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6. Taxes in general and land revenue in will to be imposed on the people through the
particular to cut down. media of the Congress. Having realised this the
7. To bring about a change in the economic Congress gradually adopted a more critical
policies so as to free the farmers from the attitude towards the British colonial state.
clutches of moneylenders and to open up The British government in turn changed its
agricultural banks and other facilities. attitude towards the Congress and condemned it
7. To remove corruption among the police by openly and held that it did not represent the
introducing reforms. masses of India and was not a national organisa-
tion. British officials were not allowed to associ-
8. To give more powers and to increase the
ate with the Congress. Since the Congress used
number of members in the legislative
the press to spread national and political con-
councils.
sciousness among the people the national
9. To hold civil services examinations in India
newspapers were censored. The English started
henceforth, with increasing the age for
to follow a policy of divide and rule to create a
taking the examinations so that Indians get
wedge between the different communities. they
a better chance of clearing them.
tried to wean away muslims from the congress.
METHODS
And while the Congress prepared to play a
Methods used by the moderates were constitu- greater role in the freedom struggle, the govern-
tional and peaceful. The methods used by them ment wanted to see the failure of the Congress.
to get their aims achieved were the press, plat-
CONTRIBUTION OF THE MODERATES
form, persuasion, petitions, prayers, etc. They
The moderates are often criticised on the
regarded British rule as benevolent and saw it as
grounds that this phase did not achieve anything
a blessing in disguise for the Indians. Their policy
substantial and that they were unable to induce
was one of mendicancy, prayer and petition.
the British government to do anything concrete
The moderates did not wish to antagonise the to remove the grievances of the people.
British government believing that their just However, the moderates should be credited with
democracy would not harm Indian interests. certain successes.
They also believed that in due course of time
1. They provided a platform for the Indians to
Indians would get the same rights as enjoyed by
express themselves.
the British and India would be on its way to
2. They helped to formulate and organise
freedom.
public opinion.
BRITISH ATTITUDE TOWARDS
3. They encouraged the feeling of patriotism,
THE CONGRESS
self-reliance and nationalism.
In the beginning, the British were favourable to
4. They were able to unite the people and
the Congress and showed a sympathetic attitude
create a bond among them.
by even attending its sessions. The then
5. They created political consciousness and
Governor-General Lord Dufferin encouraged the
educated the people politically.
Indian National Congress hoping that they would
keep the government informed about the views 6. They provided a prelude to a more radical
of the Indian people on British policies. national movement.
But soon, it dawned on the members of the 7. Due to their efforts the Indian Council Act of
Congress that the government only wanted its 1892 was passed by which indirect elections
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