The Moderate Path: Indian National Congress (1885-1905)

Their core methods involved appealing to the British government through formal means:

• Petitions: Submitting petitions and memoranda to government officials in India and to the British Parliament outlining grievances and demanding reforms.
• Prayers: Making appeals to the British sense of justice and fairness, hoping to persuade them through moral arguments.
• Protests: Organizing constitutional and peaceful protests, public meetings, and resolutions, all within the legal framework.

The INC held annual sessions in different parts of the country. These sessions served as platforms for:

• Deliberating on national issues.
• Passing resolutions on various demands.
• Presidential addresses outlining the political agenda.
• Networking among nationalist leaders.

Many Moderate leaders were journalists or associated with newspapers (both English and vernacular). They used these platforms to:

• Educate public opinion on political and economic issues.
• Criticize unpopular government policies.
• Mobilize support for their demands.
• Public meetings were also organized to disseminate ideas and build consensus.

Believing in the efficacy of influencing British public opinion and Parliament, the Moderates regularly sent deputations to England.

• Example: Dadabhai Naoroji spent a significant part of his life in England, advocating India's cause, and was elected to the British Parliament in 1892.
• The British Committee of the Indian National Congress was established in London in 1889, publishing a journal called India to present the Indian viewpoint.

They believed that the British public and Parliament were essentially liberal and would grant reforms once convinced of the justice of Indian demands.

• Expansion and reform of Legislative Councils: Demanded an increase in the number of Indian members in the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils.
• Increased representation of Indians in councils through elections: Advocated for the introduction of the elective principle, rather than mere nomination.
• More powers to councils: Demanded greater powers for the councils, including the right to discuss the budget, ask questions (supplementary questions), and move resolutions.

• Indianization of Civil Services: A central demand for holding simultaneous ICS examinations in India and England, and raising the maximum age limit.
• Separation of Judiciary from the Executive: To ensure impartiality in the justice system.
• Repeal of repressive laws: Such as the Arms Act (1878) and the Vernacular Press Act (1878).
• Reduction in administrative expenditure: Criticized the high cost of British administration in India.
• Better treatment of Indian labourers abroad: Raised concerns about the plight of Indian indentured laborers in British colonies.

• End of Drain of Wealth: Articulated by Dadabhai Naoroji, a powerful critique of British economic exploitation.
• Reduction in land revenue demand and military expenditure: Argued that high taxes impoverished peasants and excessive military spending burdened the economy.
• Protection for Indian industries: Advocated for tariff protection for nascent Indian industries against British competition.
• Inquiry into poverty and famines: Demanded government action to alleviate poverty and prevent famines.
• Salt tax reduction/abolition: Criticized the regressive nature of the salt tax.

• Advocated for freedom of speech, press, thought, and association. They protested against any infringement of these fundamental rights.

Viceroy Lord Dufferin initially adopted a somewhat neutral, even patronizing, attitude, hoping the INC would focus on social issues and act as a channel for educated Indian opinion.

As the INC grew in strength and became more critical of government policies, demanding significant political reforms, the British attitude hardened.

• Lord Dufferin later derided the INC as representing only a "microscopic minority" of the Indian population.
• Lord Curzon (Viceroy, 1899-1905) was openly hostile, viewing the INC as a "seditious" body and famously expressed his desire to assist it to a "peaceful demise."

To weaken the growing nationalist movement, the British actively pursued the policy of "Divide and Rule."

• They encouraged communal forces, for example, by supporting Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's opposition to the INC and his efforts to keep Muslims away from the Congress, fostering a sense of separate Muslim identity.

The British adopted a dual policy:

• Carrot: Offering minor constitutional concessions (like the Indian Councils Act, 1892) to appease moderate elements.
• Stick: Repressing more radical nationalist activities and leaders.

The Moderates operated under a fundamental dilemma: their loyalty to the British Crown and belief in British justice often clashed with their growing nationalist aspirations. They sought to reconcile these by arguing that India's progress was best achieved through gradual reforms within the British framework. This approach, while pragmatic for its time, eventually proved inadequate.

The Moderates' most profound and lasting contribution was their meticulous and well-researched economic critique of colonialism. Dadabhai Naoroji's "Drain Theory" was a powerful indictment of British rule, exposing how India was being systematically impoverished. This critique:

• Demolished the myth of British benevolence.
• Provided a strong material basis for Indian nationalism.
• United diverse sections of Indians by highlighting a common cause of economic suffering.
• Became a potent tool for mobilizing public opinion and shaping the nationalist agenda for decades.

While the term "political mendicancy" (coined by Extremists) was a harsh critique, it's important to understand the context:

• Nascent Stage: The nationalist movement was in its infancy, lacking mass support and organizational strength for more radical methods.
• Repressive Colonial State: The British government was powerful and willing to suppress any direct challenge. Constitutional agitation was perhaps the only viable option initially.
• Genuine Belief: Many Moderates genuinely believed in the efficacy of appealing to British justice.

