Question

What was the main objective of the assertive nationalists?
A. The immediate attainment of Swaraj
B. Attainment of dominion status
C. Immediate attainment of dominion status and then gradually swaraj
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint:
 The efforts made by the early Nationalist leaders through their agitation and petitions to the British Government exposed the true character of colonial rule in India. The British Rule was majorly responsible for the economic ruin of India and her growing poverty.

Complete answer:
 The main objective of the assertive nationalists was the immediate attainment of Swaraj. These people wanted to intensify the struggle, to awaken the masses politically, to secure their participation in the movement and to force the government to bow before public opinion.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak is known as the ‘Father of Assertive Nationalism ‘ as he played a leading role in popularising the cult of patriotism. He made the Congress movement broad-based. He was the first freedom fighter to openly declare the demand for Swaraj or independence of India. His beliefs included the aggressive demand of political rights and he started two newspapers through which he preached nationalism.

The young elements in the Congress were dissatisfied with the achievements of the early nationalists. They criticized the method of peaceful constitutional agitation. These Assertive Nationalists advocated the adoption of European revolutionary methods to meet the British imperialism. The early nationalists failed to get something substantial from the British government and it led to the demand for more vigorous political action using a very radical approach.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
Bipin Chandra Pal is known as the ‘Father of the Revolutionary Thought in India’ and he propagated his brand of nationalism through newspapers. He strongly opposed the caste-system and advocated widow-remarriage.