Era of the Moderates, 1885-1905: Approach and Leaders
Modern History › Beginning of Modern Nationalism and the Moderate Phase · Topic 13.5
The Moderates, led by Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjee and S.N. Banerjea, dominated the Congress from 1885 to 1905. They believed in liberalism and constitutional agitation, used prayer and petition, held that the British basically wanted to be just, and wanted to make colonial rule as close to national rule as possible.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Beginning of Modern Nationalism and the Moderate Phase
At a Glance
- What it is The first phase of the Congress, 1885-1905
- Leaders Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjea, S.N. Banerjea
- Method Constitutional agitation; prayer and petition
- Belief British connection was in India’s interest at that stage
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Beginning of Modern Nationalism and the Moderate Phase
Where Does It Fit?
This is the fifth topic of the category on the beginning of modern nationalism and the Moderate phase. The previous topic gave the aims of the Congress. This topic describes the leaders and methods of the Moderates. The next topic covers their economic critique of British rule. Previous topic: Aims and Objectives of the Congress.
Who Were the Moderates?
The national leaders who dominated the Congress in its early period (1885-1905) were Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjea (Bonnerjee) and S.N. Banerjea. They were staunch believers in liberalism and moderate politics and came to be labelled Moderates, to distinguish them from the neo-nationalists of the early twentieth century, who were called Extremists. Other great presidents of this phase, as listed in Foundation of the Indian National Congress and the Safety-Valve Debate, included Badruddin Tyabji, P. Anandacharlu, Romesh Chandra Dutt, Ananda Mohan Bose and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
What Was the Moderate Approach?
Moderate political activity involved constitutional agitation within the confines of law and showed slow but orderly political progress. The Moderates believed that the British basically wanted to be just to Indians but were not aware of the real conditions. If public opinion could be created in the country and public demands presented to the government through resolutions, petitions and meetings, the authorities would concede them gradually.
They worked on a two-pronged method: first, to create a strong public opinion to arouse consciousness and national spirit, and to educate and unite people on common political questions; second, to persuade the British government and British public opinion to introduce reforms in India on the lines laid out by the nationalists. They used the method of prayer and petition and, if that failed, resorted to constitutional agitation.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Method | Constitutional agitation within the law; resolutions, petitions, meetings |
| Assumption | The British basically wanted to be just but were unaware of real conditions |
| Two prongs | Public opinion in India; persuasion of the British government and public |
| Escalation | Prayer and petition first; constitutional agitation if that failed |
How Did They Campaign in Britain?
A British committee of the Indian National Congress was established in London in 1889, with the journal India as its organ. Dadabhai Naoroji spent a substantial part of his life and income campaigning for India’s case abroad. In 1890 it was decided to hold a session of the Congress in London in 1892, but owing to the British elections of 1891 the proposal was postponed and never revived. The early links of Naoroji with London are in Political Associations Before the Indian National Congress.
Why Did They Accept the British Connection?
The Moderate leaders believed that political connections with Britain were in India’s interest at that stage of history and that the time was not ripe for a direct challenge to British rule. They therefore considered it appropriate to try to transform colonial rule to be as close to national rule as possible.
As an analytical point, the Moderate approach was a reasoned choice, not simply timidity. A small educated group with no mass base, as seen in Evaluation of the Early Nationalists, had few other options in the 1880s and 1890s, and public opinion was a resource that colonial rule had not yet learnt to suppress. Their contributions, taken in turn in Economic Critique of British Imperialism by the Early Nationalists and Indian Councils Act, 1892: partial concession Administrative Indianisation,…">Constitutional Reforms, Administrative Reforms and Civil Rights Campaigns, were therefore ideas and constitutional pressure. The militant reaction that followed is told in later categories.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Leaders and methods The names and the prayer-and-petition method are asked often
- Contrast It sets up the contrast with the Extremists
- Mains theme Why the Moderates chose their path
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the economic critique of British imperialism by the early nationalists. Next topic: Economic Critique of British Imperialism by the Early Nationalists.
Key People and Terms
- Moderates Liberal leaders of the Congress, 1885-1905
- Constitutional agitation Agitation within the confines of law
- Prayer and petition The Moderate method of requesting reforms
- British committee The Congress committee set up in London in 1889
- Extremists The neo-nationalists of the early twentieth century
- Public opinion The collective view of the people created by the Moderates
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Leaders: Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjee, S.N. Banerjea.
- Method: constitutional agitation; prayer and petition.
- Belief: the British were basically just but unaware.
- British committee of the Congress, London, 1889; journal India.
- London session proposed for 1892, postponed.
Do Not Confuse With
- Moderates and Extremists Moderates: petitions within law; Extremists: more militant methods
- British committee and East India Association The committee was the Congress’s own London body of 1889; the Association was Naoroji’s of 1866
- Constitutional agitation and prayer and petition Prayer and petition came first; constitutional agitation followed
Memory Hook
Petition first, agitate within law, persuade Britain.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for the approach and methods of the Moderates. These points add depth.
- Faith in British justice They believed the British were basically fair
- Public opinion Education and unity of the people came first
- Timing A direct challenge was premature
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Describe the methods and approach of the Moderates in the Indian National Congress.”
How to Answer
- Who The leaders and their liberal beliefs.
- How Constitutional agitation, prayer and petition.
- Where In India and in Britain.
- Conclude Explain their acceptance of the British connection.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Moderates in the Indian National Congress?
The Moderates were leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjee and S.N. Banerjea, who dominated the Congress from 1885 to 1905 and believed in liberalism and constitutional methods. They were later distinguished from the Extremists.
What was the Moderate approach to politics?
The Moderates used constitutional agitation within the law, believing the British basically wanted to be just but were unaware of the real conditions. They created public opinion and presented demands through resolutions, petitions and meetings, so that authorities would concede gradually.
What was the two-pronged methodology of the Moderates?
The Moderates first created a strong public opinion to arouse national spirit and unite people on common questions, and second persuaded the British government and British public opinion to introduce reforms on the lines laid out by the nationalists.
What was the British committee of the Congress?
A British committee of the Indian National Congress was established in London in 1889, with the journal India as its organ. Dadabhai Naoroji spent a large part of his life and income campaigning for India's case in Britain.
Why did the Moderates accept the British connection?
They believed that political connection with Britain was in India's interest at that stage and that the time was not ripe for a direct challenge. They therefore tried to transform colonial rule so that it came as close as possible to national rule.
What happened to the proposed Congress session in London?
In 1890 it was decided to hold a session of the Congress in London in 1892, but the British elections of 1891 caused it to be postponed, and the proposal was never revived afterwards, so the Congress never met in London.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Moderates believed in constitutional agitation within the confines of law.
They used prayer and petition.
2 The British committee of the Congress was set up in London in 1889.
Its organ was the journal India.
3 The Moderates believed that the time was ripe for a direct challenge to British rule.
They believed the time was not ripe.
4 The Moderates were later called Extremists.
The neo-nationalists of the early twentieth century were called Extremists.
5 A Congress session in London in 1892 was held as planned.
It was postponed because of the British elections of 1891 and never revived.
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