History & Civics
What were the issues on which the two wings of the Congress had differences of opinion? How did the British exploit the differences between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists?
Answer
The issues on which the two wings of the Congress had differences of opinion were-
- The Assertive Nationalists wanted to extend the Swadeshi and boycott to the rest of India and make it a vehicle for a full-fledged political mass struggle leading to Swaraj. The Early Nationalists, however, did not approve it for the whole of India and wanted it to be confined to Bengal only.
- There was also a disagreement over the candidature of the next President. The Assertive Nationalists proposed the name of Lala Lajpat Rai as President of the Surat Session. The Early Nationalists proposed the name of Rashbehari Ghosh. When the session at Surat began in December 1907 there was utter confusion.
The British exploited the differences between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists. The British adopted a policy of 'concession and repression' — concession for the Early Nationalists as well as the Muslims and repression to the Assertive Nationalists.
Related Questions
What do you mean by the terms 'Swadeshi' and 'Boycott'?
Read the excerpt given below and answer the question that follows:
Tagore's 'Banglar mati, Banglar jol', and the sentiment of brotherhood and patriotism that it invokes
In 1905, Curzon partitioned Bengal on communal lines which Rabindranath Tagore opposed strongly, and wrote a hymn for communal harmony, brotherhood, and a united Bengali identity. The TMC government has now declared 'Banglar mati, Banglar jol' the state anthem.
The song calls for unity for all Bengalis by invoking the beauty of Bengal - its natural environs, its language, its people, and its soul. This is perhaps best expressed in the final stanza of the song which is loosely translated as:
The soil of Bengal, the water of Bengal; The air of Bengal, the fruit of Bengal; Let them be blessed; Oh my Lord.
[All] Bengalis' life, [all] Bengalis' soul; All brothers and sisters in Bengal's homes, may they be united; Oh my Lord— Indian Express, September 9, 2023
Name another song composed by Rabindranath Tagore during the Anti-partition agitation.
Who among the following annulled the Partition of Bengal?
- Lord Hardinge
- Lord Reading
- Lord Irwin
- Lord Minto
Read the two statements given below about the Partition of Bengal and select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (B).
(A) The partition of Bengal "was a mere readjustment of administrative boundaries."
(B) The nationalists believed that the Government did not intend to strike at the roots of Indian nationalism.
- (B) contradicts (A).
- (B) is the reason for (A).
- (A) is true, but (B) is false.
- (A) and (B) are independent of each other.