Question

Who among the following was a moderate leader?

• A. Pherozeshah Mehta
• B. Subhas Chandra Bose
• C. Lala Lajpat Rai
• D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Hint:

Other prominent Moderate leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine who among the given options was a moderate leader, it is essential to understand the historical context of Indian politics during the British Raj and the Indian National Congress's role in the freedom struggle.

The Indian National Congress, formed in 1885, witnessed two prominent factions during its early years: the Moderates and the Extremists. These groups had differing approaches towards achieving self-rule:

• Moderates: Advocated for gradual reforms and relied on constitutional methods like petitions, prayers, and negotiations. They believed in loyalty to the British Crown and sought self-governance through peaceful means.
• Extremists: Argued for immediate self-rule (Swaraj) and were willing to use more aggressive means to achieve their goals. They were not hesitant to criticize the British openly.

Now, let's analyze the given options in light of this understanding:

1. Pherozeshah Mehta: He was a prominent moderate leader known for his advocacy for constitutional reforms and working within the legal framework. He played a significant role in the early years of the Indian National Congress and consistently supported the approach of seeking reforms through dialogue and discussion with the British authorities.
2. Subhas Chandra Bose: Although not part of the Congress during its inception, he later became an extremist leader known for his role in India's independence movement, particularly as the leader of the Indian National Army (INA), advocating for armed struggle against British rule.
3. Lala Lajpat Rai: A part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, he was associated with the extremist faction, advocating for more direct action against British rule.
4. Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Another member of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio and a prominent extremist leader who advocated for Swaraj (self-rule) and was known for his slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it."

Based on the above analysis, the correct answer is:

Pherozeshah Mehta was a moderate leader who supported constitutional reforms and was committed to achieving self-governance through peaceful and legal methods.