Question

Who among the following was an extremist leader in the early phase of congress?
(A) Dadabhai Naroji
(B) Gopalkrishna Gokhale
(C) C. Rajgopalachari
(D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Answer 1

Hint: The Indian National Congress has widespread origins as a political party in India. Established in 1885, in Asia and Africa, it was the first new nationalist movement in the British Empire to emerge.

Complete answer: At the Surat session of 1907, the congress was split into two factions, Extremist and Moderate. The Moderates believed in the strategies of constitutional demonstrations, such as petitions, prayers, assemblies, etc. Extremists, on the other hand felt that their demands were forced by agitation, strikes and boycotts. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an extremist and opposed the method of petitions of the moderates, especially against the struggle for self-government.
Born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an Indian nationalist, teacher, and activist for independence. He was one third of the triumvirate at Lal Bal Pal. The first leader of the Indian Independence Movement was Tilak. He was also granted the title of "Lokmanya," which means "accepted by the people, Mahatma Gandhi called him "The Maker of Modern India." The British colonial authorities called him "The father of the Indian unrest.
Tilak was one of Swaraj's first and strongest supporters and an influential radical in the consciousness of India. "In Marathi, he is known for his quote: "Swarajya is my birthright and I will have it!". He formed a near alliance with many leaders of the Indian National Congress.

Note: Congress became the principal leader of the Indian independence movement from the late 19th century, and especially after 1920, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Congress led India to independence from Britain, and strongly inspired the British Empire's other anti-colonial nationalist movements.