Indian National Movement- Extremist Period

A new class of leaders emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century, unlike the earlier moderate leaders. A catalyst for the rise of extremists within the Indian National Movement was the Partition of Bengal in 1905. Known for their extreme methods, the extremist class was created. In order to end the British rule in India, this class used aggressive tactics. The anti-partition Bengal agitation gave rise to the political orientation of the extremists within the Congress. Following the partition of Bengal by the British, who did not heed the cries of the masses to keep its unity, a new youth group rose up known as the Neo-Nationalists or Extremists. Leaders of this group were largely young, and most were opposed to the tactics employed by the moderate group. 

Causes for the Rise of the Extremism in The Indian National Movement:

• There was an inadequate response from the government during the famines and plagues of the late 1890s. The Indians were left feeling completely helpless as a result of these events.
• Discontent among nationalists increased as a result of rising unemployment and underemployment.
• Dadabhai Naoroji demonstrated to the Indian people that the British were exploitative and were responsible for the economic miseries in India because of their constant drain of wealth.
• Among the masses, the unjust rule of the British became more apparent with the spread of education.
• It was evident to the nationalists that the government, instead of giving Indian rights, actually took them away from them.
• As a consequence of Japan’s outstanding progress, Indians realised that economic progress could be achieved without any external assistance.
• After the partition of Bengal against the Indians in 1905, the mass movement and nationalists were triggered.
• Younger members of Congress were dissatisfied with the moderates’ accomplishments and harshly criticised the methods they used. 
• There was great resentment among the masses resulting from the reactionary policies of Curzon, such as the official secret act, the Calcutta Corporation Act, and the Indian Universities Act.

Methods Used By the Indian National Movement in Extreme Period:

Leaders of the extremist movement responded violently to British repression. They used specific tactics to demoralise the British administration and paralyse the British in India before ejecting them totally from the country. A few of the methods included Swadeshi, boycott, national education, and mass involvement.

• The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement: The Swadeshi Movement was officially announced at a meeting in Calcutta Townhall, in August 1905. Swadeshi and Boycott were proclaimed in a wide range of public meetings in cities and towns all over Bengal, and in most major cities and towns throughout India. There were two aspects to the movement. A vigorous drive was made for the production and sale of Swadeshi goods, on the other hand, British goods were burnt in public and shops which sold them were picketed. As a result of Swadeshi, foreign goods are also being boycotted by non-Indians, rather than just Indians. The Swadeshi Movement was influential in establishing textile mills, national banks, and chemical factories. Thousands of Swadeshi stores were developed throughout the country to serve the people. 
• National Education Movement: As a whole, the existing system of education failed to meet the nation’s needs and aspirations. Foreign rulers introduced a system of education that did not correspond to Indian tradition or culture. Due to the fact that English was also the medium of instruction, the mother tongue was hardly spoken. Throughout the country, national universities and colleges, independent of the government, were proposed by national leaders. The Bengal Council for National Education was responsible for establishing the Bengal National College in Calcutta. The East Bengal region grew rapidly with numerous national schools. Under the supervision of the DAV Society, Punjab established many educational institutions of national significance. A large number of educated Indians quit their government jobs and became teachers at nationalist schools and colleges on a very limited salary.
• Call for the Masses: In order to spread nationalism among the masses and unite them against the British, extremists used festivals and melas. The extremists wanted to increase their movement’s base of support by bringing in the common masses. As a result, nationalist movements did not only benefit a few intelligent people, but also reached out to the peasantry, irrespective of caste, creed, or gender. Terrorism and revolution attracted many men and women. Cooperative organisations were encouraged by extremists as well.

Conclusion:

Extremists, in contrast to liberals, were hostile to Western culture and civilisation.Involving the lower middle classes in the freedom struggle broadened the basis of the national movement. Throughout the country’s freedom struggle, they established reactionary trends against Westernization, strengthening the moral base of participants by promoting India’s cultural heritage. After a while, it became clear that the extremists and moderates wouldn’t get along. It was called off a number of times before it ended naturally, so the mass movement failed to win India’s independence. However, Gandhi’s nonviolent philosophy triggered Indians. For the purpose of organising the education system, the National Council of Education was established. India’s extreme nationalists were responsible for fundamentally changing Indian nationalism by demanding full independence, known as Swaraj. The movement they led, led to the annulment of the partition and the unification of Bengal. Furthermore, the unity of Indians was further detrimental to the British government. Hence, it was the nationalist movements in India that paved the way for India’s independence.