Surat Split: Causes, Consequences, & Its Lasting Impact on the Indian Independence Movement

Surat Split 1907: Congress Divide, Independence’s Ripple Effect

The Surat Split of 1907 divided the Indian National Congress into moderates and extremists, marking a significant ideological and political division. It had a lasting impact on the Indian independence movement, shaping strategies, demands, and unity within the Congress. The Surat Split reflected disagreements over approaches to achieving independence and leadership disputes, influencing the trajectory of the movement.

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Surat Split 1907: Causes, Disputes, and British Intervention

The Surat Split of 1907 in the Indian National Congress was caused by several factors:

• Disagreement: The disagreement arose over the continuation of four resolutions and the extension of the movement to the rest of the country.
• Failure of Moderates: When moderates failed to make significant inroads, extremists got agitated.
• Impatience of the Extremists: The extremists, led by figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, grew impatient with the slow progress made by the moderates in achieving significant gains against British rule. They believed that more radical methods were necessary to achieve independence.
• Bengal Split Agitation Issue: The demand for Swaraj (self-governance) during the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal, championed by the extremists, clashed with the moderates’ desire to confine the movement to Bengal alone. This difference in approach further strained the relationship between the two factions.
• International influences: Extremists were also inspired by two occurrences outside India, namely the defeat of Russia by Japan and the defeat of the Italian Army by Ethiopians, both of which shattered the image of European might.
• Inaction of Morley: Extremists were optimistic about the nomination of a new Secretary of State, Morley, but he did nothing about the partition question, which angered the Extremists.
• Leadership Dispute: The 1907 session of the Congress was marred by a leadership dispute. The moderates, fearing the election of Tilak as president, moved the session from Nagpur to Surat. The extremists wanted either Tilak or Lala Lajpat Rai as president, while the moderates supported Rash Behari Ghose.
• Disruption and Adjournment of the Meeting: The first meeting was disrupted, and when it resumed the following day, Tilak was denied the opportunity to speak. This led to a physical fight and the subsequent adjournment of the meeting sine die. The British authorities saw this as an opportunity to control the Congress’s activities and banned the extremists from future Congress meetings.

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Surat Split Fallout: Divisions, Militancy, and British Gains

The Surat Split of 1907 had several consequences for the Indian National Congress (INC) and the broader Indian independence movement:

• Divided into two parties: The Indian National Congress (INC) Surat Split resulted in the party being divided into two parties, the Extremists and the Moderates.
• Failed Reconciliation Attempts: Rabindranath Tagore made unsuccessful efforts to reconcile the moderates and extremists following the Surat Split, highlighting the difficulty in repairing the divide within the INC.
• Disqualification of Extremist Section: The adoption of resolutions at the 1908 Allahabad convention sought to permanently disqualify the extremist section of the Congress, further exacerbating the divide.
• Weakened Congress: This schism weakened Congress and hampered its ability to fight for Indian independence.
• Prominence of extremists: With extremists gaining prominence and eventually driving Congress towards a more militant and extreme approach to winning independence.
• Shift in Demands: The Surat Split led to a divergence in the demands of the moderates and extremists. Extremists called for full independence, while the moderates advocated for colonial self-government.
• Limited Impact of Constitutional Politics: The constitutional politics pursued by the moderates, as seen in the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909, did not resonate with the British government, diminishing their influence.
• Rise of Revolutionary Movements: Neglect of the younger generation by the moderates and their focus on constitutional methods led to the popularity of revolutionary movements seeking more radical outcomes.
• Divide-and-Rule Strategy: The British government employed a divide-and-rule strategy to suppress militant nationalists and maintain control, taking advantage of the divisions within the Indian independence movement.
• Dormancy of Moderate-Dominated Congress: The moderate-dominated Congress went dormant following the imprisonment of leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, further weakening the party.
• Setback for Congress: The introduction of separate electorates for Muslims in 1909, which left out important sections of the INC, was a setback for Congress and hindered the goal of united national representation.
• Impetus for reforms: The Surat Split was the impetus for the 1909 Minto-Morley Reform.
• Overall Benefit to British Government: The Surat Split ultimately benefited the British government, as it weakened the Indian nationalist movement and allowed them to maintain control and divide the opposition.

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Conclusion

The moderates and extremists were the nation’s brain and heart. The Surat divide is referred to as a national disaster. The departure of the extremists from Congress had a significant impact on the moderates, and the national movement came to a halt for a time. The ideology and revolutionary efforts of the Extremists provided the people with new hope and strength to confront the British. After an eight-year separation, the Moderates and Extremists reunited in Lucknow in 1916.

Previous Year Question (Prelims)

Q1. What was the main reason for the Surat Split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907? [2016]

1. Introduction of communalism into Indian politics
2. Extremists’ lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government
3. Foundation of Muslim League

Aurobindo Ghosh’s inability to the elected as the President of the Indian National Congress

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