Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Indian nationalist movement, culminating in independence in 1947, didn't emerge spontaneously. Its roots lie in the activities of early nationalists often referred to as ‘Moderates’ (roughly 1885-1905). These leaders, largely educated professionals, initiated a political awakening through reasoned arguments, constitutional methods, and a focus on socio-economic reforms. While often criticized for their limited scope and elitist character, the Moderates played a pivotal role in establishing the political infrastructure and ideological groundwork upon which the wider freedom movement was built. This answer will examine the extent to which their contributions prepared the base for subsequent, more assertive phases of the struggle.
Early Nationalist Foundations (1885-1905)
The formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885, largely facilitated by A.O. Hume, marked the formal beginning of organized nationalism. The Moderates, including leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, dominated the INC during its initial phase.
Methods and Demands of the Moderates
- Constitutional Methods: The Moderates firmly believed in peaceful and constitutional means of agitation – petitions, memoranda, public meetings, and press campaigns. They eschewed violence and revolutionary tactics.
- Economic Critique: Dadabhai Naoroji’s ‘Drain of Wealth’ theory (1901) exposed the exploitative nature of British economic policies and its detrimental impact on India. This provided a powerful economic critique of colonialism.
- Administrative Reforms: They demanded administrative reforms like Indian representation in the civil services, separation of the judiciary from the executive, and reforms in the police system.
- Political Rights: Gradual expansion of legislative councils and greater Indian participation in governance were key demands.
- Social Reform: Moderates also advocated for social reforms like the abolition of child marriage, promotion of widow remarriage, and education for women.
Impact and Limitations
The Moderates’ impact was significant in several ways:
- Political Awareness: They fostered a sense of national consciousness and political awareness among the educated elite.
- Development of Political Institutions: The INC provided a platform for political dialogue, organization, and leadership development.
- Exposure of British Rule: Their critiques of British policies exposed the exploitative nature of colonial rule.
- Foundation for Future Movements: They laid the groundwork for future movements by articulating grievances and demands.
However, the Moderates also faced limitations:
- Narrow Social Base: Their movement was largely confined to the educated elite and lacked broad popular support.
- Moderate Demands: Their demands were often considered too moderate and failed to address the deep-seated grievances of the masses.
- Lack of Mass Mobilization: They did not effectively mobilize the peasantry or the working class.
- Faith in British Justice: Their continued faith in British justice and fairness proved to be a weakness.
Transition to Assertive Nationalism
The limitations of the Moderate approach became increasingly apparent in the early 20th century. The Partition of Bengal (1905) and the subsequent Swadeshi movement exposed the repressive nature of British rule and fueled the rise of assertive nationalism, represented by the Extremists (Lal, Bal, Pal). The Moderates’ reluctance to embrace mass mobilization and their faith in constitutional methods were increasingly seen as inadequate. However, the political consciousness they had created provided fertile ground for the growth of these more radical movements.
| Moderates (1885-1905) | Extremists (1905-1917) |
|---|---|
| Constitutional methods, petitions | Boycott, Swadeshi, National Education |
| Faith in British justice | Distrust of British rule |
| Limited social base (educated elite) | Wider social base (students, peasants) |
| Gradual reforms | Immediate self-rule |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Moderates’ approach was limited by its elitist character and moderate demands, their contribution to the wider freedom movement was undeniably significant. They laid the essential foundations of political organization, fostered national consciousness, and articulated the economic and political grievances of Indians. Their work created a political climate conducive to the emergence of more assertive nationalist movements, ultimately paving the way for India’s independence. They were the pioneers who initiated the process of political awakening, and their legacy continued to shape the trajectory of the Indian freedom struggle.
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.