Phases of Indian National Congress


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Phases of Indian National Congress

Indian National Congress (INC) : The Indian National Congress or simply Congress is a political party in India with widespread roots, founded in 1885. It was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British Empire in Asia and Africa.

  • From the late 19th century, and especially after 1920, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Congress became the principal leader of the Indian independence movement.
  • Congress led India to get independence from Great Britain and powerfully influenced other anti-colonial nationalist movements in the British Empire  .
  • Phases of Indian National Congress: 

  • Phase 1 : Moderate Phase (1885 - 1907) : Moderate leaders were W.C Banerjee, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, R.C Dutt, Ferozeshah Mehta, George Yule, etc. Moderates have full faith in British Government and adopted PPP path i.e. Protest, Prayer, and Petition.
  • Phase 2 : Extremists Phase (1901 - 1917) : Extremist leaders were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh. Instead of PPP path they emphasise on self-reliance, constructive work, and swadeshi.
  • Phase 3 : Era of Mahatma Gandhi (1917 - 1947)
  • Some Demands of the Moderates : The Congress in the first twenty years was "Moderate" in its objectives and methods. During this period it demanded a greater voice for Indians in the government and in administration.

  • Economic Critique of British Imperialism : Since British officers were sending a major part of their large salaries home, indianisation, it was hoped, would also reduce the drain of wealth of England.
  • Constitutional Reforms and Propaganda in Legislature : It wanted the Legislative Councils to be made more representative. It demanded that Indians be placed in high positions in the government.  For this purpose it called for civil service examinations to be held in India as well, not just in London.
  • Campaign for General Administrative Reforms : The demand for indianisation of the administration was part of a movement against racisms.
  • Defence of Civil Rights : Other demands included the separation of the judiciary form the executive, the repeal of the Arms Act and the freedom of speech and expression. The early congress also raised a number of economic issues.
  • The moderate leaders wanted to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule. They published newspapers, wrote articles, and showed how British rule was leading to the economic ruin of the country.
  • Contribution of the Extremists:

  • Demand of Swaraj
  • Contributing to the rise of mass movements
  • The spread of nationalist education
  • Upliftment of the downtrodden
  • Support for revolutionary movements
  • Rise of communalism
  • Encouraged co-operative organisations
  • Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    Moderates and Extremists of the Indian National Congress differed mainly on the issue of _____________________

    Right Option : A
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    Explanation
     
     


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