The period from 1906 to 1918 is known as the period of extremist politics in the Indian national movement. This period was characterized by the aggressive attitude of the leaders, the agitation methods of protest and the growing political consciousness among the people. The extremists were led by the leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak of Maharashtra, Lala Lajpat Rai of Punjab and Bipin Chandra Pal of Bengal.
These three leaders, popularly known as ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’, had tremendous influence in Punjab, Maharashtra and Bengal respectively. They hated foreign rule and they firmly proclaimed that Swaraj or complete Independence was their only goal.
Causes of the Rise of Extremists
The moderates had followed the policy of co-operation and reconciliation and presented their demands to the British authority through petition, prayer and deputation. However, their expectations were not fulfilled. They were disillusioned by the British Government and failed to get their minimum demands fulfilled even after more than twenty years of peaceful agitation. So, they rapidly lost their influence in the organization.
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The young people mostly coming from the middle class families began to lose their faith in the methods of the moderates. On the other hand they wanted to get their demands fulfilled by force and pressure. This kind of attitude ultimately led to the rise of the extremism in the Indian politics.
Economic discontent was a powerful factor which led to the growth of the militant nationalism. Towards the end of the 19th century economic condition of the people became miserable due to unemployment and repressive financial measures of the Government. Lakhs of the people were affected by the terrible famine of 1896-97 and 1899-1900 coupled with bubonic plague which broke out in Maharastra.
The Government machinery in providing relief to the poor and needy was very slow, repressive measures to suppress lawlessness. The British Government spent money lavishly in celebrating the Silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne at a time when people died of starvation and disease. This kind of apathetic attitude of the Government provoked of the people to rise in revolt more militantly.
The educated Indians joined the extremists because they were not happy with the British administration. They fell victim to the discrimination of the British authority in the matter of the employement. Many educated Indians remained unemployed.
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They were always put in the junior posts although they were adequately qualified to hold high posts. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy, openly degraded the character of Indian people at the Calcutta University Convocation. It shocked and infuriated the educated youth.
Twentieth century was the phase of revolution all over the world, where the oppressed people overthrew their masters. Indians in British colonies, especially in South Africa, became anti-British because of the ill treatment meted out to them there Indian nationalists gained confidence when Japan made tremendous economic progress after winning victory over Russia in 1905. Nationalist movements in Ireland, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and China aroused hopes among the Indians to drive the British out of their country by force. Thus, they became gradually millitantr against the British.
Finally the repressive administrative measure of Lord Curzon was no less responsible for the growth of millitant nationalism. His reactionary laws such as Official Secrets Act, Calcutta Cooperation Act and Indian Universities Act created a good deal of opposition through out the country.
Lord Curzon’s most unpopular administrative measure was the partition of Bengal into two provinces with an intention to create a rift between the Hindus and the Muslims. It was the last straw on the Camel’s back.
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The whole country, especially Bengal witnessed an outburst of public indignation. The Bengali felt them insulted, wounded and deceived. The day of partition, that is 16th October1905 was observed through out the country as the day of mourning.