The moderates, advocating constitutional methods, laid the groundwork for the wider freedom movement in colonial India. Their efforts, though criticized for being cautious, cultivated political consciousness, fostering a sense of unity and national identity. The moderates’ early endeavors paved the way for more assertive approaches, shaping the trajectory of the independence movement.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2021
UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2021
Approach
- Start with Give a brief introduction of keywords to the moderates with the context freedom movement.
- Discuss the role of the Moderates achieving their objectives in the freedom movement.
- Comment upon the issues/challenges in moderates’ ways of action and how they largely failed to achieve the larger goal.
- Conclusion accordingly.
Answer
Introduction
- The initial period of the Congress, from 1885 to 1905, is often referred to as the moderate phase. During this time, the Congress focused on specific objectives and placed a significant emphasis on strengthening its organisational structure. Key national leaders, such as Dadabhai Nao roji, P.N. Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Banerji, S.N. Banerji, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, played a dominant role in shaping Congress policies. They were strong proponents of liberalism and pursued a moderate political approach, earning them the label of “moderates.”
Body
The role of the Moderates achieving their objectives in the freedom movement: The Moderates, prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, played a significant role in advancing the freedom movement. Here is a brief summary of their contributions:
- Building the Congress: The Moderates focused on strengthening the Indian National Congress, expanding its membership, and organising annual sessions, establishing it as a unified platform for Indian representation.
- Political Awareness: They promoted political consciousness among the masses through newspapers, pamphlets, and public speeches, emphasising Indian rights, national identity, and self-governance.
- Constitutional Reforms: The Moderates demanded constitutional reforms to increase Indian participation in governance, pushing for civil liberties, freedom of speech, and the right to peaceful assembly.
- Opposition to Colonial Policies: They criticised oppressive colonial policies, addressing economic exploitation, wealth drainage, and the lack of opportunities for Indians, advocating for just governance and fair treatment.
- National Unity: The Moderates aimed to forge national unity, transcending regional and religious divides. They emphasised Hindu-Muslim unity and promoted communal harmony.
- Diplomatic Engagement: They used diplomacy to communicate with the British government, engaging in discussions, negotiations, and petitions to advocate for reforms within the colonial framework.
The issues/challenges in moderates’ ways during freedom movement: While the Moderates made significant contributions to the freedom movement, their approach and actions faced several challenges and ultimately fell short of achieving the larger goal of complete independence. Here are some key issues and challenges associated with the Moderates’ ways of action:
- Moderation and Gradualism: The Moderates preferred a moderate and gradualist approach, focusing on constitutional means and reforms within the colonial framework. However, this clashed with radical elements seeking more assertive action.
- Limited Objectives: The Moderates had specific goals like constitutional reforms and increased Indian participation in governance but did not aim for complete rejection of colonial rule, failing to resonate with those demanding full independence.
- Lack of Mass Mobilization: The Moderates struggled to effectively mobilise the masses, primarily targeting the educated elite and urban population, and failing to connect with rural and marginalised sections of society.
- Divisions and Factionalism: Internal divisions and factionalism within the Indian National Congress weakened the Moderates’ collective strength and hindered their ability to present a united front against British rule due to differences in strategies, ideologies, and regional priorities.
- Impact of Repressive Measures: The British government responded to dissent with repressive measures, such as restricting civil liberties, censorship, and crackdowns on protests, further complicating the Moderates’ ability to achieve their goals and diminishing their influence.
Conclusion
- Hence, we can say that the role of the Moderates in preparing a base for the wider freedom movement cannot be understated. Their focus on education, political awareness, organisational development, and the emphasis on peaceful means of protest laid the foundation for future leaders and mass movements. While their approach may have had limitations, it set the stage for the more vigorous and assertive struggles that followed, shaping the trajectory of the Indian freedom movement.
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