Era of Extremists (1905-1909)

The period between 1905 and 1919  in Indian history is often marked by the rise of what is referred to as “Radical Politics” or the “Era of Extremism” within the Indian National Congress. This phase is characterized by the emergence of leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, famously known as the “Lal-Bal-Pal” trio. Their ideology marked a departure from the ‘moderate’ phase, which sought reforms through appeals and petitions, advocating instead for more assertive methods.

Ideology of the Extremists

Assertive Nationalism: Unlike the moderates, the extremists were advocates of ‘assertive nationalism’. 

• They believed in the capacity of Indians to claim their rights through assertive means and were skeptical of British intentions.
• Swaraj (Self-Rule): The ultimate goal for extremists was Swaraj (absolute autonomy or self-rule). 
• • Tilak famously declared, “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!” This was a clear departure from the moderate demand for greater representation (or at maximum, colonial self-government).
• Cultural Revivalism: There was a strong emphasis on reviving ancient Indian traditions and culture. 
  • The period saw an increased reliance on Hindu mythology and history, which were used as tools to ignite patriotism among people.

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Objectives of the Extremists

Achieving Complete Independence: The extremists aimed for complete autonomy from British rule. They believed in the absolute sovereignty of India.

• Expansion of Base: One of the key objectives was to take the freedom struggle to the masses. They wanted to expand the social base of the Congress by including not just the elite but also the common people.
• Direct Confrontation: They were prepared for direct action and confrontation, if necessary, against the British authorities to achieve their goals. This was a significant shift from the methods of the moderates.

Methods of the Extremists

Introducing Innovative Ideas: Militant nationalists introduced new concepts and strategies for their cause. These ideas appeared in their theories, propaganda, and program development.

• They held secret meetings and tried to make inroads into the military camps to sow seeds of hatred against the British bureaucracy.
• Public Gatherings and Marches: Mass mobilization intensified through meetings and processions. These events also served as platforms for widespread expression.
• Formation of Volunteer Organizations (‘Samitis’): Groups like the Swadesh Bandhab Samiti became popular for mobilizing the masses. 
  • They conducted various activities, from educational programs to social work, spreading political awareness and unity.
• Utilising Traditional Festivals: Nationalists used traditional events to disseminate political messages. Public celebrations like Tilak’s Ganapati and Shivaji festivals were pivotal for propaganda.
• Promoting Self-Reliance: The movement emphasized ‘atma shakti’ or self-power, urging social and economic revitalization. 
  • It encompassed social reforms, tackling issues like caste oppression and alcohol consumption. 
  • The extremists such as Lala Lajpat Rai also promoted cooperative organizations. 
• Advancing National Education: Institutions like Bengal National College were established, promoting education on national lines. 
  • This educational movement spread, encouraging learning in native languages and diverse fields. 
  • The movement also led to the establishment of the National Education Council in August 1906.
• Encouraging Indigenous Enterprises: Patriotism led to the establishment of local industries, banks, and shops. 
  • Though driven more by nationalistic fervour than business strategy, these enterprises made notable strides. For example, Rabindranath Tagore set up Swadeshi Bhandar. 
• Cultural Impacts: The movement inspired art, music, and scientific progress. New songs (Amar Shonar Bangla) became anthems of resistance, and traditional art forms received newfound appreciation. 
  • In painting, Abanindranath Tagore halted the supremacy of Victorian naturalism over the Indian art scene and took inspiration from Ajanta, Mughal, and Rajput paintings.
• Mass Participation and New Allies: Students and women actively participated, enduring official repression and societal pressure. 
  • However, participation among Muslim communities was varied, with some leaders supporting British policies.
• Growing Labour Unrest and Union Formation: The period witnessed strikes and the emergence of trade unions, reflecting economic grievances. 
  • Despite initial successes, strict countermeasures suppressed these uprisings by 1908.
• The All-India Movement: Solidarity for Bengal and support for Swadeshi spread nationwide. Leaders like Tilak saw this as a historic surge in unified resistance against British rule.

Causes for the Rise of Extremism 

The rise of extremism in Indian politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was a significant shift from the earlier moderate phase of the freedom struggle. Several factors contributed to this change, reflecting the socio-economic, cultural, and political dissatisfaction prevalent among Indians. 

