Categories: MUMBAI UNIVERSITY IDOL NOTES

Moderates

MODERATES

Hey Mumbai University FYBA IDOL students! Today, let’s delve into the world of History Of Modern India , focusing on “MODERATES.” Get ready to uncover the strategies, achievements, and notable figures that characterized this period of political activism.

First off, we’ll dive into the methods and techniques employed by the Moderates in their quest for reform and self-governance. From petitions and resolutions to peaceful protests and constructive criticism, we’ll explore how the Moderates navigated the political landscape of colonial India.

Next, let’s shine a spotlight on the achievements of the Moderates. From laying the groundwork for constitutional reforms to advocating for civil liberties and social reforms, we’ll uncover the lasting impact of their efforts on India’s path towards freedom.

But wait, there’s more! We’ll also highlight the remarkable contributions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a towering figure among the Moderates. From his tireless advocacy for social and economic reforms to his mentorship of future leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, we’ll explore how Gokhale’s vision shaped the course of the Indian National Movement.

As we journey through the contributions of moderate leaders, we’ll analyze their role in galvanizing public opinion, fostering national unity, and laying the foundation for India’s eventual independence. From Dadabhai Naoroji to Surendranath Banerjee, we’ll uncover the diverse voices that propelled the movement forward. So, FYBA IDOL Mumbai University students, get ready to learn about –”Moderates” with customized idol notes just for you. Let’s jump into this exploration together

QUESTION 1:- What are the methods of Moderates?

Introduction:

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a group of leaders known as the Moderates played a crucial role in advocating for political and social reforms in India. This period was marked by their commitment to achieving change through peaceful and lawful means within the existing British colonial rule. The Moderates employed several distinct methods to influence the British government and public opinion. Let’s delve into these methods.

Methods of the Moderates:

Public Meetings and Resolutions:
- Moderates organized public meetings, gathering people to discuss and raise awareness about political and social issues.
- Resolutions passed during these meetings were crucial tools to voice grievances and present collective demands to the British government.
Petitions and Appeals:
- Moderates actively undertook the submission of petitions and appeals to the British authorities, both in India and the English Parliament.
- These written pleas were aimed at obtaining official approval for their demands, emphasizing a legal and peaceful approach.
Influence on British Public Opinion:
- To bridge the understanding gap, Moderates engaged in efforts to shape British public opinion.
- Memorials, petitions, and political propaganda in England were utilized to enlighten British rulers about the actual situation in India, believing that a better-informed public could lead to positive changes.
Constitutional Agitation:
- The Moderates adopted a strategy of constitutional agitation within the legal framework, avoiding violent methods.
- Peaceful means such as prayer, petition, representation, and deputations were employed to convince the government about the legitimacy of their demands.

Conclusion:

The Moderates’ methods were diverse yet unified in their commitment to peaceful and lawful avenues for change. Public engagement, formal appeals, efforts to influence British public opinion, and constitutional agitation were integral components of their approach. The Moderates’ emphasis on working within the established legal and constitutional processes showcased their dedication to achieving reforms in various aspects of administration and governance in India. This nuanced strategy reflects the Moderates’ understanding of the times and their unwavering commitment to progress through non-violent means.

QUESTION 2 :- Explain the achievements of Moderates.

Introduction:

The Moderates were a group of Indian nationalist leaders who worked towards political and social reforms in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They believed in the British sense of justice and fair play and sought to work within the established legal and constitutional processes to bring about change. Some of the achievements of the Moderates are:

Pioneers of Nationalism:The Moderates were the first to start the political awakening in India and are considered as the pioneers of nationalism in India. They made sincere efforts to weld different elements of society into a nation and preached and practiced a secular type of nationalism in India.
Administrative Reforms: The Moderates demanded the extension of the existing central and provincial legislative councils with greater numbers of non-official Indians and the re-introduction of the principle of election. They also demanded the widening of the powers of those councils and an increase in the powers of the members to discuss the budget and to question and criticize the day-to-day administration. The Moderates achieved success when the British Government passed the new Indian Councils Act in 1892, which increased the number of non-official members and granted members of the council the right to speak on the budget.
Unity: The Moderates created a sense of unity in the Indian society. They created loyalty for the land and considered themselves Indian first and Hindus, Muslims, or Christians afterwards. They were loyal to the British government. However, their act of loyalty to one central government on a secular basis laid down the foundation of new modern India.
Exposed British Economic Exploitation: The Moderates had great concern for the exploitation of the Indian peasants and artisans. They linked the poverty of India to the economic exploitation of the country by the British. Dadabhai Naoroji, a Moderate leader, traced back the root cause of Indian poverty to the drain of wealth. He wrote a book entitled ‘Poverty and Un-British Rule in India’ to show the true nature of British imperialism and propounded the theory of ‘Drain of Wealth’. They also tried to promote Indian industries, demanded improvement in the condition of laborers, abolition of harsh taxes, and were critical of the high government expenditure on the army .
Political Awakening: The Moderates succeeded in creating a wide political awakening in India. They aroused feelings of nationalism among the middle class, popularized the ideas of democracy and liberty, and demanded administrative reforms. They emphasized the need for the spread of education, extension of medical facilities to the people, improvement of the public system, and demanded freedom of speech and abolition of press censorship .

Conclusion:

The Moderates made significant contributions to the Indian national movement by creating a sense of unity, exposing British economic exploitation, and promoting political awakening. They also achieved some success in administrative reforms and played a crucial role in shaping modern politics in 19th century India.

