There were different reasons behind the emergence of nationalism among the people of India due to which people wanted to free their country from the British.

British were capturing and controlling different kingdoms across India. They introduced various new laws and constructed administrative institutions. Creating troubles and controlling the lives of peasants and tribals.

Changes occurred in the education system during the nineteenth century. Huge declination of crafts and increase in the number of industries. Social and religious reforms and The Revolt of 1857 occurred.

This consciousness among people leads to begin some political associations -

Association of Landholders

• Landholders Society formed in 1837 and Bengal British India society in 1843 merged together and formed the British Indian Association.
• Bengal Association and Madras Native Association established in 1852 sent some petitions to end the Company’s monopoly of salt and indigo.
• To promote reforms and political consciousness among people, associations like Poona Sarvajanik Sabha were established.
• In 1884, Madras Mahajan Sabha and Bombay Presidency Association were established.
• National Conference (1883) and Indian National(1884) merged to form the Indian National Congress.

Indian National Congress

• This was formed in the year 1885.
• Their first meeting in Bombay was set up by A.O. Hume at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College on 28 December 1885.
• The first president of the Indian National Congress was W.C. Banerjee.
• The main purpose of A.O. Hume to establish and encouraging this association was probably to provide a “safety valve” to the growing discontent among the educated Indians.

Aims of Indian National Congress

• Contribution and willingly participation of countrymen in the struggle.
• To create a feeling of unity among the people of India irrespective of their caste, race, religion, or provinces.
• Presenting demands against the Government through petitions.
• To organize public opinion and training.
• Making the sentiments of national unity together.
• Listening and making records of the people with problems and their opinions.
• Formation of future plans in the public interest.

Methods of Moderate Phase

• Early congressmen wanted to work peacefully and constitutional agitation was their motto.
• Their instruments were petitions and prayers.
• Their sessions lasted only for three days a year.
• They believed that there is some good in the British nation and all things would go easy on us if the British started taking into consideration public affairs in India.
• Also, a British Committee of INC was founded in 1889.

Important sessions of the Indian National Congress

The repressive measures adopted by The British Government gave rise to extremists within Congress like Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal, Bal, Pal).

The Indian National Congress split into Extremist and Moderates. Moderates are those who confided in British justice and generosity.

Due to the following events, the Indian National Congress was divided into moderates and extremists, and the event is known as the Surat split.

Partition of Bengal

• Lord Curzon in 1905, after a royal proclamation, ordered Partition of Bengal. Also creating Assam and East Bengal out of the rest of Bengal.
• The aim was to set up a religious gap between the Hindus and Muslims.
• Indian National Movement entered into the second phase after this partition.

Swadeshi Movement Impacts

• Swadeshi Movement is a stepping stone of the Nationalist Movement. It led to the beginning of the organized political movement in India.
• There is a rise in the Neo-Nationalist Movement.
• Boycott of Foreign Goods.
• The split of Indian National Congress in Surat session.
• There arises a concept of National Education.
• The emergence of Indian literature and art.

Conflict and Split in the Indian National Congress

• Among the Moderates of Bombay, Bal Ganghadhar Tilak was unpopular due to his revolutionary actions and ideas.
• In the Calcutta session of Congress in 1906, Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh wanted Tilak to become the President of the Congress. But the others were not ready for this.
• Other members think that Tilak’s thinking was different. He has different thoughts about the British.
• So, the Moderates were in no mood of accepting him.
• Ultimately there is a decision made hurriedly and taking considerations of partitions of Bengal, Swadeshi, and Boycott they made a clear oar=th out of the open session.
• With the foundation of Deccan Sabha, there occurs a division of Extremists and the Moderates in Maharashtra.

In the first two decades (1885-1905) the Indian National Congress was quite moderate.

The Moderates

• The early programs of Congress during the first phase of the Freedom movements, that is, from 1885 to 1905, were very moderate.
• They demanded constitutional reforms which are mild. They also demanded economic relief, administrative reorganization, and the protection of civil rights.
• The nationalists during this time focus on a strong point about the economic drain of India. They were concerned about the economic conditions of India and its people.
• Political methods of the Moderates were confined under the constitutional agitations. They believed in the goodness of the British Government.
• Moderates believed that the British people don’t know about the true state affairs of India and if they know about them they will surely take certain measures to improve it.
• They use petitions to aware the government of the reforms and public interests.

The Other Important Demands

• There should be an organization of the provincial councils.
• Simultaneous Holding of Examinations for the I.C.S. in India and England.
• Demand for the reconstitution of the Indian Council, 1892.
• There should be appointments of Indians in the commissioned ranks of the army.

• More Indians should be appointed in the higher posts of officer ranks as on economic, political and moral grounds.
• The moderates were cautious during the demands. They don’t want to annoy the government and risk their suppression.

