Table of Contents
Introduction: Surat Split
The Surat Split of the Indian National Congress was a significant event in the history of the Indian independence movement. It occurred during the Congress session held in Surat in December 1907.
The split was primarily between the two factions within the Indian National Congress:
- The Moderates, led by leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, who favored a gradual and constitutional approach towards achieving self-government, and
- The Extremists, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, who advocated for more aggressive means to attain independence from British rule.
Causes of the Surat Split
- Ideological Differences and Approach:
- In the Surat Session of 1907, the Moderates and the Extremists in the Indian National Congress clashed due to their different ideas and approaches. They also had personal disagreements, which made the conflict more intense. This led to a heated argument and a split within the Congress.
- Moderates, Led by leaders such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale, believed in gradual reforms and cooperation with the British authorities. They seek concessions from the British through constitutional methods, petitions, and dialogues to achieve political goals.
- Extremists, Led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, sought immediate self-rule (Swaraj) and were willing to use more assertive and aggressive methods, including agitation, strikes, and boycotts.
- Partition of Bengal (1905): The British decision to partition Bengal in 1905 was a catalyst for growing discontent. The Moderates used peaceful protests, whereas the Extremists demanded stronger actions, such as self-reliance (Swadeshi) and boycotting British goods.
- Leadership Conflict over the Election of President:
- The immediate cause of the split was a disagreement over the selection of the President of the Congress session.
- The Extremists wanted Bal Gangadhar Tilak to preside over the 1907 Congress session, while the Moderates wanted Rash Behari Ghosh. Since Surat was in the home province of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, he could not preside over the meeting.
- The Moderates succeeded in electing Rash Behari Ghosh, which was unacceptable to the Extremists and they staged a walkout, leading to the formal split of the Congress.
Key Points: Surat Split of 1907
- The Surat Split was the splitting of the Indian National Congress (INC) into two groups – the Moderates and Extremists at the Surat session in 1907.
- The split between these two sections became visible at Banaras’ Session of Congress (1905).
- The differences between the moderates and the extremists widened during the Calcutta Session of Congress (1906).
- The 1907 INC meeting was to be held in Nagpur.
Aftermath
- Following the split, the Indian National Congress was divided into two factions: the Moderate faction, which continued to dominate the Congress for some time, and the Extremist faction, which formed its organization called the All India Home Rule League.
- In 1916, they reunited in the Lucknow session of INC.
Surat Split at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Event | Surat Split (1907) |
| Date | December 26, 1907 |
| Location | Surat, Bombay Presidency |
| Key Figures (Moderates) | Rash Behari Ghosh, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta, Surendranath Banerjea, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya |
| – The British colonial government encouraged separate electorates for Muslims (Indian Councils Act 1909) | Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal |
| Cause of Split | – Dissatisfaction with Moderates’ approach (peaceful protests, petitions) |
| – Rise of radicalism due to the Partition of Bengal (1905) | |
| – Moderates supported Rash Behari Ghosh, while Radicals backed Tilak | |
| Key Event at Surat Session | – The 1907 INC meeting moved from Nagpur to Surat to prevent Tilak’s influence |
| – Radicals protested as Tilak was denied the opportunity to speak | |
| – Chaotic scenes: chairs, eggs, shoes thrown; Radicals attacked by Moderate goons | |
| Result of Split | – Permanent division between Moderates and Radicals |
| – Radicals/Extremists expelled from the Congress | |
| Moderates’ Strategy | – Pursued self-government within the British Empire through peaceful methods (petitions, memorandums) |
| Radicals’ Strategy | – Advocated for immediate self-rule using more assertive measures |
| Effect on Hindu-Muslim Relations | – British colonial government encouraged separate electorates for Muslims (Indian Councils Act 1909) |
| Significance | – Major ideological rift in the Indian National Congress |
| – Long-lasting impact on the Indian independence movement |
Surat Split FAQs
What was the reason for the Surat Split?
