The assertive nationalists had a mind to do something strong to remove the British Raj from India whereas the nationalists used to believe in prayer and petition. After the partition of the country, the assertive nationalists understood very well that no prayer or petition can bring them freedom.

Britishers created a rift between early and assertive nationalists by employing various strategies to weaken the unity and effectiveness of the nationalist movement. These strategies aimed to divide nationalists based on factors such as ideology, region, and religion.

1. Divide and Rule Policy:
The Britishers followed a policy of "divide and rule," exploiting existing differences among Indians. They encouraged communalism and exploited religious differences between Hindus and Muslims to create rifts within the nationalist movement.

2. Different Approaches:
The early nationalists, also known as the moderates, advocated for constitutional methods and dialogue with the British government to achieve their aims. On the other hand, the assertive nationalists, or extremists, believed in a more aggressive approach, including boycotts, strikes, and protests. The Britishers used these differences in approaches to create divisions within the nationalist movement.

3. Legislative Reforms:
The Britishers introduced government reforms like the Indian Councils Act of 1909 and the Government of India Act of 1919. These reforms aimed to provide limited representation to Indians in the legislative bodies. By doing so, the Britishers attempted to create a divide between the moderates and extremists by co-opting the moderates into the legislative bodies and marginalizing the extremists.

4. Repressive Measures:
The Britishers used repressive measures to suppress nationalist movements. They arrested and imprisoned leaders of the nationalist movement, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai, and introduced repressive laws like the Rowlatt Act. These measures not only weakened the movement but also created divisions within it, as some leaders advocated for more aggressive actions while others favored a more cautious approach.

5. Regional and Linguistic Divisions:
The Britishers exploited regional and linguistic differences among Indians to create divisions within the nationalist movement. They encouraged regional movements and supported leaders who advocated for separate states or linguistic provinces. This fragmentation weakened the unity of the nationalist movement as it divided Indians along regional lines.

Overall, the Britishers successfully created a rift between early and assertive nationalists by exploiting existing differences and employing various strategies to weaken the unity and effectiveness of the nationalist movement.