The conflict between two sections of the Congress came to the surface in its Session in 1906 at Calcutta. In this context, explain the following:
The Split in the Congress
Topic: The Surat Split
Answer
The Congress split at the SURAT SESSION OF 1907 into two groups — the Early Nationalists (Moderates) and the Assertive Nationalists (Extremists).
The causes: (1) They differed over METHODS. The Moderates believed in petitions, prayers and constitutional agitation, while the Assertive Nationalists demanded Swadeshi, boycott and passive resistance. (2) They differed over AIMS. The Moderates wanted self-government within the British Empire; the Assertive Nationalists wanted complete Swaraj. (3) The immediate quarrel was over the PRESIDENTSHIP and over extending the Swadeshi and boycott movements beyond Bengal to the whole country, which the Moderates opposed. Rashbehari Ghosh was elected President against the wishes of the Extremists, the session broke up in disorder, and the Assertive Nationalists were expelled.
The result was a weakened Congress that the British were quick to exploit; the two groups were reunited only at the Lucknow session of 1916.
Three marks: name the split with its year and place, give the causes, and state the result. Note the date carefully — the question mentions the CALCUTTA session of 1906, where the conflict first surfaced, but the actual SPLIT occurred at SURAT in 1907. Getting that sequence right is part of the answer. The reunion at Lucknow in 1916 completes the story and links to the Lucknow Pact of the same session.