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Introduction

The Surat Split of 1907 was a significant event in the history of the Indian National Congress (INC). The split occurred during the Surat session of the Congress held under the Presidency of Rash Behari Ghosh.

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Factors leading to the Surat Split of 1907

• Swadeshi Movement: The extremists wanted to take the movement outside of Bengal while moderates resisted this expansion and were of the view that it should be confined within Bengal.
• Morley-Minto Reforms: The moderates, seeking cooperation with the British, were in talks regarding these reforms. They were reluctant to support radical measures by extremist leaders, causing friction within the Congress.
• Extremist-Moderate Divide: The extremists, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, advocated for radical methods of agitation, while the moderates, led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, favored a more cautious and constitutional approach.
• Session at Surat: The session was marked by heated debates and physical clashes between the factions, leading to the split. The extremists eventually exited, while the moderates remained within the Congress.
• Role of Muslim League: The moderates were more inclined towards cooperation with the Muslim League, whereas the extremists focused on Hindu-Muslim unity within the Congress.

Footprint of Surat Split 1907 on the Indian National Congress

• Severely damaged the Indian National Congress (INC): As it led to a division between moderates and extremists within the party, weakening its unity and effectiveness.
• Emergence of the Extremist faction: The Surat Split marked the rise of the Extremist faction within the Congress. under the leadership of Tilak, it started advocating for more aggressive and militant approaches towards British colonial rule.
• Impact on Congress sessions: It led to a period of turbulence and polarization within the party, with different factions vying for control. The session following the split in 1908 had to be held in Madras due to the inability to reconcile differences.
• Clash of Leadership Styles: The split also revealed a clash in leadership styles between Gokhale and Tilak. Gokhale believed in a more cautious and diplomatic approach, seeking to cooperate with the British authorities, while Tilak was a more assertive and militant leader, advocating for mass mobilization and direct confrontation.
• Influence on the Indian freedom struggle: The Split marked a turning point in the Indian nationalist movement. It highlighted the growing radicalization of a section of Indian nationalists who were frustrated with the slow progress towards self-government and more willing to adopt revolutionary methods. Example- Lala Lajpat rai, B.G. Tilak etc.
  

Conclusion

Overall, the Surat Split of 1907 divided the Indian National Congress between the Moderates and Extremists, shaping subsequent movements and influencing the course of the Indian freedom struggle.

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