Moderate Stage

Prominent moderate leaders believed that knowledge and a significant sense of goodness and justice are important. Some of the most reputable and influential moderate leaders are Badruddin Tayabji, C. Shankaran Aiyar, K.T. Telang, R.M. Shawney, Feroz Shah Mehta, Henry Cotton, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Anand Mohan Bose, A.M. Dharamsi, Dada Bhai Naoroji, W.C. Banerjee, Rahmat Ullah Sayani. The prominent moderate leaders were successful in many terms that impacted the overall achievement of the Indian National Movement. 

Role of Prominent moderate leaders

Prominent moderate leaders played an important role in the Indian National Movement with the help of the Indian National Congress (INC).

• The theory of Constitutionalism was followed by prominent moderate leaders. This concept depicts that the authority of a government needs to be determined based on the constitution and body of laws

• The theory of Gradualism was also an important consideration of prominent moderate leaders

• Three P’s policies were mainly followed by prominent moderate leaders which are prayer, petition, and then protest

• The aims and demands of the moderates suggest that extremist views regarding religion and politics need to be rejected

• Any kind of social change was not also accepted and aimed at by the prominent moderate leaders

• These leaders believe in reconciliation and having patience rather than following confrontation and violence

Aims and demands of the moderates

The role of each moderate leader in the Indian Independence Movement is dependent on the significant aims and demands of the moderates. The prominent moderate leaders were found to rely on significant peaceful and constitutional methods for fulfilling demands and achieving aims. 

Success achieved by moderates

• Successes of the moderates are found in fulfilling one of their demands by passing the Indian Council Act in 1892

• In the Calcutta and Banaras Session, the concept of Swaraj was introduced by these leaders that are followed up to the Lahore session in 1929 as a guiding factor of the National Congress

• As a result of an active protest for the drain theory, the character and deceitful nature of the British were exposed

• An important successful achievement of these leaders is in the constitution of the Webley Commission. This commission was introduced to assess and maintain every detail regarding revenue expenditure

• The successes of the moderates was also found in the reduction of expenditure costs regarding the military

Characteristics of moderate leaders 

• The moderate leaders are found to have the desire of winning over the British

• The method of protest was based on peace and bloodless persuasion procedure

• The belief regarding swadeshi was considered by these leaders. Still, the swadeshi was supported to a certain extent

• The power of self-government was desired and aimed by the prominent moderate leaders

• These leaders expected self-government by staying under the British dominion

• Mass awareness was fully supported by these leaders. It was believed that self-government can only be achieved by well aware citizens. Acquisition of maximum benefits can be measured by only identifying individual necessities regarding rights and opportunities   

Conclusion

Complete freedom from British dominion was not demanded by the prominent moderate leaders. Having an individual and distinct political right with which the Indians can establish self-governance by staying under British governance was the main intention of these leaders. Among all demands, more facilities for women’s education and opportunities were not included. During the first phase of the Indian National Congress, influential moderate leaders play an important role as mentors.