A new class of leaders emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century, unlike the earlier

moderate leaders. A catalyst for the rise of extremists within the Indian National Movement was the
Partition of Bengal in 1905. Known for their extreme methods, the extremist class was created. In
order to end the British rule in India, this class used aggressive tactics. The anti-partition Bengal
agitation gave rise to the political orientation of the extremists within the Congress. Following the
partition of Bengal by the British, who did not heed the cries of the masses to keep its unity, a new
youth group rose up known as the Neo-Nationalists or Extremists. Leaders of this group were largely
young, and most were opposed to the tactics employed by the moderate group. 

Causes for the Rise of the Extremism in

The Indian National Movement:
 There was an inadequate response from the government during the famines and plagues of
the late 1890s. The Indians were left feeling completely helpless as a result of these events.

 Discontent among nationalists increased as a result of rising unemployment and

underemployment.

 Dadabhai Naoroji demonstrated to the Indian people that the British were exploitative and
were responsible for the economic miseries in India because of their constant drain of
wealth.

 Among the masses, the unjust rule of the British became more apparent with the spread of
education.

 It was evident to the nationalists that the government, instead of giving Indian rights, actually
took them away from them.

 As a consequence of Japan’s outstanding progress, Indians realised that economic progress

could be achieved without any external assistance.

 After the partition of Bengal against the Indians in 1905, the mass movement and
nationalists were triggered.

 Younger members of Congress were dissatisfied with the moderates’ accomplishments and
harshly criticised the methods they used. 

 There was great resentment among the masses resulting from the reactionary policies of
Curzon, such as the official secret act, the Calcutta Corporation Act, and the Indian
Universities Act.
Methods Used By the Indian National
Movement in Extreme Period:
Leaders of the extremist movement responded violently to British repression. They used specific
tactics to demoralise the British administration and paralyse the British in India before ejecting them
totally from the country. A few of the methods included Swadeshi, boycott, national education, and
mass involvement.

 The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement: The Swadeshi Movement was officially announced at
a meeting in Calcutta Townhall, in August 1905. Swadeshi and Boycott were proclaimed in a
wide range of public meetings in cities and towns all over Bengal, and in most major cities
and towns throughout India. There were two aspects to the movement. A vigorous drive was
made for the production and sale of Swadeshi goods, on the other hand, British goods were
burnt in public and shops which sold them were picketed. As a result of Swadeshi, foreign
goods are also being boycotted by non-Indians, rather than just Indians. The Swadeshi
Movement was influential in establishing textile mills, national banks, and chemical factories.
Thousands of Swadeshi stores were developed throughout the country to serve the people. 

 National Education Movement: As a whole, the existing system of education failed to meet
the nation’s needs and aspirations. Foreign rulers introduced a system of education that did
not correspond to Indian tradition or culture. Due to the fact that English was also the
medium of instruction, the mother tongue was hardly spoken. Throughout the country,
national universities and colleges, independent of the government, were proposed by
national leaders. The Bengal Council for National Education was responsible for establishing
the Bengal National College in Calcutta. The East Bengal region grew rapidly with numerous
national schools. Under the supervision of the DAV Society, Punjab established many
educational institutions of national significance. A large number of educated Indians quit their
government jobs and became teachers at nationalist schools and colleges on a very limited
salary.

 Call for the Masses: In order to spread nationalism among the masses and unite them
against the British, extremists used festivals and melas. The extremists wanted to increase
their movement’s base of support by bringing in the common masses. As a result, nationalist
movements did not only benefit a few intelligent people, but also reached out to the
peasantry, irrespective of caste, creed, or gender. Terrorism and revolution attracted many
men and women. Cooperative organisations were encouraged by extremists as well.
Conclusion:

Extremists, in contrast to liberals, were hostile to Western culture and civilisation.Involving the lower
middle classes in the freedom struggle broadened the basis of the national movement. Throughout
the country’s freedom struggle, they established reactionary trends against Westernization,
strengthening the moral base of participants by promoting India’s cultural heritage. After a while, it
became clear that the extremists and moderates wouldn’t get along. It was called off a number of
times before it ended naturally, so the mass movement failed to win India’s independence. However,
Gandhi’s nonviolent philosophy triggered Indians. For the purpose of organising the education
system, the National Council of Education was established. India’s extreme nationalists were
responsible for fundamentally changing Indian nationalism by demanding full independence, known
as Swaraj. The movement they led, led to the annulment of the partition and the unification of
Bengal. Furthermore, the unity of Indians was further detrimental to the British government. Hence, it
was the nationalist movements in India that paved the way for India’s independence.