UPSC Prelims 2003 Q137: Modern History – Moderate Constitutional Politics & Montagu - Chelmsford Reforms (1909 - 1920)
When Congress leaders condemned the Montagu - Chelmsford Report, many moderates left
party to form the
- (a) Swarajya Party
- (b) Indian Freedom Party
- (c) Independence Federation of India
- (d) Indian Liberal Federation
Answer: (d) Indian Liberal Federation
Explanation
Moderates and the Montagu-Chelmsford Report
| Party | Link |
|---|---|
| Indian Liberal Federation | Yes — formed in 1919 by the Moderates under Surendranath Banerjea |
| Swarajya Party | 1923, by C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru |
| Indian Freedom Party | Not a historical body |
| Independence Federation of India | 1928, a radical body |
When the Congress condemned the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, the Moderates left and formed the Indian Liberal Federation in 1919.
Answer: (d) Indian Liberal Federation.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Swarajya Party was formed in 1923 by C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru.
- (b) Incorrect. There was no Indian Freedom Party of that time.
- (c) Incorrect. The Independence for India League was formed in 1928.
- (d) CORRECT. The Moderates formed the Indian Liberal Federation in 1919.
Key point
Liberals: Surendranath Banerjea, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Srinivasa Sastri.
Remember
The Moderates formed the Indian Liberal Federation in 1919.
Common mistakes
- Mixing it with the Swarajya Party of 1923.
- Thinking the Moderates remained in the Congress.
- Forgetting 1919's Special Session at Bombay.
Exam tip
1918 Bombay Special Session: Moderates left after the Montagu-Chelmsford report debate.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence
- Sumit Sarkar — Modern India, 1885–1947 (Macmillan)