Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, marked the beginning of organized nationalism in India. The initial phase of the Congress, dominated by Moderate leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, was characterized by a belief in constitutional methods and a faith in British justice. However, this period has often been criticized for its limited scope and the detached nature of political participation. The statement, “Politics remained for the bulk of the Moderates very much a part-time affair. The Congress was not a political party, but an annual three-day show…”, encapsulates this critique, suggesting a lack of sustained political engagement and a superficial approach to nation-building. This answer will explore the validity of this assessment, examining the nature of Moderate politics and the functioning of the early Congress.
The Socio-Political Context and the Rise of Moderates
The emergence of the Moderates was rooted in the socio-economic changes brought about by British rule. The development of modern education, the growth of a professional class, and the expansion of the press created a stratum of educated Indians who were aware of political developments in other parts of the world. They believed in achieving political reforms through peaceful and constitutional means, appealing to the British sense of justice and fair play. They were largely drawn from the upper and middle classes – lawyers, teachers, journalists, and landlords.
Characteristics of Moderate Politics
Moderate politics was defined by several key characteristics:
- Constitutional Methods: Moderates primarily used methods like petitions, memoranda, resolutions, and public meetings to voice their demands. They believed in working within the existing political framework.
- Faith in British Justice: They had unwavering faith in the British system of governance and believed that the British would eventually grant India greater political rights.
- Gradual Reforms: They advocated for gradual and incremental reforms rather than demanding immediate self-governance.
- Limited Mass Base: Their support base was largely confined to the educated elite and lacked widespread popular participation.
- Economic Critique: They highlighted the economic drain of India caused by British policies, as famously articulated by Dadabhai Naoroji in his ‘Poverty and Un-British Rule in India’ (1901).
The Congress as a ‘Three-Day Show’
The early Congress sessions, held annually, were often criticized for being a ‘three-day show’. This criticism stemmed from several factors:
- Annual Nature: The Congress met only once a year, and political activity remained largely dormant for the rest of the year.
- Elite Participation: The sessions were dominated by elite leaders and lacked significant participation from the masses.
- Limited Agenda: The agenda of the Congress sessions was often limited to passing resolutions and making representations to the British government. There was little focus on building a sustained political movement or mobilizing public opinion.
- Social Gatherings: The sessions often resembled social gatherings with elaborate receptions and banquets, rather than serious political deliberations.
‘Part-Time’ Political Involvement
The assertion that politics was a ‘part-time affair’ for the Moderates is largely accurate. Most Moderate leaders had other professional commitments – law, teaching, journalism – and devoted only a portion of their time to political activities. This limited their ability to build a strong and sustained political movement. For example:
- Dadabhai Naoroji: A successful businessman and professor of economics, his political work was often interspersed with his professional commitments.
- Surendranath Banerjee: Primarily a journalist and educator, his political activism was often constrained by his other responsibilities.
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale: A teacher and social reformer, his political involvement was balanced with his educational and social work.
Limitations and Criticisms
The Moderate approach faced several criticisms:
- Lack of Mass Mobilization: Their failure to mobilize the masses limited their political leverage.
- Over-reliance on British Goodwill: Their faith in British justice proved to be misplaced, as the British government often ignored their demands.
- Limited Political Demands: Their demands for gradual reforms were seen as insufficient by more radical nationalists.
- Social Conservatism: Their reluctance to address social issues like caste discrimination hindered their ability to gain wider support.
The Shift Towards Extremism
The limitations of the Moderate approach paved the way for the rise of extremist nationalism in the early 20th century. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai advocated for more assertive methods of political action, including boycotts and swadeshi. The partition of Bengal in 1905 served as a catalyst for this shift, exposing the limitations of Moderate politics and fueling popular discontent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the assessment that politics was a ‘part-time affair’ for the Moderates and the Congress a ‘three-day show’ holds considerable validity. While the Moderates played a crucial role in laying the foundation for Indian nationalism and raising political awareness, their limited scope, elite character, and reliance on constitutional methods hindered their ability to achieve substantial political gains. Their approach, while understandable in the context of the time, ultimately proved inadequate to address the growing demands for self-governance, leading to the emergence of a more assertive and mass-based nationalist movement. The early Congress, therefore, served as an important starting point, but its limitations necessitated a more dynamic and inclusive approach to achieve India’s independence.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.