The Surat Split in 1907 was a division within the Indian National Congress (INC) due to differences between two groups:
Moderates: They believed in gradual reforms through peaceful, constitutional methods and were led by leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
Extremists: Led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, they advocated for more direct and aggressive actions, like boycotts and protests, to achieve self-rule (Swaraj).
The split happened when both groups disagreed on the leadership and approach to India’s freedom struggle, leading to a division in the Congress during its session in Surat.
What is the date of the Surat Split?
The Surat Split occurred on December 26, 1907, during the annual session of the Indian National Congress held in Surat.
Who was the president of the Surat Session in 1907?
Rash Behari Ghosh became the president of the Surat Session in 1907 after the Indian National Congress split into Moderates and Extremists, as the Moderates supported him. The Surat Split took place before the finalization and official announcement of the president for the 1907 session due to intense disagreements between the Moderates and Extremists.
What happened after the Surat Split?
After the Surat Split in 1907, the Indian National Congress (INC) became weak due to the division between the Moderates and Extremists:
Temporary Decline of the Extremists:
The Extremists, led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, were marginalized within the Congress. Many of their leaders were arrested or faced repression from the British government. Tilak, for example, was arrested in 1908 and sentenced to six years of imprisonment in Mandalay, Burma.
Moderates’ Dominance:
The Moderates gained control of the Congress. However, their influence also weakened over time because their methods were seen as too slow and ineffective by many, especially the younger generation of nationalists.
Rise of Separate Movements:
The Extremists began to operate outside the Congress, leading to the rise of revolutionary activities in different parts of India. The Swadeshi and Boycott movements, which had started during the Bengal partition, continued to gain momentum independently.
Reunion in 1916:
The division weakened the overall freedom struggle. However, by 1916, realizing the need for unity, both factions came together again during the Lucknow Pact, where the Congress reunited, and an agreement was reached with the All India Muslim League, marking a significant step in India’s independence movement.
Who presided over the 1907 INC session at Surat?
Ras Behari Ghosh.
Surat Split UPSC PSC MCQs
Q1. When was the first partition of the Indian National Congress held? [UPPSC (Pre) 1991]
- (a) 1907
- (b) 1906
- (c) 1969
- (d) 1911
Ans: (a)
Q2. Surat Split was led by [UKPSC (Mains) 2002]
- (a) Hume
- (b) Dufferin
- (c) Tilak
- (d) Gandhiji
Ans: (c)
Q3. The process of split in the Congress in the early years of the twentieth century began over [BPSC (Pre) 2015]
- (a) strategies of the Congress Movement.
- (b) objectives of the Congress.
- (c) participation of the people in the Congress Movement.
- (d) All of the above
Ans: (d)
Q4. The President of the Surat Session of Indian National Congress (1907) was [UP UDA/LDA (Pre) 2010]
- (a) Dadabhai Naoroji
- (b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- (c) Gopal Krishna Gokhle
- (d) Rash Bihari Ghosh
Ans: (d)
Q5. Consider the following.
Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta Sessions of the Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention or rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress Session held in Surat in 1907.
Which one of the following was not one of those resolutions? [IAS (Pre) 2010]
- (a) Annulment of partitions of Bengal
- (b) Boycott
- (c) National Education
- (d) Swadeshi
Ans: (c)
Q6. What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907? [IAS (Pre) 2016]
- (a) Introduction of Communalism into Indian politics by Lord Minto.
- (b) Extremists’ lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government.
- (c) Foundation of Muslim League.
- (d) Aurobindo Ghosh’s inability to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress.
Ans: (b)
Q7. Consider the following statements with reference to the Congress Session of 1907.
I. It was held in Pune.
II. It was presided by Rasbihari Ghosh.
III. The word ‘Swaraj’ was first used in this Session of Congress.
IV. In this Session, Congress was divided into two groups-extremists and moderates.
Which of the above-mentioned statements is/are correct?
- (a) I and II only
- (b) II and IV only
- (c) II and III only
- (d) All of these
Ans: (b)