Moderate Phase (1885-1905): Reforming India, Colonial Challenges & Achievements

Moderate Phase (1885-1905): Lawful Progress for Indian Reform

The Congress politics from 1885 till 1905 is referred to as the Moderate phase of Congress. The prominent leaders of this phase were Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjea, S.N. Banerjee, Gopal Krishna Gokhle, etc. The moderates were named so because they agitated within the confines of the law and made orderly political progress. The moderates were influenced by Utilitarian Theory. The Moderates believed that British rule was important to bring modernization to India. They were conscious of the exploitative nature of British rule but wanted its reform, not expulsion. 

Moderate Tactics: Constitutional Agitation and Global Advocacy

Following are the methods adopted by the moderates, to deal with British power in the early phase of the Indian National Congress:

• Constitutional Agitation: The Moderates believed in conciliation through constitutional means and not agitation through confrontation.
• Educate people: By politically educating people, they aimed to create strong public opinion about the demands presented by INC.
• Presentation of demand: The public demands were presented through resolutions, meetings, petitions etc.
• Prayer and petition: To influence the opinion of British nationals and the government, they resorted to the method of “prayers and petitions”.
• Press and Publication: Moderates understood the media’s influence. They published newspapers, journals, and pamphlets to spread their ideas and educate the public. 
• International Forums: Moderates promoted the Indian cause abroad. They attended worldwide conventions to raise awareness of Indian colonial suffering and support their demands.

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Moderate Phase Nationalist Demands: Reforming India’s Path Forward

The Moderate nationalist in the early years of the Congress did not want complete independence from British rule. Rather they posed the following demands before the British:

• Economic Demands: Re­duction of expenditure and taxes, a reallocation of military charges, a protectionist policy to protect Indian industries, reduction of land revenue assessment, extension of Permanent Settlement to ryotwari and the Mahalwari areas, and encouragement of cottage industries and handicrafts. 
• Constitutional Demands: Expansion of legislative council and assembly at the center and the provinces, Adequate representation of Indians in the Viceroy’s executive council, Moderates also demanded Swaraj within the British empire, Majority of elected Indians in higher posts, etc.
• Demand for Civilian  Rights: Right to Speech and thought, Right to form associations, better treatment for Indian labor abroad in other British colonies, Freedom of press, etc.
• Administrative reforms: Separation of judiciary from the executive, Non- aggressive foreign policy etc.

Limitations Of Moderate Phase: Challenges in Colonial Reform Path

• Congress moderates supported modest political reform: They highlighted constitutional means and communication with the British administration, which detractors saw as lacking urgency and aggressiveness to oppose colonial domination.
• Moderates trusted the British administration to reform politics: They want British justice and fairness instead of self-governance. The British government frequently postponed their requests.
• Moderates had trouble organizing major protests: They relied on intellectual dialogue, petitions, and assemblies, which had little impact on Indians. They struggled to mobilize the masses, limiting their pressure on the British government.
• Lacking mass base: Moderate leaders were educated and rich Indians. They rarely affected rural or underprivileged communities. Moderates struggled to please all Indians due to their restricted social base.
• Internal conflict: The moderate Indian National Congress section was split. Moderate leaders debated principles, methods, and tactics. Internal factionalism hindered Congress’s ability to unite.
• They never demanded full freedom: They accepted self-rule with more autonomy and never sought independence from the British. 

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Conclusion

The moderate phase was important in the making of the nationalist movement in India. The most significant contribution of the moderates lay in the fact that they provided an eco­nomic critique of colonialism and linked it to Indian poverty. The moderate politicians had constructed a discursive field within which the nationalist attack on colonialism could be conceptualized. They formed nationalist movements, educated Indians, and shaped the Indian National Congress. Later Indian freedom struggles were radicalized by the moderates’ constraints. 

The Moderate Phase FAQs

Q1. Why is the early phase of Congress called the Moderate phase?

Ans. The early phase of the Congress from 1885 to 1905 was dominated by the leaders who believed in liberal moderate politics. Thus this period is called the Moderate phase of INC.

Q2. Why was the Moderate phase fail to appeal to the nationalist?

Ans. In its moderate phase, congress was dominated by upper-class intelligentsia and there was an absence of connection with the masses. The moderates also failed in achieving the desired outcome through their methods. These factors led to dying out of moderate flame from the national movement.

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