The Movement under Extremist Leadership

The period after 1905 saw the dominance of Extremists in the leadership of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal. Several factors contributed to this shift:

1. Failure of Moderate-Led Movement:
• The Moderate-led movement, which favored a gradual and constitutional approach, had not achieved the desired results.
• Discontent grew among nationalists who felt that the Moderates' methods were insufficient in addressing the pressing issues.
2. Divisive Tactics by the Government:
• The divisive tactics employed by the government of both Bengals, such as the partition itself and subsequent repressive measures, embittered nationalists.
• Atrocities on students, corporal punishment, bans on activities like public singing of Vande Mataram, restrictions on meetings, and arrests of leaders fueled resentment.
3. Suppressive Measures by the Government:
• The government resorted to suppressive measures, including the use of force against students, arrests, deportations of leaders, and curtailment of press freedom.
• These actions intensified opposition to colonial rule and created a conducive environment for more radical and assertive leadership.

Extremist Programme:

• Dadabhai Naoroji's declaration at the Calcutta session of 1906 that self-government (swaraj) was the goal of the Congress emboldened the Extremists.
• The Extremists, including leaders like Aurobindo Ghosh, called for passive resistance along with swadeshi and boycott.
• Passive resistance involved boycotting government institutions, including schools, colleges, service, courts, legislative councils, municipalities, and government titles.
• Aurobindo articulated the purpose as making the administration impossible through an organized refusal to support British commerce or officialdom.

Slogan of Independence:

• The Extremists aimed to transform the anti-partition and Swadeshi Movement into a mass struggle.
• They introduced the slogan of India's independence from foreign rule, making it the central idea in Indian politics.
• Aurobindo emphasized that political freedom was the lifebreath of the nation, and independence should be achieved through self-sacrifice.

Overall, the Extremists sought to escalate the nationalist movement, moving beyond economic protests to a broader political struggle with the ultimate goal of India's independence.

The Swadeshi Movement, under militant nationalist leadership, introduced several innovative forms of struggle and had a profound impact on various aspects of Indian society:

1. Boycott of Foreign Goods:
• The movement advocated the boycott and public burning of foreign cloth, sugar, and salt.
• Priests refused to ritualize marriages involving the exchange of foreign goods, and washermen refused to wash foreign clothes.
• This form of protest gained widespread popularity and practical success.
2. Public Meetings and Processions:
• Public meetings and processions became crucial methods for mass mobilization and popular expression.
• These events were not only platforms for expressing dissent but also effective means of reaching out to the masses.
3. Corps of Volunteers or 'Samitis':
• Samitis, like the Swadesh Bandhab Samiti in Barisal and the Swadeshi Sangam in Tirunelveli, played a crucial role in mass mobilization.
• These organizations raised political consciousness through various activities such as magic lantern lectures, swadeshi songs, physical and moral training, social work, organization of schools, and training in swadeshi crafts.
4. Use of Traditional Popular Festivals and Melas:
• Traditional festivals and occasions were utilized to spread political messages and connect with the masses.
• Tilak's Ganapati and Shivaji festivals in western India and the use of traditional folk theatre in Bengal were examples of leveraging cultural events for political purposes.
5. Emphasis on Self-Reliance:
• The movement emphasized self-reliance ('atma shakti') as a means of asserting national dignity, honor, and confidence.
• It included campaigns against social issues like caste oppression, early marriage, dowry system, and alcohol consumption.
6. Programme of Swadeshi or National Education:
• The movement led to a boycott of British educational institutions, resulting in the founding of national schools.
• The National Council of Education was established in 1906, promoting literary, scientific, and technical education on national lines.
• Education was imparted through the vernacular medium, emphasizing self-help and independence.
7. Swadeshi or Indigenous Enterprises:
• Swadeshi spirit found expression in the establishment of swadeshi textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, and insurance companies.
• V.O. Chidambaram Pillai's Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company challenged the British Indian Steam Navigation Company.
8. Impact in the Cultural Sphere:
• Nationalists drew inspiration from songs written by Rabindranath Tagore, Rajnikant Sen, Dwijendralal Ray, and others.
• Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose made significant contributions to art, breaking away from Victorian naturalism and drawing inspiration from Indian art traditions.
• In science, Jagdish Chandra Bose, Prafullachandra Roy, and others pioneered original research, gaining global recognition.

The Swadeshi Movement thus had a multifaceted impact, shaping not only political but also cultural, economic, and educational aspects of Indian society.

The Swadeshi Movement witnessed a diverse range of participation, which expanded its social base and geographical reach. Here's a breakdown of the extent of mass participation in various segments of society:

1. Students:
• Students were at the forefront of the Swadeshi Movement, particularly in regions like Bengal, Maharashtra, and parts of South India.
• They participated actively in picketing shops selling foreign goods and played a pivotal role in organizing protests.
• However, their involvement was met with severe repression from the authorities, including penalties for educational institutions and punitive actions against students.
2. Women:
• Urban middle-class women, traditionally confined to domestic roles, actively participated in processions and picketing.
• Their involvement marked a significant shift in their role in the national movement, setting the stage for their continued participation in subsequent struggles.
3. Muslims:
• While some Muslims, such as Barrister Abdul Rasul, Liaqat Hussain, and Maulana Azad, participated in the movement, a significant section, particularly the upper and middle classes, remained aloof.
• The creation of the All-India Muslim League in 1905 as an anti-Congress front further divided the Muslim community's stance on the Swadeshi Movement.
• The movement's Hindu-centric approach, invoking Hindu festivals and goddesses, also alienated many Muslims.
4. Labour Unrest and Trade Unions:
• The movement witnessed significant labor unrest, with strikes erupting in various industries, including jute mills, railways, and foreign-owned companies.
• Leaders like Subramania Siva, Chidambaram Pillai, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Ajit Singh played crucial roles in organizing and leading these strikes.
• The strikes highlighted the economic grievances of the working class and their demand for improved working conditions and rights.
5. Geographical Spread:
• The movement transcended Bengal and resonated across India, with movements in support of Bengal's unity and the Swadeshi agitation organized in various regions.
• Leaders like Tilak played instrumental roles in spreading the movement beyond Bengal, emphasizing the need for a unified struggle against British rule.

In summary, the Swadeshi Movement's mass participation encompassed students, women, laborers, and various communities across India. While it brought together diverse segments of society under a common nationalist banner, challenges remained, particularly in bridging communal divides and addressing the diverse aspirations of different groups.