Q. Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century? (150 words, 10 Marks)
Why the Question?
UPSC PYQ – CSE Mains – 2017
Keywords of the Question
- Moderates
- Carry conviction
- Proclaimed ideology and political goals
- End of the nineteenth century
Directive Word
Why –Refers to the reason or cause for a particular situation or action. It seeks an explanation or justification.
How to approach this Question?
- Introduction:
- Begin by briefly introducing the ‘Moderates’ as a group of Indian leaders during the late 19th century.
- Mention their proclaimed ideology, which focused on gradual reforms, constitutional methods, and cooperation with the British government.
- Highlight that despite their efforts, they failed to gain widespread acceptance among the Indian population.
- Body:
- Discuss the reasons for their failure such as Limited Radicalism, Narrow Social Base, Failure to Address Socioeconomic Issues, Ineffectiveness of Prayer, Petition, and Protests, Competition from Extremists etc.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize by acknowledging the Moderates’ role in India’s political awakening and reform movement.
- Emphasize that while they failed to fully convince the nation, their efforts laid the groundwork for future leaders and movements.
Note: Please note that the following ‘answers’ are not ‘model answers’ nor are they synopses in the strictest sense. Instead, they are content designed to meet the demands of the question while providing comprehensive coverage of the topic.
Answer Key
Introduction
The ‘Moderates’ emerged as a significant faction within the Indian nationalist movement during the late nineteenth century. Their focus was on advocating for political and administrative reforms within the context of British colonial rule. However, despite their efforts, they faced challenges in garnering broad acceptance and conviction for their ideology and political objectives among the Indian populace by the end of the century.
Body
- Lack of clear goals:
- The Moderates’ reluctance to demand complete independence made their goals less appealing to Indians seeking total freedom from British rule.
- For example, they petitioned for participation in law-making councils with limited scope.
- Laissez-faire approach:
- The Moderates advocated constitutional methods, including petitions, memorandums, and speeches, to achieve their objectives.
- However, many Indians perceived this approach as weak and ineffective, desiring more assertive actions against the British.
- Lack of Mass Support:
- The Moderates primarily represented educated urban elites, lacking deep connections with the rural majority of India.
- For instance, their resolutions were in English and had little impact on ordinary Indians.
- Frustration with Limited Progress: As the 19th century progressed, many Indians grew frustrated with the slow pace of reform and the lack of substantial gains from the Moderates’ negotiations with the British.
- Economic Issues: The Moderates failed to adequately address economic hardships such as poverty, famines, and exploitative British economic policies.
- Rise of Extremism: Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai advocated aggressive means for independence, resonating with disillusioned Indians.
- Fragmentation of the Congress: The division between Moderates and Extremists weakened the Indian National Congress and diluted the effectiveness of the nationalist movement.
- British Repression: As the nationalist movement gained momentum, British authorities implemented repressive measures to counter it.
Conclusion
While the Moderates faced limitations, their contributions were not entirely in vain. They secured political rights, represented Indians in legislative councils, and played a pivotal role in India’s political awakening. However, their failure to address pressing socioeconomic issues, coupled with the rise of more assertive Extremists, ultimately diminished their impact. The nation yearned for radical change, a demand that the Moderates couldn’t fully meet.