After the moderates' perceived failure, the extremists continued thei...
Differences Between Moderates and Extremists: Moderates
1. Social base—zamindars and upper-middle classes in towns.
2. Ideological inspiration—western liberal thought and European history.
3. Believed in England’s providential mission in India.
4. Believed political connections with Britain to be in India’s social, political and cultural interests.
5. Professed loyalty to the British Crown.
6. Believed that the movement should be limited to middle-class intelligentsia; masses not yet ready for participation in political work.
7. Demanded constitutional reforms and share for Indians in services.
8. Insisted on the use of constitutional methods only.
9. They were patriots and did not play the role of a comprador class.
Extremists
1. Social base educated middle classes in towns and lower middle class.
2. Ideological inspiration—Indian history, cultural heritage and Hindu traditional symbols.
3. Rejected ‘providential mission theory’ as an illusion.
4. Believed that political connections with Britain would perpetuate British exploitation of India. 5. Believed that the British Crown was unworthy of claiming Indian loyalty.
6. Had immense faith in the capacity of masses to participate and to make sacrifices.
7. Demanded swaraj as a panacea for Indian ills.
8. Did not hesitate to use extra-constitutional methods like boycott and passive resistance to achieve their objectives.
9. They were patriots who made sacrifices for the sake of the country.