Moderates and Extremists in Congress

31. Which extremist leader of the freedom movement was given 6 years jail punishment in 1908? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Bipin Chandra Pal
(b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(c) Lala Lajpat Rai
(d) Arvind Ghosh

Correct Answer: (b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Solution:In 1908, Tilak was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. He was deported to Burma and kept in Mandalay Jail. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, was a prominent Indian nationalist, widely regarded as Lokmanya, meaning "accepted by the people as their leader." Tilak was one of the most influential leaders in the freedom struggle and a member of the famous Lal-Bal-Pal trio, along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal. Tilak was among the first to strongly advocate for Swaraj (self-rule) and a staunch advocate of Hindu culture, social reforms, and education. The British labelled him "The father of Indian unrest" for his radical stance against colonial rule. Lokmanya Tilak joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1890 and quickly emerged as a prominent leader opposing the party's moderate stance, particularly regarding the fight for self-government. Alongside other extremist leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, he advocated for Swaraj (self-rule). Tilak's association with the INC was characterized by his strong views on nationalism and his push for mass participation in the freedom movement. His influence was especially evident during the Swadeshi movement of 1905-1907, which intensified the ideological divide within the INC and ultimately led to the Surat Split in 1907. He was never elected as President of Congress

32. In 1908, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was imprisoned for – [43rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1999]

(a) 5 years
(b) 6 years
(c) 7 years
(d) 8 years

Correct Answer: (b) 6 years

Solution:In 1908, Tilak was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. He was deported to Burma and kept in Mandalay Jail. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, was a prominent Indian nationalist, widely regarded as Lokmanya, meaning "accepted by the people as their leader." Tilak was one of the most influential leaders in the freedom struggle and a member of the famous Lal-Bal-Pal trio, along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal. Tilak was among the first to strongly advocate for Swaraj (self-rule) and a staunch advocate of Hindu culture, social reforms, and education. The British labelled him "The father of Indian unrest" for his radical stance against colonial rule. Lokmanya Tilak joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1890 and quickly emerged as a prominent leader opposing the party's moderate stance, particularly regarding the fight for self-government. Alongside other extremist leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, he advocated for Swaraj (self-rule). Tilak's association with the INC was characterized by his strong views on nationalism and his push for mass participation in the freedom movement. His influence was especially evident during the Swadeshi movement of 1905-1907, which intensified the ideological divide within the INC and ultimately led to the Surat Split in 1907. He was never elected as President of Congress

33. Which one of the following defines extremist ideology during the early phase of the Indian freedom movement? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

(a) Stimulating the production of indigenous articles by giving them preference over imported commodities.
(b) Obtaining self-Government by aggressive means in place of petitions and constitutional ways.
(c) Providing national education according to the requirements of the country.
(d) Organizing coups against the British empire through military revolt.

Correct Answer: (b) Obtaining self-Government by aggressive means in place of petitions and constitutional ways.

Solution:Moderates believed in constitutional methods of British Laws, adopting proposals and delegations to London for negotiation and discussion. On the other hand, extremists believed in aggressive protests, self-sacrifices and determination at the beginning of the Indian Independence Movement. Independence meant for extremists as complete independence from foreign control, while moderates meant independence as self-governance under colonial rule.

34. The Indian Muslims, in general, were not attracted to the extremist movement because of the: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

(a) influence of Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan
(b) anti-Muslim attitude of extremist leaders
(c) the indiffernce is shown to Muslim aspirations
(d) extremists policy of harping on Hindu part

Correct Answer: (d) extremists policy of harping on Hindu part

Solution:Indian Muslims, in general, were not attracted to the extremist movement because of the extremist policy of harping on Hindu part. Aurobindo Ghosh proclaimed that 'Independence is the purpose of our lives and only Hindu religion will fulfil this objective. Nationality is a religion, and it is a gift of God.

35. Assertion (A) : Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a communalist. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2001]

Reason (R) : He used the religion as a political weapon.

Select your answer by using the codes given below:

(a) A and R both are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) A and R both are correct, but the R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is correct, but R is wrong.
(d) A is wrong, but R is correct.

Correct Answer: (d) A is wrong, but R is correct.

Solution:The assertion (A) in the question is not correct because Bal Gangadhar Tilak was actually a staunch nationalist who supported for 'Swaraj' as the birthright of every Indian and in this way, he tried to make close contact with the people of India and his view was considered as a pioneer of M.K. Gandhi. He started ‘Ganapati Parva’ and ‘Shivaji Mahotsava’ in Maharashtra to enthuse nationalist feelings among masses. On the other hand, he used religion as a political weapon but not for communal purposes.

36. Ganpati festival in Maharashtra was started by: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005 U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) B.G. Tilak
(b) M.G. Ranade
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal
(d) Aurobindo Ghosh

Correct Answer: (a) B.G. Tilak

Solution:The assertion (A) in the question is not correct because Bal Gangadhar Tilak was actually a staunch nationalist who supported for 'Swaraj' as the birthright of every Indian and in this way, he tried to make close contact with the people of India and his view was considered as a pioneer of M.K. Gandhi. He started ‘Ganapati Parva’ and ‘Shivaji Mahotsava’ in Maharashtra to enthuse nationalist feelings among masses. On the other hand, he used religion as a political weapon but not for communal purposes.

37. Who among the following transformed the traditional Ganapati festival of Maharashtra into a national festival and gave it a political character? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

(a) Ramdas
(b) Shivaji
(c) Mahadev Govind Ranade
(d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Correct Answer: (d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Solution:Bal Gangadhar Tilak was actually a staunch nationalist who supported for 'Swaraj' as the birthright of every Indian and in this way, he tried to make close contact with the people of India and his view was considered as a pioneer of M.K. Gandhi. He started ‘Ganapati Parva’ and ‘Shivaji Mahotsava’ in Maharashtra to enthuse nationalist feelings among masses. On the other hand, he used religion as a political weapon but not for communal purposes.

38. Who among the following started 'Ganeshotsav' in Maharashtra? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Bipin Chandra Pal
(b) Govind Ranade
(c) Lala Lajpat Rai
(d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak