Moderates, Extremists & Lal-Bal-Pal — Set 3

Correct Answer: A. A. Moderates trusted British reforms; extremists demanded immediate Swaraj by mass agitation

The fundamental difference between moderates and extremists was their approach to independence. Moderates like Gokhale trusted that the British would gradually grant reforms and relied on petitions, memorials, and constitutional methods. Extremists like Tilak did not trust British intentions and demanded immediate Swaraj through mass agitation, boycott, and swadeshi. Extremists wanted to involve the masses while moderates primarily addressed the British educated elite.

Correct Answer: A. A. He was tried for sedition and sentenced to 6 years in Mandalay

After the Surat Split, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was tried for sedition based on his writings in 'Kesari' related to the Muzaffarpur bomb case. He was convicted and sentenced to six years' imprisonment in Mandalay, Burma in 1908. He spent from 1908 to 1914 in Mandalay where he wrote his famous commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. His imprisonment increased his popularity immensely among ordinary Indians who saw him as a martyr.

Correct Answer: A. A. Moderates also opposed partition but through petitions and constitutional protests

The moderates also opposed the Partition of Bengal in 1905 but through constitutional methods like petitions and memorials to the British government. They organized protest meetings and presented the case against partition through legal means. However, they stopped short of supporting mass agitation, boycott, and swadeshi which the extremists championed. This difference in response to the partition highlighted the growing divide between moderate and extremist factions.

Correct Answer: A. A. An institution to provide Western education with Indian values

The Deccan Educational Society was founded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar in Pune in 1884 to provide Western education combined with Indian values. The society established Fergusson College in Pune. Tilak and Agarkar differed later on the role of social reform in nationalism. The society was part of Maharashtra's educated class's effort to modernize India while preserving Indian cultural identity.

Correct Answer: A. A. Bipin Chandra Pal

Bipin Chandra Pal published the newspaper 'New India' which became a major platform for extremist nationalist ideas. The newspaper advocated aggressive nationalism, Swadeshi, boycott, and complete independence. Pal's powerful writing helped articulate the extremist ideology for a wider audience. He was a brilliant journalist and orator who could inspire ordinary Indians with his fiery prose. The newspaper reflected the radicalization of Bengali nationalism after the 1905 Partition of Bengal.

Correct Answer: A. A. Agreement between Congress moderate and extremist factions reuniting them

The Lucknow Pact of 1916 involved two key agreements: first, the reunion of the moderate and extremist factions of the INC that had split at Surat in 1907, with Tilak leading the extremists back into the Congress fold. Second, a separate agreement between the INC and the All India Muslim League on joint constitutional demands. Tilak and Jinnah both played key roles. The Lucknow Pact represented the high point of Hindu-Muslim political cooperation.

Correct Answer: A. A. It made him a martyr and increased his popularity among masses

Tilak's imprisonment from 1908 to 1914 in Mandalay, Burma paradoxically increased his influence and made him a martyr figure. Ordinary Indians who might not have known him before now rallied to his cause. His imprisonment demonstrated British repression and strengthened nationalist sentiment. During his imprisonment, he wrote his famous commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. Upon his release in 1914, he was welcomed as a hero and immediately resumed his nationalist activities.

Correct Answer: A. A. Gradual constitutional reform through education and moderate politics

Gopal Krishna Gokhale's famous political principle was gradual constitutional reform through education, economic development, and moderate politics. He believed Indians needed to be prepared for self-governance through education before receiving full self-rule. He founded the Servants of India Society based on this principle. Gandhi considered Gokhale his political guru. Tilak criticized Gokhale's approach as too slow and begging — he called it 'mendicant politics.'

Correct Answer: A. A. 1907 at the Surat session

The extremist and moderate factions of the INC finally and formally split at the Surat session in 1907. The split had been building since 1905 when the Bengal partition triggered the Swadeshi movement and radicalized the extremist faction. The immediate trigger at Surat was a dispute over the presidential candidate. Moderates retained control of the Congress after 1907 but the movement was significantly weakened. The factions were reunited at the Lucknow session in 1916.

Correct Answer: A. A. To spread nationalist ideas and criticize British policies

Bal Gangadhar Tilak used 'Kesari' (meaning Lion), the Marathi newspaper he founded in 1881, to spread nationalist ideas and criticize British policies in India. He also published 'Mahratta' in English. The papers became among the most influential nationalist publications in India. Tilak was twice tried for sedition based on articles in these newspapers. His conviction and imprisonment only increased the papers' readership and his own popularity.