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Surat Split of 1907 - Background, Major Causes, Aftermath, Reason for Failure and Its Impact
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Modern History UPSC Notes
The Surat Split was the division of the Indian National Congress (INC) into Moderates and Radicals (Or extremists), during the Surat session in 1907. However, this division was also visible within the Congress at the Banaras Session (1905), when some leaders, including Tilak, advocated for aggressive resistance rather than the passive resistance employed by the moderates during the Swadeshi Movement or anti-partition movement.
This topic of the Surat Split of Congress is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary) and particularly in the History section of the UPSC Exam.
In this article, We shall discuss the Surat Split 1907, Its Background, its causes, the Ideology of moderates and extremists, its failure, the aftermath of the Surat split, and their overall impacts on the Indian National Movement. You can also enroll and start preparing for History topics through Testbook’s flagship UPSC History Optional Coaching Program.
सूरत विभाजन (1907) हिंदी में भी पढ़ें !
What was Surat Split?
The Surat Split was the split of the Indian National Congress (INC) into two factions, the Moderates and the Extremists, at the Surat session in 1907. The split was caused by ideological differences between the two factions. The Moderates advocated for moderate methods of constitutional agitation. The Extremists advocated for more radical methods, such as boycott and swadeshi.
Background of Surat Split
The role of the Indian National Congress (INC) in the manner of opposing the Partition of Bengal was the main cause of the Split. In 1905, the Banaras session of the INC was presided over by G K Gokhale (moderate). Here the INC took up the issue of the Bengal partition, and both the Moderates and the Extremists supported the cause of Swadeshi and Boycott for Bengal. As time passed by, the Extremists wanted the agitation to be a mass struggle all over the country. But the Moderates still had faith in the British administration and wanted to confine the boycott to Bengal and foreign goods only.
In 1906, the Calcutta session witnessed four resolutions (Swadeshi, Boycott, Swaraj, and National Education). But the meaning of the four resolutions was not clearly spelt out. The Calcutta session was presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji, a moderate leader.
In the 1907 annual session of Congress, the Extremists wanted BG Tilak or Lala Lajpat Rai to be the President. On the other hand, the Moderates wanted Ras Bihari Ghosh to be the President and wanted the four resolutions to be dropped. At the same time, the venue of the session was changed from Nagpur to Surat. Surat was the hometown of BG Tilak, and as per the Congress convention, he could not be the President in his home province, leading Ras Bihari Ghosh to be the Congress President.
Also, read about the Indian National Congress Sessions: President & Outcomes here!
Causes of the Surat Split
Here are some Causes of the Surat Split of Congress;
- The different mindsets of the Moderates and the Extremists regarding the Anti-Partition Movement.
- Four resolutions passed in the Calcutta session were not clearly spelt out.
- In 1906, Morley and Minto started discussing fresh council reforms with the Moderates. As a result, the Moderates wanted the Swadeshi boycott and national education to be dropped.
- The tussle for the presidency in the Calcutta session was intensifying. Extremists believed the loyal moderates could not gain the goal of the Indian Freedom Struggle. Whereas the rising popularity of the Extremists also bore the fruit of fear in the Moderates about their existence.
- Citing the reasons listed above, on the 26th of December 1907, a Congress session was held on the bank of the river Tapti in Surat. Where the INC experienced a split with 1600 delegates. The incident is referred to as the "Surat Split."
Also, read about the Moderate Phase Of the Indian National Movement [Ncert Notes] here!
The Aftermath of the Surat Split
- After the Surat Split 1907, the government started repressive measures against the Extremists. During 1907 and 1911, various laws were passed to check anti-government activities-
- The Seditious Meetings Act 1907.
- The Indian Newspapers (Incitement and Offences Act) 1908.
- Criminal law amendment Act 1908.
- The Indian Press Act 1910.
- BG Tilak was sent to the Mandalay jail for 6 years.
- Lala Lajpat Rai left for Britain.
- Aurobindo Ghosh gave up politics and took up religious work in Pondicherry.
- The government came up with a new strategy ‘Divide and Rule’. For example, the 1909 reform was made to confuse the moderates and appease the Muslims as well.
- Without the Extremists, the moderates were left with no popular base and lost the respect and support of their own people.
- The Seditious Meetings Act 1907.
- The Indian Newspapers (Incitement and Offences Act) 1908.
- Criminal law amendment Act 1908.
- The Indian Press Act 1910.
Also, read about the Indian National Movement: Extremist Period - NCERT here!
Failures of the Surat Split of Congress
Here are some failures of the Surat Split of Congress;
- Tore down the Swaraj resolution by the Moderates.
- The different working strategies of the Moderates and the Extremists.
- Thinking of minority and majority inside the Congress encouraged the British to suppress the nationalists.
- The faith in the British government by the Moderates.
