Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of ‘moderates’ and ‘extremists’?
- Swadeshi Movement
- Quit India Movement
- Non-Cooperation Movement
- Civil Disobedience Movement
Explanation
Option (a) is correct
- The Swadeshi Movement, launched to oppose the Partition of Bengal, played a key role in splitting the Indian National Congress into Moderates and Extremists. The Extremists, led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Aurobindo Ghosh, wanted to expand the Swadeshi and boycott movements beyond Bengal and extend the boycott to all forms of association with the colonial government. On the other hand, Moderates, led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, preferred to confine the movements to Bengal and limit the boycott to foreign goods. The ideological differences culminated in a leadership tussle and tensions escalated, leading to the formal split at the Surat Session of 1907.
