Surat Split of 1907: Background, Major Causes, Result, Impact & UPSC Notes

Surat Split 1907 must be considered a historical milestone in India's freedom movement. In the session of the Indian National Congress in Surat in 1907, widespread disagreements emerged between two broad groups, viz. the Moderates and the Extremists. This division created the new course of the nationalist movement and produced an indelible influence on the Indian anti-colonial campaign against British rule. The meeting revealed an increasing ideological and strategic divergence between leaders of the Congress, thus creating a rift that weakened the cohesiveness of the nationalist front and paved the way to more incisive action in future years. The Aspects of Understanding the Surat Split 1907 help to gain essential findings about the development of the Independence movement in India.

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This topic of the Surat Split of Congress is essential from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary), particularly in the History section of the UPSC Exam. 

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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 enrol and prepare for History topics through Testbook's flagship UPSC History Optional Coaching Program.

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सूरत विभाजन (1907) हिंदी में भी पढ़ें !

What Was Surat Split of 1907?

The Surat Split of 1907 was a major division within the Indian National Congress at its 1907 session in Surat. The split occurred between two groups: the Moderates, who favoured gradual reforms and dialogue with the British, and the Extremists, who demanded immediate and direct action against British rule. This division weakened the Congress and delayed the nationalist movement, marking a significant moment in India's freedom struggle.

Background to the Surat Split 1907

The Indian National Congress (INC) started coalescing Indian nationalism in the late nineteenth century. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the Moderates dominated the Congress- the leaders who advocated constitutional changes and maintained talks with the British administration. Their attitudes are inclined to small-scale, step-by-step change and a struggle to draw concessions using petitions and bargaining.

By the turn of the century, however, frustrations grew among a younger group, the Extremists. These figures were frustrated not only by the slow pace at which the reform got done, but also because of the intransigent attitude of the British government. Phenomena like the Partition of Bengal (1905) stimulated nationalist feelings and brought campaigners like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai to the limelight.

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 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 1907

Several contributing factors that intertwined to bring the Surat Split of 1907 were ideological division, antagonism between leadership, and the British playing domination games among the natives in the political bloc.

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 spelled out.
• In 1906, Morley and Minto discussed 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. The INC experienced a split with 1600 delegates. The incident is referred to as the "Surat Split."

Ideology

The Moderates were inclined toward constitutional reformism and a governance model based on negotiation and reform through gradual change and cooperation with the imperial administration.

In what amounted to a strategy of immediate confrontation with British rule, the Extremists instead endorsed direct action tactics typified by boycotts, demonstrations and the Swadeshi movement.

Leadership Politics

In 1907, when the Congress met in Surat, tensions rose high due to the election of the Congress president. The Moderates and the Extremists supported Rash Behari Ghosh and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, respectively, who forcefully opposed Ghosh. At the time of the election of Ghosh, extremist opposition staged the walkout, and the session ended dramatically with open divisions between the wings and an anarchic ending. As a result, Congress split into two factions, the Moderate and the Extremist groups.

British policy of Divide and Rule

This internal division of the Congress, employed by the British state by supporting the Moderates and pushing aside the Extremists' agenda, created a temporary shadow over the Extremist faction in the organisation.

Surat Session in 1907

It was at the high-tension Surat session. Even at the very beginning, Extremist representatives publicly criticised the Moderates, and talks quickly turned into ongoing open aggression. Hand-to-hand fights started between the supporters of the two factions, and the session ended in chaos: the Congress formally divided into a Moderate and an Extremist group. Though the Moderates continued to have a say regarding organisation, they had lost the popular base, with the Extremists, ostracised by the Congress organisation, enjoying widespread appreciation of their bold stand and daring programme.

Also, read about the Moderate Phase of the Indian National Movement [Ncert Notes] here!

The Result of the Surat Split

After the Surat Split of 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 developed a new strategy, 'Divide and Rule'. For example, the 1909 reform was made to confuse the moderates and appease the Muslims.
• Without the Extremists, the moderates were left with no popular base and lost the respect and support of their people.

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 the 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) divided the party 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 signalled a shift in the government's attitude 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 Extremists' return and the Moderates' departure. But by this point, everything had changed significantly. Later, as a political newcomer, 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 ideology.
• The British government saw this opportunity and started repressive measures against the nationalist leaders. As mentioned above, the 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!

Moderates vs. Extremists: A Brief Comparison

The primary difference between the moderates and the extremists lies in the attitude, in the ideology, in the modes of the political or social life:

Moderates reckon reforms ought to be accommodated gradually or through constitutional non-violent means. They tend to act within the systems and have faith in dialogue, petitions, and persuasion to attainange. The moderates believe rulers or people with power can be influenced to move to more desirable situations or with rights. They prefer dealing and teamwork as opposed to fighting.

In contrast, extremists promote speedy and drastic change and do not always believe in peaceful or constitutional change if it does not work. They believe in direct action like strikes, boycotts, protests or confrontation. Extremists are also more pushy and militant, and would only receive changes in the system by opposing it through coercion or revolution.

Such a difference can be well seen in the historical scenario, that of the Indian National Congress earlier in the 20th century:

Moderates regarded British colonial masters as just and reformable, wanting to get rights through working in the system. The British were viewed by the extremists as oppressive and unfriendly to Indian welfare, hence insisting on attaining independence immediately and mobilising the masses. 

Outside the Indian context, extremism usually refers to political or ideological viewpoints far out of the mainstream, and often including radical actions or views that do not brook compromise. In contrast, moderation has the sense of a centrist or balanced position that seeks change through orderly processes and toleration. 

So the main point of difference is that moderates are defined as aiming at changes coming in with small steps, through dialogue and legal actions; whereas, the extremists are interested in immediate changes, most of the time being immediate in their vision, and with radical steps.

Surat Split and the Lucknow Session 1916

The Moderates and the Extremists reunited at the Lucknow session in 1916. Ambika Charan Majumdar presided over the session. After the Surat Split in 1907, the Moderates started losing their popularity and base among their people. The extremists helped the people fight for their freedom differently. 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 (an extremist), also helped the extremists 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!

Lessons from the Surat Split 1907

The lessons of the Surat Split 1907 are essential for understanding India's political evolution:

• Unity is crucial: The split weakened the nationalist movement. A united Congress was more effective against colonial rule.
• Diversity in methods: Both negotiation and direct action played roles in the freedom struggle. Neither could succeed alone.
• British strategy: To maintain dominance, the British exploited internal divisions using divide-and-rule tactics to maintain radical nationalism. The split marked the rise of militant nationalism, which grew stronger in future decades.

Conclusion

Surat split in 1907 marked a critical point in India's freedom struggle. It showed the strong ideological division between the Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress. Besides the temporary disruption and undermining of the nationalist movement, it also resulted in a path to a better, more established and numerically diversified fight against British rule. The division demonstrated that the struggle to free India required slow but sure diplomacy and radical mass action. Surat Split 1907 helps us to appreciate how India struggled to achieve its freedom and how division and diverse approaches are respected in political gains.

The historical remembrance of Surat Split 1907 is as critical to students and scholars as it is to those aspiring for exams like UPSC; it gives a profound insight into the politics of early 20th-century Indian polities and even helps us make sense of significant events. Read the Formation of the Indian National Congress here!

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