Question

The conflict between the two sections of the Congress came to surface in its session in 1906 at Calcutta. In this context explain the following:
State any four methods that they advocated for the achievement of their aims.

Answer 1

Hint: The assertive nationalists and early nationalists were the two conflicting sections of the Congress who were divided in the time of Surat session. The assertive nationalists were those who wanted to extend boycott and Swadeshi to the rest of India whereas the early nationalists were those who wanted to confine their activities to Bengal only.

Complete answer: The major methods advocated for the achievement of aims include:
- Boycott
- Swadeshi
- National education
- Passive resistance
Boycotting of foreign goods was emphasised in an effort to promote local Indian industries. It also aimed at giving employment opportunities to the people.
Swadeshi refers to the use of goods which are produced by domestic industries. It aimed at making India self-reliant and self-sufficient. The assertive nationalists employed Swadeshi as a tool to promote the Indian industries and it was also to attack the economic interests of the British.
As an alternative to the government-controlled educational institutions, a national scheme of education was designed. In East Bengal, a large number of national schools were established.
The policy of nonviolent and passive resistance was used by the assertive nationalists along with a strong political action for achieving independence of India.

Note: Methods like non-cooperation, mass agitation and measures for self-reliance were also followed in order to achieve the aims. The early nationalists were not successful in accomplishing their objectives and that is how another group of leaders known as assertive nationalists came up. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, who are known collectively as the Lal-Bal-Pal trio were the most important leaders of the assertive nationalists.