Impact of the extremists in the early phase of Indian National Movement :

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  • An important development took place in the Congress in the early phase of Indian National Movement. It was rise of extremism.
  • It brought about a new awakening in the masses.
  • The nationalist movement under the influence of the new trend i.e. extremism, gave up the practice of issuing appeals to the Government and adopted new radical ways of political agitation.
  • The group, which led the extremists in the Congress, consisted of Bal Gangadhar Tilak,. Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai.
  • They extolled the past of India in order to inculcate self-confidence and national pride in the Indian people.
  • National feelings were aroused through different ways. Ganpati and Shivaji festivals were revised. People were exhorted to action as it was the tine message of the Bhagwat Gita.
  • In Bengal, the cult of the goddess Kali was adopted.
  • The extremists1 condemned the old leadership of the Congress for their praise of western culture and their faith in the British Government.
  • The extremist leaders drew masses into the struggle, particularly in urban areas. The mobi­lization of the people, particularly the youth, for the struggle, was a major contribution of the extremists in the Indian National Movement which in its own way shook the foundations of British Empire.