The following are the key causes behind the advent of extremism:

• Unmasking Colonial Exploitation: Leaders and the general populace began understanding the detrimental impact of British economic policies, recognizing them as exploitative mechanisms that drained India’s wealth. This understanding eroded the faith in peaceful constitutional methods that were unlikely to lead to self-governance. A few instances are listed as under:
  • Crisis and Unrest (1896-1900): Widespread famine and plague leading to significant mortality and societal disturbances unfolded the helplessness of Indians before them.
  • Nationalist Dissatisfaction: Growing frustration among nationalists over the restrictive colonial policies and the diminishing rights of Indians.
• Criticism of the Indian Councils Act (1892): Nationalists expressed dissatisfaction as the act didn’t fulfill their demands for more significant participation.
• Arbitrary Actions against Nationalists (1897): Actions like the deportation of the Natu brothers and the imprisonment of Tilak, without fair trials, highlighted the colonial government’s oppressive tactics.
• Harsher Legal Measures (1898): The government fortified its legal arsenal against dissent by expanding repressive laws, particularly under IPC Sections 124A and 156A.
• Diminished Local Representation (1899): The decision to reduce the number of Indian members in the Calcutta Corporation demonstrated an effort to limit Indian self-governance.
• Curtailment of Press and Academic Freedom (1904): The introduction of the Official Secrets Act and the Indian Universities Act represented systematic efforts to suppress free expression and academic independence, respectively.
• Resurgence of Indian Identity: There was growing discomfort over the erosion of Indian cultural practices due to forced Westernization by the British. 
  • This discomfort translated into a movement that sought to revive and preserve the Indian ethos and cultural heritage, countering the cultural imperialism of the West.
• Faltering Faith in Moderatism: The mild approaches and minimal achievements of the Congress’s moderate faction led to widespread disappointment. 
  • A new breed of nationalists emerged, advocating for a more proactive and assertive form of protest, diverging significantly from the pleas and petitions strategy.
• Factionalism: At the turn of the 19th century we observed a good deal of faction fighting at almost every level of organized public life in India. 
  • In Bengal there was division within the Brahmo Samaj and bitter journalistic rivalry between the two newspaper groups, the Bengalee, edited by moderate leader Surendranath Banerjea, and the Amrita Bazar Patrika, edited by the more radical Motilal Ghosh.
  • Factional Disputes in Bengal: There was also faction fighting between Aurobindo Ghosh on the one hand and Bipin Chandra Pal and Brahmabandhab Upadhyay on the other, over the editorship of Bande Mataram. 
  • Rivalry in Maharashtra’s Public Organizations: In Maharashtra, there was a competition between Gokhale and Tilak for controlling the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha. 
    • In 1895 Tilak captured the organisation and the following year Gokhale started his rival organisation, the Deccan Sabha.
• Economic Despair and Hardship: Colonial economic policies led to relentless poverty, agrarian crisis, and unemployment. 
  • These harsh realities created a fertile ground for extremist ideologies, which promised more immediate and effective responses to these pressing issues.
• Opposition to Bengal’s Bifurcation: The arbitrary partition of Bengal in 1905 was a clear indication of the British employing a divide-and-rule strategy, intensifying nationalist sentiments. 
  • The event triggered a more aggressive phase of the freedom struggle, characterized by widespread protests and boycotts.
• British Authoritarianism and Broken Promises: The British consistently responded to Indian calls for autonomy with repression, exemplified by various acts and unfulfilled promises. 
  • This scenario accentuated the extremist viewpoint that British rule, by its very nature, was oppressive and called for direct confrontation.
• Events Outside India: 
  • The humiliating treatment meted out to Indians in other British colonies, especially in South Africa, created anti-British feelings.
  • Inspiration from Global Anti-Imperialist Victories: Events like Japan’s triumph over Russia and other anti-colonial struggles worldwide (Egypt, Turkey, etc.) inspired Indian extremists, suggesting that the colonial powers were not invincible and that resistance could yield results.
• Rise of Revolutionary Ideologies: The period witnessed the spread of revolutionary writings and ideas, celebrating India’s historical resistance to foreign rule and calling for a new wave of struggle. 
  • This literature, often invoking patriotic sentiments and valour from India’s history, played a significant role in galvanizing extremist movements.
• Existence of a Militant School of Thought: In the early 20th century, a new wave of nationalist thought emerged in India, advocating militant resistance against British rule. Notable proponents like Raj Narain Bose, Ashwini Kumar Datta, Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipin Chandra Pal, Vishnu Shastri Chiplunkar, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Lala Lajpat Rai rejected passive approaches, focusing instead on direct political action and mass mobilization. 
  • They harboured a deep disdain for foreign domination and promoted the idea of Swaraj (self-rule) as the ultimate goal. 
  • This approach emphasized the power of collective dissent and was marked by a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the national cause.

Important Extremist Leaders and Their Contributions

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Conclusion

These leaders, through their distinct ideologies and revolutionary methods, not only shaped the Extremist phase of the Indian National Movement but also laid the groundwork for subsequent radical and mass movements. Their readiness for a more direct confrontation and emphasis on mobilizing the masses marked a new chapter in the freedom struggle. This phase significantly impacted the nature of the anti-colonial movements, setting the stage for more intensified confrontations with the British in the subsequent years.

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