Era of Moderates – Free Modern History Notes for UPSC 2025

The era of moderates in the Indian National Congress (INC) marks a crucial phase in India’s struggle for independence. Spanning from the inception of the INC in 1885 to the early 20th century, this period was characterized by the leadership of moderate leaders who advocated for gradual reforms and constitutional methods to achieve political goals. The moderate leaders of the INC, including Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee, laid the groundwork for the nationalist movement by emphasizing dialogue with the British government, education, and social reform. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of the era of moderates in shaping India’s nationalist movement and its impact on the trajectory of Indian history. In this blog we explore era of moderates in detail providing free notes for your better preparation.

Who were the Moderates?

The Moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC) from 1885 to 1905 were known for their moderate demands and adherence to legal methods.
They believed in gradual constitutional reforms, economic relief, administrative reorganization, and the protection of civil rights.
These leaders were staunch believers in liberalism and moderate politics, distinct from the more radical Extremists who emerged later.

Response of British Government:

British authorities viewed the growing nationalist movement with hostility and distrust.
They labeled nationalist leaders as disloyal and seditious, displaying a negative attitude towards the INC from the beginning.

Important Moderate Leaders:

Key Moderate leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjea, S.N. Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

Methods adopted during Moderate Phase:

Moderates believed in peaceful and constitutional agitation within the law, advocating for gradual progress.
They adhered to the principles of Petition, Prayer, and Protest to convey public demands to the authorities.
They aimed to achieve freedom through incremental steps, relying on public opinion and presenting demands through petitions, meetings, resolutions, and speeches.

Medium of communication:

The press and annual sessions served as important communication channels for the Moderates.
Congress propaganda was disseminated through the press, which played a crucial role in spreading their message.

Annual sessions of INC:

During annual gatherings, Government policies were discussed, and resolutions were passed.
However, the limitation was that these sessions occurred only three days annually, lacking continuity in between sessions.

Strong faith in the British Government:

Moderates had faith in the essential justice and goodness of the British nation.
They believed that presenting the true state of affairs in India to the British would lead to positive outcomes, hence diligently worked towards this goal.

British Committee of INC:

In 1889, the British Committee of the INC was established to advance propaganda efforts.
The committee launched its publication, India, in 1890, to further disseminate the Indian viewpoint.

Major Demands during Moderate Phase

During the Moderate phase of the Indian National Congress (INC), there were minimal changes in the Congress program. The major demands remained consistent with those formulated in the initial sessions.

Leaders’ Caution:

Throughout this period, leaders exercised caution in presenting their demands, aiming to avoid provoking the government and risking suppression of their activities.

Key Demands:

Establishment of provincial councils
Conducting simultaneous examinations for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in India and England
Abolition or reconstitution of the Indian Council
Separation of the Judiciary from the executive
Repeal of the Arms Act
Appointment of Indians to commissioned ranks in the Army
Reduction of military expenditure
Expansion of Permanent Settlement to other parts of India
Freedom of speech and expression
“No taxation without representation” – demanding Indian control over public funds, echoing the American slogan from their War of Independence.

Demand for Swaraj:

The INC, during the Moderate Phase, began demanding Swaraj or self-rule for Indians within the British Empire, inspired by self-governing colonies like Australia or Canada.
G.K. Gokhale first mentioned this demand in 1905, later articulated by Dadabhai Naoroji in 1906.

Nature of Economic Demands: While their political demands were moderate, economic demands were radical, advocating anti-imperialist economic policies.

Response to Demands: Despite repeated presentation of these demands, the Government responded minimally, if at all, to them.

Achievements

Economic Critique of British Imperialism:
- Nationalists highlighted the detrimental impact of British rule on India’s economy, citing high military expenditure, poverty, and famines.
- They attributed peasant and zamindar impoverishment to increased land revenue and blamed food shortages on grain exports to Europe.
- Through the Drain Theory, they illustrated foreign exploitation of India, resonating deeply with the public.
Resolutions at INC Sessions:
- INC sessions addressed issues such as the salt tax, treatment of overseas Indian laborers, and hardships faced by forest dwellers.
- They advocated for fundamental changes in economic relations between India and England, resisting India’s transformation into a raw material supplier for British industries.
Constitutional Reforms and Legislative Propaganda:
- Nationalists pushed for the expansion and reform of Legislative Councils, seeking greater Indian participation in governance.
- The Indian Councils Act of 1892 was a result of their agitation, though deemed unsatisfactory by nationalists.
Campaign for Administrative Reform:
- They advocated for Indianization of the administration, challenging racial discrimination prevalent in key positions.
Protection of Civil Rights:
- Nationalists emphasized freedom of the press and speech, opposing any restrictions as part of the struggle for freedom.
- Efforts to eliminate press restrictions became integral to the nationalist movement.
Welfare Activities:
- Moderate leaders emphasized primary education promotion and advocated for the establishment of agricultural banks to aid peasants.

Overall, the nationalists during the Moderate Phase made significant contributions by critiquing British imperialism, advocating for economic and administrative reforms, and championing civil rights and welfare initiatives.

Contribution

Limited Success and Criticisms:

Initially, the nationalist movement and the INC faced limited success as the government implemented few advocated reforms.
Critics noted that the movement lacked widespread support among the masses.

Building upon Achievements:

Subsequent generations aimed to address these weaknesses, building upon the achievements of the early movement for a more robust national movement.
The Moderate Phase provided political training, promoted democratic and nationalist ideas, and raised awareness about the detrimental effects of British rule.

Key Achievements:

Raised awareness about the economic nature of British imperialism.
Formulated a unified political and economic agenda for future struggles.
Established the principle of governance in India’s best interests.

Participation and Inclusiveness:

The moderate leadership, belonging to the urban educated middle class, demonstrated broad-mindedness and inclusiveness.
Congress welcomed individuals from all classes and communities, functioning more as a movement than a mere party.

Economic Critique and British Hostility:

Congress leaders provided a valuable critique of the financial underpinnings of British rule.
British government hostility towards Congress increased, supporting movements like Aligarh as a counter.

Evolution of Congress Goals:

Moderates, like Gokhale and Naoroji, began advocating for self-rule or Swaraj as Congress’s ultimate goal.

Challenges and Rise of Extremists:

Moderates faced challenges as extremist leadership emerged within Congress, drawing support from a younger segment.
Extremists eventually took center stage within Congress, altering the movement’s dynamics.

In conclusion, the Moderate Phase of the Indian nationalist movement, led by the Indian National Congress (INC), marked a crucial period in India’s journey towards independence. Despite facing limitations and challenges, the nationalists made significant achievements that laid the groundwork for future struggles.

During this phase, nationalists raised political awareness among Indians, critiqued British imperialism’s economic exploitation, and formulated a unified agenda for political and economic reforms. They emphasized inclusiveness, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, and advocated for civil liberties and social welfare initiatives.

While the Moderate Phase witnessed limited success in implementing reforms, it played a pivotal role in shaping the nationalist movement’s trajectory. The shift towards advocating for self-rule or Swaraj reflected the evolving aspirations of the Indian people and set the stage for future political movements.

Overall, the achievements of nationalists during the Moderate Phase paved the way for the subsequent phases of the independence struggle, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a commitment to India’s freedom and prosperity. As the movement progressed, the ideals and principles established during this phase continued to inspire generations of Indians in their quest for independence and nation-building.