Moderates, Extremists & Lal-Bal-Pal — Set 4

Correct Answer: A. A. It showed an Asian nation could defeat a European power and emboldened extremists

The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, in which Japan defeated Russia, had a major psychological impact on Indian extremist nationalists. It shattered the myth of European invincibility and showed that an Asian nation could defeat a European power. Extremist leaders like Tilak were greatly encouraged by this. It contributed to their confidence in demanding immediate Swaraj and their belief that the British could be defeated. The timing coincided with the Swadeshi movement triggered by Bengal partition in 1905.

Correct Answer: A. A. He was a radical nationalist editor who later became a spiritual leader

Aurobindo Ghosh was one of the most radical voices in the extremist movement. He edited the newspapers 'Yugantar' and 'Karmayogin' which advocated complete independence through aggressive means. He was involved in revolutionary activities and was tried in the Alipore Bomb Case (1908) but acquitted. After his acquittal, following a spiritual experience in jail, he withdrew to Pondicherry (then French territory) where he became the renowned spiritual teacher Sri Aurobindo.

Correct Answer: B. B. Focus on Indian education and nationalism

The correct answer is B. Focus on Indian education and nationalism. Ripon College was established to provide quality education to Indian students and foster nationalist ideas through intellectual development and critical thinking. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: C. C. Focus on Indian education and nationalism

The correct answer is C. Focus on Indian education and nationalism. Ripon College was established to provide quality education to Indian students and foster nationalist ideas through intellectual development and critical thinking. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. A. Focus on Indian education and nationalism

The correct answer is A. Focus on Indian education and nationalism. Ripon College was established to provide quality education to Indian students and foster nationalist ideas through intellectual development and critical thinking. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. A. Because petitioning the British yielded few results and was too slow

The extremists criticized the moderate approach because petitioning and memorials to the British had yielded very few results in 20 years of Congress activity (1885-1905). Tilak described moderate methods as 'mendicant politics' — begging the British for rights rather than demanding them. The extremists argued that the British would only respond to mass pressure, not to polite petitions from an educated elite. The denial of even modest reforms by the British proved the extremists' point to many Indians.

Correct Answer: A. A. He was lathi-charged during protests and died from injuries in 1928

Lala Lajpat Rai led the protests against the Simon Commission in Lahore in 1928. The Simon Commission, formed to recommend constitutional reforms, had no Indian members, which was seen as an insult. During the protest, police lathi-charged the demonstrators, and Lajpat Rai suffered severe injuries. He died on November 17, 1928 from his injuries. His death outraged the nation and directly inspired Bhagat Singh to plan the killing of John Saunders (who gave the lathi charge order) in December 1928.

Correct Answer: A. A. A movement to use Indian goods and boycott British products from 1905

The Swadeshi movement, closely associated with the extremist faction of the INC, called for using only Indian-made goods and boycotting British products. It began in 1905 as a protest against the Partition of Bengal by Viceroy Curzon. Leaders like Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh championed the movement. It was the first movement that successfully brought ordinary Indians, including women, into active political participation. The movement also stimulated the growth of Indian industries.

Correct Answer: A. A. They demanded self-rule within British Empire and mobilized new sections of society

The Home Rule Leagues started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak (April 1916) and Annie Besant (September 1916) demanded self-governance for India within the British Empire. They were inspired by the Irish Home Rule movement. The Leagues succeeded in mobilizing new sections of Indian society into political activity. They published pamphlets and organized public meetings across India. The British response — including interning Annie Besant — only increased popular support for the movement.

Correct Answer: A. A. Tilak opposed mixing social reform with political nationalism

Bal Gangadhar Tilak opposed mixing social reform with political nationalism, arguing that the INC should focus exclusively on political independence. He feared that social reform debates would divide Hindus and weaken the nationalist movement. Gokhale, on the other hand, believed social reform and political progress went hand in hand. Tilak's opposition to the Indian National Social Conference, which Gokhale supported, was a major point of difference. This conflict reflected a deeper ideological divide about the nature of Indian nationalism.