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Who were the moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress before independence?
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Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress leaders Mahatma Gandhi (left) and Sarojini Naidu (right) on the Salt March in western India, March 1930.
In the early years of the Indian National Congress, the "moderate" faction advocated for political reform through constitutional methods, such as petitions, legislative advocacy, and negotiations with British authorities, rather than through direct action. These leaders believed that effective change could be achieved by working within the existing colonial framework.12
Key moderate leaders included:
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale: A prominent leader who emphasized constitutional methods and founded the Servants of India Society to train individuals in political education and social reform.1
- Dadabhai Naoroji: Known as the "Grand Old Man of India," he was a cofounder of the Congress and a vocal critic of British economic policy, famously articulating the "Drain of Wealth" theory.32
- Surendranath Banerjea: A cofounder of the Congress who played a significant role in the party's early development.43
- Pherozeshah Mehta: A key figure who, alongside Gokhale and Naoroji, emphasized the importance of legal and constitutional channels for reform.1
By 1907, internal disagreements over these moderate tactics versus the more assertive, "extremist" approach led to a formal split within the party.41