However, the limitations of this approach became increasingly apparent as British intransigence continued, paving the way for more assertive forms of nationalism.

Despite their limited direct achievements, the Moderates played an indispensable role:

• Created National Consciousness: They were the first to articulate a pan-Indian national identity and demands.
• Political Training: They trained a generation of Indians in political work and leadership.
• Exposed Colonialism: Their critiques, especially economic, educated the public about the true nature of British rule.
• Built an All-India Organization: The INC provided the platform for all subsequent phases of the freedom struggle.

The Extremists and Gandhians built upon the foundations laid by the Moderates.

• Constitutionalism in India: The Moderates' emphasis on constitutional methods and rule of law has left a lasting impact on India's democratic traditions.
• Economic Nationalism: Their economic critique continues to inform discussions on self-reliance and equitable development.
• Political Strategy: The debate between moderate and extremist approaches offers timeless lessons on political strategy and the balance between gradualism and radicalism in social and political movements.

Q. Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India?

1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. G. Subramania Iyer
3. R. C. Dutt

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Hint: All three were prominent Moderate-era figures known for their economic critique of British rule.

Q. The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the:

(a) imposition of certain restrictions on the Vernacular Press.

(b) removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans.

(c) removal of a duty on imported cotton cloth.

(d) imposition of a duty on Indian cotton cloth.

Hint: The Ilbert Bill controversy occurred during the early phase of the INC and deeply impacted the Moderates, highlighting the racial arrogance they were up against.

Q. Which of the following was NOT a primary demand of the Moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress during 1885-1905?

(a) Expansion of Legislative Councils and increased Indian representation.

(b) Holding simultaneous ICS examinations in India and England.

(c) Immediate attainment of Purna Swaraj (complete independence).

(d) Reduction in military expenditure and abolition of the salt tax.

Explanation: The Moderates aimed for gradual constitutional reforms and self-government within the British Empire (Dominion Status as a long-term goal). The demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence) was adopted much later, primarily from the Lahore session of 1929.

Q. The "Drain of Wealth" theory, extensively propagated by Moderate leaders, primarily highlighted:

(a) The export of Indian cultural artifacts to Britain.

(b) The flow of Indian financial and material resources to Britain without adequate economic return.

(c) The migration of skilled Indian labor to British colonies.

(d) The depletion of India's forest resources due to British policies.

Explanation: The "Drain of Wealth" theory, most famously articulated by Dadabhai Naoroji, focused on the unilateral transfer of India's wealth to Britain through mechanisms like Home Charges, salaries and pensions of British officials, profits from trade and investment, etc., which impoverished India.

Q. Why did the ‘moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed political objectives?

Direction: This question directly asks for an evaluation of the Moderate era. Discuss their proclaimed objectives (gradual reforms, self-government within empire, Indianization) and then the reasons for their failure: limited social base, methods of "political mendicancy," limited tangible achievements, British intransigence, over-reliance on British justice, and the rise of Extremist ideology. Conclude by acknowledging their foundational role despite these limitations.

Q. The Indian National Congress was, in its initial phase, a moderate organization that believed in constitutional methods of agitation. Discuss the main demands and achievements of the Congress during this period (1885-1905).

Direction: Focus on categorizing their main demands (Constitutional, Administrative, Economic, Civil Rights) with specific examples. For achievements, emphasize the creation of a national platform, political education, economic critique, the Indian Councils Act 1892, and the Welby Commission. Stress their role in laying foundational groundwork.

Q. "The Moderate phase of the Indian National Congress (1885-1905) was characterized by an unwavering faith in British justice and a commitment to constitutional methods, which, while laying crucial foundations, ultimately proved insufficient to meet growing nationalist aspirations." Critically analyze.

Direction: Introduce the core tenets of the Moderate era. Elaborate on their faith in British justice and methods ("Three P's"). Detail the crucial foundations laid (pan-Indian platform, political education, economic critique, limited reforms). Critically analyze their insufficiency by discussing limited tangible achievements, failure to connect with masses, British intransigence, and the rise of Extremist ideology. Conclude that their approach, though essential initially, couldn't satisfy escalating demands.

Q. Evaluate the contributions of the Moderates to the Indian freedom struggle. Do you agree with the view that their achievements were meager and their methods ineffective?

Direction: Acknowledge the debate. Detail the Moderates' contributions: nation-building, political education, economic critique, administrative/constitutional progress, and continuity. Address the "meager achievements/ineffective methods" argument by contextualizing their methods, acknowledging limitations, and highlighting British intransigence. Argue that despite limited direct successes, their foundational work was indispensable for subsequent stages of the freedom struggle.