INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT (1905-1916)

The period from 1905 was known as the era of extremism in the Indian National Movement. The extremists or the aggressive nationalists believed that success could be achieved through bold means. The important extremist leaders were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh.

Causes for the Rise of Extremism

1. The failure of the Moderates to win any notable success other than the expansion of the legislative councils by the Indian Councils Act (1892).

2. The famine and plague of 1896-97 which affected the whole country and the suffering of the masses.

3. The economic conditions of the people became worse.

4. The ill-treatment of Indians in South Africa on the basis of colour of skin.

5. The Russo-Japanese war of 1904-5 in which Japan defeated the European power Russia. This encouraged Indians to fight against the European nation, Britain.

6. The immediate cause for the rise of extremism was the reactionary rule of Lord Curzon:

- He passed the Calcutta Corporation Act, (1899) reducing the Indian control of this local body.

- The Universities Act (1904) reduced the elected members in the University bodies. It also reduced the autonomy of the universities and made them government departments.

- The Sedition Act and the Official Secrets Act reduced the freedoms of all people.

- His worst measure was the Partition of Bengal (1905).

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