QUESTION 3 :- Highlight the contribution of G.K. Gokhale

Introduction:

Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a key leader during the Moderate phase of the Indian National Movement, played a big role in bringing positive changes to India. His efforts focused on politics, social improvements, and creating a group dedicated to serving the nation. Let’s explore the significant contributions made by Gokhale.

Gokhale’s Contributions:

Political Leadership: Gokhale was a top leader in the Indian National Congress and even became its president in 1905. He believed that India should govern itself but within the British Empire. Like other Moderate leaders, he thought that speaking up and following the rules was the way to make more Indians aware of their rights.
Advocacy for Social Reforms: Gokhale cared deeply about making society better. He spoke against unfair treatment of some groups, like untouchables, and wanted the government to help people get education. Even though he didn’t lead social movements, his speeches emphasized the need for social progress.
Founding of the Servants of Indian Society: In 1905, Gokhale started the Servants of Indian Society. This group aimed to train young men to serve the country. They focused on education, had a library, and wrote papers supporting the country’s cause. Gokhale wanted to build a team of people dedicated to making India better.
Role in Legislative Councils: Gokhale became a member of the Bombay Legislative Council, where he focused on issues like famine, land problems, and city management. Later, he joined the Imperial Legislative Council, where he spoke about the budget and other important topics. His speeches showed how India faced unfair treatment, and he pushed for improvements in irrigation and other areas. Gokhale wanted to make positive changes using the law and the government’s existing systems.

Conclusion:

Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s contributions were important during the Moderate phase. He believed in speaking up and following the rules to make India better. Gokhale cared about society, founded a group for national service, and worked in legislative councils to fix issues. His leadership and ideas played a big part in shaping the Indian National Movement during this time. Gokhale’s approach showed that positive changes could happen within the existing systems, leaving a lasting impact on India’s journey to independence.

EXERCISE QUESTIONS :-

QUESTION 1 :- What were the methods and techniques of Moderates?

Introduction:

The Moderates, who were the main players in the Indian National Congress from 1885 to 1905, used different ways to bring about positive changes in India. They believed in following the law and using peaceful methods to make things better. Let’s take a closer look at the methods they used to achieve political and social reforms during this time.

Methods of the Moderates:

Public Meetings and Resolutions: The Moderates organized big public meetings where people could talk about political and social issues. They also made resolutions, like promises, to show what changes they wanted. These resolutions were a way for them to tell the British government about the problems faced by the Indian people.
Petitions and Appeals: The Moderates wrote petitions, which are like official requests, to the British authorities in India and the Parliament in England. These were like letters to ask for help in solving the issues faced by Indians. The Moderates wanted the British rulers to pay attention to their concerns and take action.
Influence on British Public Opinion: The Moderates tried to change the opinions of the British people. They did this by sending memorials, which are like official statements, petitions, and political messages to England. The Moderates believed that the British rulers didn’t know enough about India’s real situation, so they tried to explain the needs of the Indian people.
Constitutional Agitation: Instead of using violence, the Moderates followed peaceful methods within the law. They prayed, wrote petitions, represented their ideas, and sent delegations to convince the government about their fair demands. This was their way of showing that they believed in justice and wanted to make changes using legal processes.

Conclusion:

The Moderates’ methods were about making India better by working within the law. They organized meetings, wrote petitions, tried to change British opinions, and followed peaceful ways to convince the government. The Moderates strongly believed in justice and fairness, choosing to use legal and constitutional processes to bring positive changes in various aspects of administration and governance in India. Their commitment to peaceful and lawful methods, focusing on influencing public opinion and engaging with British authorities, played a vital role in shaping the path towards reforms during this significant period.

QUESTION 2 :- Discuss the contribution of moderate leaders in Indian National Movement.

Introduction:

The moderate leaders during the early days of the Indian National Movement, like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and W.C. Bannerji, made significant contributions that laid the groundwork for the movement’s future. Their efforts played a crucial role in shaping the early phase of India’s struggle for independence.

Key Aspects of Moderate Leaders’ Contribution:

Initiation of Nationalist Awakening: Moderate leaders were like the first sparks that ignited the idea of Indian pride. Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and W.C. Bannerji started talking about being a united nation. Their efforts began a political awakening in India, making people feel like they belonged to a common nation.
Advocacy for Reforms: These leaders wanted to make India better by asking for changes in how the British rulers ran things. They pushed for reforms in politics, administration, and society. They believed in using the law to bring about necessary changes, aiming to influence both the British government and public opinion.
Emphasis on Constitutional Agitation: Instead of using violence, the moderate leaders believed in peaceful ways to make changes. They prayed, wrote petitions, represented their ideas, and sent delegations to convince the government about their fair demands. This approach became important for future strategies within the nationalist movement.
Exposure of British Imperialism: Even though the moderate leaders were loyal to the British crown, they showed the real impact of British rule in India. Dadabhai Naoroji’s “Drain Theory” and his work on economic exploitation highlighted how British policies were affecting the lives of Indian people. They contributed to a better understanding of colonial policies and their effects on Indian society.
Training Political Workers: Moderate leaders were like teachers, training many people to work in politics. They created organizations like the Servants of Indian Society to teach individuals how to serve the nation. This helped build a group of people committed to working for the betterment of the country.
Role in Legislative Councils: Leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale actively took part in the legislative councils. They spoke about issues like famine, land problems, and city management. Gokhale believed in using the law to bring about positive changes within the existing system.

Conclusion:

The moderate leaders’ contributions were like building blocks in the early phase of the Indian National Movement. They worked to create awareness, pushed for reforms, and trained people for political work. These efforts laid the foundation for the later phases of the movement, including the times of Extremism and the Gandhian era. The moderate leaders played a crucial role in shaping the journey towards India’s independence.