FREEDOM STRUGGLE - AGE OF MODERATES 1885 - 1905
AGE OF MODERATES (1885 - 1905) :-
Congress since its inception was dominated by educated middle class, the landed aristocracy and the capitalist classes called the moderates, The moderate ideology was-
The British colonialism and Indian Natinalism were not contradictory, rather complimentary. For the Moderates, development of England was the development of India.
- The British were invincible. As such, by a political of co-operation India could better secure her interests.
- England, mother of Parliamentary institutions, would increase the same in India and as such Indians should remain loyal to British.
The Moderate method of struggle was defined as "Constitutional Means of Agitation" (anything except popular means of agitation and seditions). It was well explained by Gokhale in his journal 'Sudhar'. It is also "Petition, Prayer and Protest"
The demands of the Moderates include-
- Expansion of Legislative Councils
- Meaningful Representation for Indian Members
- Seperation of Executive form judiciary
- Increasing the upper age limit for Indian Civil Service aspirants and for conducting Civil Service Exams in India and England simultaneously.
- 50% reduction in rent. export duties and military expenditure.
Lord Dufferin, the Governor General and Lord Gross the Secretary of State welcomed the formation of INC.
MODERATE POPITICS :-
The relation between the moderates and the British were strained for the first time in Madras Session in 1887, presided over by Badruddin Tyabji (the first Muslim president of INC). the word 'self - governance' was mentioned for the first time. Lord Dufierin criticised Congress as "Microscopic Minority"
The 1888 Allahabad Session of INC was presided over by George Yule; the 1st Englishman to preside over INC.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF MODERATES
- On the request of the Moderates in 1886, Lord Duffering appointed Aitchison Committe on Indian Civil Services. The upper age limit was increased to 22 yrs; On the recommendations of the Committee.
- The 1892 Indian Councials Act was passed, expanding Legislative Councils.
- On the request of the Moderates, the Calcutta University Act, 1904 and Calcutta Municipal Corporation Act, 1904 ; the 2 Acts that affected the autonomy of local bodies were revoked by Lord Curzon.
- The most important achevement of the Moderates was their economic critique of colonialism, called the Drain Theory that exposed the exploitative nature of colonialism.
Failure of the Moderates-
- The restricted the social bases of the Congress only for the elite.
- They failed to understand the clash of interests between colonialism and nationalism.
- Their major failure was stopping the Partition of Bengal, done much against the public will.