FAQs

MCQs

1. Who among the following was not a part of the Moderate faction during the Indian freedom struggle?

A) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

B) Dadabhai Naoroji

C) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

D) Surendranath Banerjee

2. What was the main aim of the Indian National Congress during the moderate phase of the freedom struggle?

A) To attain complete independence from British rule

B) To demand greater Indian representation in the legislative councils

C) To oppose British colonial rule through violent methods

D) To promote the idea of separate Muslim states

3. Which of the following was a significant demand made by the Moderate Class during the Indian freedom struggle?

A) Complete independence from Britain

B) Recognition of the Indian National Congress as the sole representative of the Indian people

C) The introduction of reforms in the Indian Civil Services

D) Immediate self-rule for India

4. Which Act passed by the British government in 1892 increased Indian representation in legislative councils?

A) Indian Councils Act 1861

B) Indian Councils Act 1892

C) Government of India Act 1919

D) Indian Independence Act 1947

5. The Moderates in the Indian National Congress followed which approach to achieving their goals?

A) Violent resistance

B) Constitutional methods and petitions

C) Revolutionary methods

D) Support for British colonialism

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the significance of the Moderate phase in the Indian freedom struggle and its impact on later stages of the movement.

Answer: The Moderate phase, from 1885 to 1905, was crucial in setting the foundation for the Indian freedom movement. - The Indian National Congress, under Moderate leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee, focused on constitutional reforms and sought greater representation for Indians in legislative councils. - They adopted peaceful and legal methods, such as petitions, deputations, and resolutions, to demand political rights and redressal of grievances. This phase also witnessed the formulation of key demands such as reforms in the Civil Services and the Indian Councils Act. - Though the impact was gradual, the Moderate phase helped in building political consciousness among the Indian masses and provided a platform for future leaders, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who would later adopt more radical methods.

Q2: How did the demands of the Moderates differ from those of the Extremists in the Indian National Congress?

Answer: The primary difference between the demands of the Moderates and Extremists was their approach to achieving Indian self-rule. - The Moderates, led by leaders like Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, believed in a gradual and constitutional approach. They sought political reforms within the British framework, such as increased representation in the legislative councils and reforms in the Indian Civil Services. - In contrast, the Extremists, led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, were more aggressive in their demands and methods. They called for immediate self-rule and the use of direct action, mass mobilization, and even non-cooperation with the British government. - While the Moderates worked within the British system, the Extremists wanted a more radical departure from British colonialism.

Q3: Discuss the impact of the Partition of Bengal (1905) on the Indian National Congress and the course of the freedom struggle.

Answer: The Partition of Bengal in 1905 had a significant impact on the Indian National Congress and the broader freedom struggle. - Initially, the partition was intended by the British as a “divide and rule” strategy, aimed at splitting the Bengali population along religious lines. - The Moderates in the Congress, who had been advocating for reforms, were stunned by this move. In contrast, the Extremists, led by Tilak, opposed the partition and saw it as a symbol of British malfeasance. - The partition united the Indian masses in opposition to the British, leading to a surge in nationalist sentiment. - This event marked the decline of the Moderate faction's influence within the Congress and the rise of the Extremists, who advocated for more radical methods of resistance. - The partition was reversed in 1911, but the event became a pivotal moment in the history of the Indian freedom movement, accelerating the demand for independence.

Previous Year Questions on  Constitutional

1. UPSC CSE 2021:

Question: Discuss the role of the Indian National Congress in the early stages of the freedom movement. How did the constitutional demands of the Moderates shape the political landscape of British India?

Answer: The Indian National Congress played a central role in organizing Indian political thought and raising constitutional demands for greater representation and reforms. Initially, the Congress focused on reforms like the Indian Councils Act 1892 and the introduction of more Indians into civil services. This laid the groundwork for future mass movements.

2. UPSC CSE 2019:

Question: How did the demands of the Moderates in the Indian National Congress contrast with the rise of more radical elements during the early 20th century?

Answer: The Moderates advocated for gradual reforms within the British colonial framework, aiming for political rights and representation. The Extremists, on the other hand, believed in direct action and immediate self-rule. The rise of the Extremists was fueled by dissatisfaction with the slow pace of reform, culminating in mass mobilization and protests against colonial policies like the Partition of Bengal.