Prominent Leaders of The Moderates

• Surendranath Banerjee – He merged the Indian National conference with the Indian National Congress in 1886. He becomes president over the two sessions in 1895 and 1902.
• Dadabhai Naoroji – He is also going by the name, “Grand Old Man of India”. He was elected as president of the INC in 1886,1893. He also founded the London Indian Society.
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale – He is known as the “Political Guru of Gandhi” as he was the one who guided Mahatma Gandhi to travel across India to fight against the British.
• Some other leaders were Madan Mohan Malviya, P. Ananda Charlu, William Wedderburn, M G Ranade, Pherozshah Mehta, and Rash Behari Ghosh.

Failure of The Moderates

For their generous methods towards the British, they were often criticized. Their methods of sending petitions and passing resolutions were also a point of criticism by some people.

They were seemed to forget that the Britishers were the ones using India’s resources to increase their wealth. Due to their limited influence on the people, they were failed to gather mainstream masses.

FAQs

Question. What is the Moderate Phase of Indian Nationalism?

Question. Who were the prominent leaders of the Moderate Phase?

Question. What were the key goals of the Moderate Phase of Indian Nationalism?

Question. How did the Moderate Phase differ from the later phases of Indian Nationalism?

Question. What role did the Indian National Congress (INC) play during the Moderate Phase?

MCQs

1. Which of the following leaders was associated with the Moderate Phase of Indian Nationalism?

a) Subhas Chandra Bose

b) Lala Lajpat Rai

c) Dadabhai Naoroji

d) Bhagat Singh

2. What was the main aim of the Indian National Congress during the Moderate Phase?

a) Complete independence

b) Immediate partition of India

c) Self-rule within the British Empire

d) Revolution against British rule

3. Who among the following leaders was closely associated with the establishment of the Indian National Congress (INC)?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru

b) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

c) Lala Lajpat Rai

d) Pherozeshah Mehta

4. What was the significance of the "Drain of Wealth" theory, advocated by Dadabhai Naoroji?

a) To support the idea of British economic investments in India

b) To highlight the exploitation of Indian resources by the British

c) To encourage British policies of industrial development in India

d) To promote the export of Indian goods to Britain

5. What was the strategy employed by the Moderates to achieve their goals?

a) Armed revolution

b) Constitutional methods and petitions

c) Mass movements and strikes

d) Non-cooperation with the British

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the main objectives and methods used by the Moderate Phase of Indian Nationalism.

Answer: The Moderate Phase of Indian Nationalism, which spanned from 1885 to 1905, was characterized by a belief in achieving self-rule through constitutional means. The leaders of this phase, such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta, focused on educating the masses about their political rights and sought gradual reforms within the British colonial system. Their objectives included greater representation for Indians in legislative bodies, improvement of the Indian economy, and civil rights. They used constitutional methods such as petitions, discussions, and demands for reforms from the British government. They believed that through these methods, India could achieve political self-rule without resorting to radical actions.

Q2: Evaluate the role of the Indian National Congress (INC) during the Moderate Phase.

Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC) played a pivotal role during the Moderate Phase by providing a platform for political dialogue between Indians and the British government. The INC, under the leadership of moderate leaders, advocated for reforms such as the expansion of the legislative councils, the right to vote for educated Indians, and the reduction of taxes. It focused on peaceful methods such as petitions and discussions to gain political concessions from the British. However, despite their efforts, the failure to bring about substantial reforms led to frustration among the people, eventually giving rise to more radical approaches in the subsequent phases of the nationalist movement.

Q3: Analyze the impact of the "Drain of Wealth" theory on the Indian nationalist movement.

Answer: The "Drain of Wealth" theory, articulated by Dadabhai Naoroji, had a profound impact on the Indian nationalist movement. By highlighting how British colonial policies were draining India's resources and wealth, Naoroji provided a compelling argument for economic self-reliance. The theory not only drew attention to the economic exploitation of India but also fostered greater awareness about the economic dimensions of British rule. This theory became a cornerstone for future economic nationalism and strengthened the demand for political self-rule. It also led to greater public consciousness about the need for reform and contributed to the overall momentum for India's independence movement.

Previous Year Questions on Indian Nationalism

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: "What was the role of the Indian National Congress in the Moderate Phase of Indian Nationalism?"

Answer: The Indian National Congress played a critical role in the Moderate Phase by focusing on constitutional methods, seeking reforms from the British government, and educating Indians about their political rights. The INC worked towards achieving self-rule through petitions, discussions, and peaceful agitation, laying the foundation for the later stages of the Indian independence movement.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "How did the leadership and policies of the Moderates influence the Indian National Congress during its early years?"

Answer: The leadership of Moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta shaped the early years of the Indian National Congress by emphasizing constitutional methods, dialogue with the British, and gradual reforms. Their policies focused on securing Indian representation in the British Parliament, improving economic conditions, and advocating for civil rights. Though their approach was peaceful and reformist, it set the stage for the later shift towards more radical methods in the face of British resistance.