There was a fundamental change in the nature of Indian nationalism under extremist leadership due to their forceful articulation of the demand for ‘Swaraj’ and use of more radical methods than those of the moderates.

However, they did take a sympathetic view of the activities of the revolutionaries.

Further, The Extremist leaders disfavoured the use of violence against British rule and did not approve the methods of political murder and assassination used by the Indian revolutionaries.

These enterprises were based more on patriotic zeal than on business acumen

The swadeshi spirit also found expression in the establishment of swadeshi textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, insurance companies, shops, etc.

Simultaneously they were forms of popular expression

Public meetings and processions emerged as major methods of mass mobilisation.

‘ Passive Resistance’ to British rule by non-payment of revenue and taxes and by organising separate ‘indigenous administrative institutions’ parallel to those of the British at the level of villages, talukas and districts.

Establishment of schools and colleges that gave education in the Indian languages and instil in the students pride for the glorious heritage of India, make the students nationalistic and public spirited in character and knowledgeable, self-reliant and independent in spirit.

Non-cooperation with the bureaucracy this included ‘boycott’ of governmental activities.

‘Boycott’ of foreign goods and promotion of ‘Swadeshi’ goods to give impetus to the growth of indigenous industry and commerce.

The Extremist programme involved the following activities:.

Therefore, it was necessary to use pressure to make them accept the demands, not by petitioning or praying like the moderates, but by openly agitating against them.

Since exploitation of India was the chief motive of the British, the extremists did not expect them to take a sympathetic view of the popular demands of the Indian people.

Unlike moderates, the extremist leaders neither believed in the goodness of the British rule nor in their sense of justice and fair play.

Their radical ideology and programme became popular during the movement against Partition of Bengal, also known as the ‘Swadeshi Movement’.

They became prominent after the Partition of Bengal in 1905.

All these instilled a sense of self-respect and self-confidence in the Indian Nationalists.The defeat of the Italian Army by the Ethiopians in 1896, and the Russian Army by the Japanese in 1905, showed that the Europeans were not invincible.Revolutionary movements in Ireland, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, China and the Boer War in South Africa made the Indian leaders aware that the British rule could only be challenged by putting a united stand against it.Various international events also gave impetus to the growth of extremism in India.At the end of the 19th century, a strong feeling arose among the people that more radical political action was needed to force the British to accept popular demands.As a result a number of politically conscious people became frustrated and disillusioned.The ‘peaceful’ methods used by the moderate leaders were not effective in making the British Government accept their demands.

Though the uprising was brutally suppressed by the British, the ideas of ‘Swadharma’ and ‘Swaraj’, which had kindled the uprising continued to linger on as an undercurrent among the Indian people.In fact it had been growing steadily since the uprising of 1857. The rise of extremism on the Indian political scene was not sudden.Previous Years' Question Papers-Prelims.

Insta 75 days Revision Tests for Prelims 2022.Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Prelims 2024.

Tao quotes on extremism