Subject: Modern History

Answer:

The 'Moderates' dominated the Indian National Congress from 1885 to 1905, led by distinguished leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta. Their approach of constitutional agitation and gradual reforms, though initially effective, failed to resonate with the masses by the late 19th century due to multiple factors.

Limitations of Moderate Ideology

• Elite-Centric Approach: The Moderates primarily represented the educated urban elite, disconnected from rural masses and their immediate concerns like poverty and agrarian distress.

• Constitutional Methods: Their faith in British sense of justice through petitions and memorandums proved ineffective as seen in the rejection of Indian Council Act of 1892 demands.

• Language Barrier: Use of English in communications and deliberations limited their reach to educated classes, alienating the vast non-English speaking population.

Political and Economic Failures

• Economic Drain Theory: Despite Dadabhai Naoroji's powerful exposition of the drain of wealth, they failed to transform it into mass movement against British economic exploitation.

• Limited Reforms: Achievement of minor reforms like Indian Councils Act 1892 and Public Service Commission failed to address core political aspirations of complete independence.

• Political Strategy: Their belief in British goodwill proved misplaced as evidenced by the Partition of Bengal (1905) and rejection of Ilbert Bill (1883).

Social and Organizational Weaknesses

• Annual Sessions: The Congress met only once a year, making it difficult to maintain continuous political pressure on the British government.

• Lack of Mass Base: Absence of mass contact programs and grassroots organization limited their influence to urban centers.

• Conservative Social Outlook: Their cautious approach to social reforms failed to inspire younger generation seeking radical changes.

External Challenges

• British Attitude: The colonial government's increasingly repressive policies like the Vernacular Press Act (1878) and Arms Act (1878) exposed limitations of moderate methods.

• Rising Extremism: Emergence of militant nationalism under leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak highlighted the inadequacies of moderate approach.

The failure of Moderates paved way for the rise of Extremist leadership in the early 20th century, marking a significant shift in India's freedom struggle. Their contribution, however, laid the foundation for organized political movement and economic nationalism, establishing crucial precedents for future nationalist leaders.