Also, read about the Difference Between Moderates and Extremists here!
Impact of Surat Split
The Surat Split of the Indian National Congress (INC) resulted in the party's division into two groups, i.e., the Extremists and the Moderates. This division weakened Congress and reduced its effectiveness in the fight for Indian independence. However, the Surat Split marked a turning point in the Indian independence movement, with the extremists becoming more prominent and eventually leading Congress toward a more militant and radical approach to achieving independence. It further signaled a shift in the government's mindset towards and policy toward moderate nationalists. The Surat Split was the driving force behind the 1909 Minto-Morley Reform. The Congress was not resurrected until 1916, following the return of the Extremists and the departure of the Moderates. But by this point, everything had changed significantly. Later, as a newcomer to politics, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi allied himself with the extremist movement. He represented a new synthesis of faith and reason, law and impulse, ushering in a new era in modern Indian history known as the Gandhian era.
Also, read about the Gandhian Movements NCM, CDM, and QIM – Know the Details here!
Key Points on Surat Split
- Congress was divided into two branches according to the ideology.
- The British government saw this as an opportunity and started repressive measures against the nationalist leaders. As mentioned above Aftermath of the Surat Split
- A new method of opposing the British government emerged, and the leaders tried to gain complete freedom from the crown.
- The 1907 annual session of the Congress was considered a dark hour of Indian Politics.
Also, read about the British Rule in India - Establishment & Rule of the British Crown here!
Ideological Difference Between Moderates and Extremists
Moderates working depend on the 3 Ps (Prayer, petition, protest). While the Extremists believe in 3S (self-reliance, sacrifice, and strong will). Moderates had faith in the British administration, while the Extremists did not have the feeling and wanted complete freedom. Moderates believe in active resistance, while Extremists believe in passive resistance.
Also, read about the Impact Of British Rule In India - Positive & Negative Impacts here!
Surat Split and the Lucknow Session 1916
The Moderates and the Extremists reunited at the Lucknow session in 1916. The session was presided by Ambika Charan Majumdar. After the Surat Split in 1907, the Moderates started losing their popularity and base among their own people. The Extremists helped the people to fight for their freedom in a different manner. People of India also believed that alone the programs of the Moderates would not help to gain the Swaraj objective. Thus, the need for Extremists in the national movement was felt. The Home Rule League, started by Annie Besant and Tilak (extremist), also helped the extremist to open the door again for Congress. The Lucknow pact is also known as the Congress-League pact. The pact was signed between Congress and the Muslim League. It was possible because of the joint efforts of Tilak and Annie Beasant. Tilak’s demand for a Congress Working Committee was turned down.
Also, read about the Rise of Gandhi in the Indian Freedom Struggle here!
Conclusion
The moderates and the extremists were like the brain and heart of the nation. The Surat split is termed a national calamity. The exit of the extremists from Congress severely affected the moderates, and the national movement also came to a halt for some time. The Extremists’ ideology and revolutionary activities gave the people new hope and strength to fight against the British. After 8 years of separation, the Moderates and the Extremists reunited in 1916 at the Lucknow session.
Also, read about the Formation of the Indian National Congress here!
Download the PDF on Surat Split 1907 for UPSC Exam here.
UPSC Previous Year Questions
Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century? (UPSC Mains 2017, GS Paper 1).
Check out the test series for UPSC IAS Exam here.
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Surat Split Of Congress - FAQs
What was the main reason for the Surat Split of 1907?
The Moderates wanted to confine the anti-partition movement to Bengal only while the extremists wanted to spread it all over the country and to different spheres as well. The main reason for the split in INC in 1907 was the extremists’ lack of faith in the moderates’ ability. In short, propagating the idea and the tussle for the presidency were the basic and main reasons for the split in Surat.
Why did the Surat Split take place?
Ideological differences between Moderates and Extremists and British policy led to the Surat Split. The moderates wanted to confine the Swadeshi movement whereas the extremists wanted to spread it. The extremists wanted full independence from British rule. The moderates wanted some minor issues to be resolved but the extremists wanted a big change in the political scenario.
Which year did Surat Split take place?
The congress annual session took place in Surat in the year 1907. The Congress session on the bank of river Tapti, on 26th December 1907 was known as the Surat session.
Who was the president of the Congress during the Surat Split?
In 1907, the congress session was presided over by Ras Bihari Ghosh. He was a moderate. The Extremists leaders wanted Lala Lajpat Rai to become the President but the Moderates wanted Ghosh to become the President.
What was the effect of the Surat Split?
In the 1907 congress’ annual session, the Congress was divided into two groups according to their ideology. The two groups were called Moderates and Extremists. Although they worked under the name of Congress their working principles were different.
Who was the viceroy of India during the Surat Split of 1907?
Lord Minto was the viceroy of India in 1907. He was appointed to the post in 1905 and served until 1910.