In which of the following years was the Indian National Congress split into two groups named as Moderates and Extremists?
1907
Understanding the Indian National Congress Split of 1907
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 and served as a key platform for Indian nationalist movements. Over time, differences in ideology and methods emerged among its leaders, particularly concerning the pace and approach to achieving self-governance or independence from British rule.
Emergence of Moderates and Extremists
Within the INC, two main factions developed:
- Moderates: Led by figures like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta. They believed in constitutional methods, prayers, petitions, and peaceful negotiations with the British government to achieve political reforms gradually.
- Extremists: Led by prominent leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal (often referred to as the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio), along with Aurobindo Ghosh. They advocated for more assertive methods like Swadeshi, Boycott, and passive resistance. They believed that self-rule was a right, not a privilege to be begged for.
The differences between these groups deepened, especially after the Swadeshi Movement gained momentum following the Partition of Bengal in 1905. Issues like the election of the Congress president and the resolution on Swadeshi, Boycott, National Education, and Self-Government became major points of contention.
The Surat Split 1907
The ideological differences culminated in a significant split during the annual session of the Indian National Congress held in Surat in 1907. The session was marked by intense disagreements, leading to a confrontation between the two factions.
The main points of conflict included:
- The Extremists wanted Lala Lajpat Rai or Bal Gangadhar Tilak as the president, while the Moderates supported Rash Behari Ghosh.
- Disagreements over passing resolutions on Swadeshi, Boycott, and Self-Government.
The session ended in chaos, with the two groups physically clashing, resulting in the formal split of the Indian National Congress into the Moderates and the Extremists.
Therefore, the Indian National Congress split into two groups, Moderates and Extremists, in the year 1907.
| Feature | Moderates | Extremists |
|---|---|---|
| Methods | Constitutional agitation, petitions, prayers, negotiations | Passive resistance, boycott, swadeshi, non-cooperation (early forms) |
| Goal | Gradual political reforms, self-governance within British Empire | Complete Swaraj (self-rule) |
| Belief | Believed in the goodwill of the British crown | Believed British rule was exploitative; Swaraj was a right |
| Prominent Leaders | Dadabhai Naoroji, G.K. Gokhale, P.S. Mehta | B.G. Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal |
Revision Table: Key Indian National Congress Sessions
| Year | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Bombay | First session, Congress founded |
| 1905 | Benaras | Protest against Partition of Bengal |
| 1906 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji declared 'Swaraj' as goal |
| 1907 | Surat | Split between Moderates and Extremists |
| 1916 | Lucknow | Reunion of Moderates and Extremists, Lucknow Pact (Congress-League) |
Additional Information on the Split
The Surat Split significantly weakened the Indian nationalist movement temporarily. The Moderates retained control of the Congress. Many Extremist leaders were arrested or went into exile. The split lasted until 1916 when the two factions reunited at the Lucknow session, largely due to the efforts of Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Understanding the differences between the Moderates and Extremists is crucial for comprehending the evolution of the Indian freedom struggle.
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