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Home / IAS Preparation / Difference Between Early and Assertive Nationalists | Testbook.com

Difference Between Early Nationalist and Assertive Nationalist

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The difference between early nationalist and assertive nationalist views is pivotal to understanding the evolution of the Indian independence movement. Early nationalism differs much from assertive nationalism, which defined the Indian independence movement's trajectories. Early nationalists, or what was popularly referred to as moderates, believed in gradual reform and constitutional methods for obtaining concessions from the British. They sought to build a consensus and were convinced that India could obtain self-governance through dialogue, petitions, and legislative reforms. More assertive nationalists also emerged from frustration with the slow pace of change. These more adamant nationalists are called extremists. They argued for more direct and sometimes radical action: boycotts, mass mobilization, and direct confrontation with colonial authorities to demand complete independence.

The topic of the difference between early nationalists and assertive nationalists forms part of the General Studies Paper I syllabus of the UPSC examination that forms part of the Indian National Movement. This includes the study and discussion of historical developments pertaining to the struggle for Indian independence, and how varied approaches and attitudes led to this change in strategy.

GS Paper

General Studies Paper I

Topics for UPSC Prelims

Indian Freedom Movement, Moderate Phase, Extremist Phase, Political Ideologies

Topics for UPSC Mains

Impact of Early vs Assertive Nationalists, Role in India’s Independence

Who were Early Nationalists?

The early nationalists, often referred to as moderates, were the first leaders of the Indian National Congress. Some of the key figures involved were Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee. This group wanted to work under British rule to bring gradual reforms into the system. They also believed in the principles of justice, fair play, and the British sense of justice.

Characteristics of Early Nationalists

Some of the key characteristics of early nationalists include the following:

  • Faith in British Rule: They hoped that the British rulers would realize policies to their advantage. They felt they would get their self-government if they went on discussion and representation continually.
  • Constitutional Methods: It covered petitions, meetings, speeches, and resolutions for administrative reforms and Indian representation in government.
  • Economic Critique: The moderates raised economic issues of poverty, drain of wealth, and famine; they wanted to bring them to the British parliament notice.

For example, Dadabhai Naoroji has written "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India," a seminal work which presents an elaborate critique on economic grounds so that it would influence British public opinion and the policy-makers.

Read the article on the Freedom Fighters of India and their Contributions!

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Who were Assertive Nationalists?

People in general labelled assertive nationalists or extremists adopted a very militant and radical approach towards the British colonial rulers. Prominent leaders of this group included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai. This stream emerged due to growing frustration and angst over the failure of the moderate approach and because of severe repression action by the British against demands for reform.

Key Characteristics of Assertive Nationalists

Some of the major characteristics of assertive nationalists are:

  • Complete Independence: They demanded that only administrative changes were to bring about complete independence from the British.
  • Mass Involvement: Aggressive nationalists felt that the masses needed to be enrolled; they believed in deriving power from the people by which British rule could be transformed.
  • Direct Action: More aggressive uses of boycotts, swadeshi and passive resistance were involved. They organized processions and demanded svayatva that hurt British economic interests.

Tilak's very famous slogan, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it," carries with it the thrust of the nationalist demand for direct and immediate self-rule.

Read the article on the Causes of Indian National Movement!

Difference Between Early Nationalists and Assertive Nationalists

The table below represents an elaborate comparison between early nationalists and assertive nationalists.

Difference Between Early Nationalists and Assertive Nationalists

Aspect

Early Nationalists (Moderates)

Assertive Nationalists (Extremists)

Ideology

Believed in gradual reform within the British constitutional framework.

Called for total independence and immediate self-governance.

Key Leaders

Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjee

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai

Methods

Petitions, resolutions, meetings, and dialogues

Boycotts, swadeshi movement, mass mobilization, and direct action

Faith in British Sense of Justice

High; believed in the British principles of justice and fair play

Low; disillusioned by British repressive measures

Economic Focus

Critiqued British economic policies and demanded administrative reforms

Pushed for economic independence through self-reliance and boycott of British goods

Public Mobilization

Less emphasis on mass involvement, a more significant role was assigned to the enlightening of elite and middle class

Aggressive mobilization of masses, either it was the rural people or the labor force

Response to British Rule

Looked for representation as well as reform through non-violent ways

Willingness to fight with the colonial authorities through militant means 

Influence and Legacy

This gave a base to the Indian political activism as well as awareness 

Created a fervor among people thus bringing bigger sections into freedom movement as well as radicalism approach.

Read the article on the Difference Between Moderates and Extremists!

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Ideological Approach:
    • Early Nationalists (Moderates): They were of the opinion that there should be gradual reform through constitutionalism and a dialogue with the British.
    • Assertive Nationalists (Extremists): They supported direct action, self-reliance, and independence without delay.
  • Leadership: Among the Early Nationalists, the most prominent leaders were Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta. Assertive Nationalists included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.
  • Methods: Early Nationalists adopted the methods of petitions, resolutions, and delegations. Assertive Nationalists resorted to boycotts, protests, and even radical steps in extreme circumstances.
  • Objectives: The objects of Early Nationalists were administrative reforms, greater self-rule, and economic improvement. The object of Assertive Nationalists was political independence.
  • Followers Base: Early nationalists gained followers mainly amongst the class of educated people, the higher class, and middle class Indians. Aggressive nationalists further attracted more youthful people and lower middle class people.
  • British response: The British response was amenable with the early nationalists but saw aggressive nationalists as threats to their colonial rule and addressed them by hard measures.
  • Important Events: The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 by Early Nationalists. Aggressive Nationalists led some of the most significant movements including Swadeshi Movement and demanding for Swaraj or self-rule.
  • Impact: The tactics and theories of both sections provided a foundation for India's struggle for independence. The latter phase's aggressiveness gained a momentum that eventually led to the Quit India Movement and India's independence.

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Difference Between Early Nationalists and Assertive Nationalists UPSC FAQs

These include those leading figures and extreme assertive nationalists. Other leaders that include those assertive nationalists are; Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, demanding full independence of India by using techniques such as mass mobilization, direct action.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was also nicknamed "Father of Indian Unrest" for his effort at galvanizing fierce independence, giving way to an assertive nationalist movement.

The three leading assertive nationalists are known as Lal-Bal-Pal: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.

The early nationalists believed that they should act within the framework of British law and constitution for gradual reform and self-governance. Assertive nationalists wanted absolute and instant independence through extreme and combative action, usually by radicals.

The early nationalists, or moderates, tried to influence the British decisions through petitions, speeches, and peaceful protests and hoped that the British were fair. More strident nationalists used tactics that included boycotts, swadeshi, and mass protest movements, fueled by demands for complete independence and doubt in British good intentions.

The British exploited these differences by working with the moderates to placate more hardline demands, offering minimal concessions to divide the movement. They also put down assertive nationalists more severely, thus attempting to portray them as dangerous and fractious elements of the freedom struggle.
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