IAS Mains General Studies Sample Answers

Objectives of the Indian National Movement & Its Basic Weaknesses. Discuss!

Indian national movement (INM) dominated mainly by the moderate leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, W.C. Banerji, S.N. Banerji, G.K. Gokhale, D.E. wacha, Firozshah Mehta etc. during the period up to 1905. They staunchly believed in liberalism and moderate politics and thus known as mode rates. Main objectives of the INM up to 1905 were as follows.

• Within limits of law and constitutional methods protest against colonialism.
• Develop and propagate an anti colonial nationalist ideology.
• Carefully promote and nurture the feelings of Indian Nationhood.
• Though resolutions, petitions, meetings present public demand to the government.
• Build up public opinion, politicize and politically educate people.

Time was not ripe to directly challenge the British rule at that period of time, they believed. The moderates believed that the British wanted to be basically just to the Indians but were not aware of the real conditions. Moderates were able to create a wide national awakening of all Indians and above all, the feeling of belongingness to one nation.

However during this period INM has some weaknesses also the moderate phase of the INM had a narrow social base and the masses played a passive role. The moderates has no proper faith in the mass-movement they could not popularize the ideas to the bottom. Their aim was just to transform the conditional rule to national rule. Moderates confined their movement only to the educational class and a majority of illiterate Indians were not able to participate in this methodology. Inspire of these weaknesses they were the true pioneer in INM and of national spirit and they bring unity and political awareness in INM.

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