With reference to the Surat Split of 1907, answer the following questions:

(a) What were the issues on which the two wings of the Congress had differences of opinion? How did the British exploit the differences between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists?

(b) What was the effect of the split between the two wings of the Congress on the National Movement?

(c) Why did the Assertive Nationalists adopt the policy of non-cooperation with the British Government? Name the assertive nationalist leader who organised akharas and lathi clubs. Why were these organised?

(a) The issues on which the two wings of the Congress had differences of opinion were-

1. The Assertive Nationalists wanted to extend the Swadeshi and boycott to the rest of India and make it a vehicle for a full-fledged political mass struggle leading to Swaraj. The Early Nationalists, however, did not approve it for the whole of India and wanted it to be confined to Bengal only.
2. There was also a disagreement over the candidature of the next President. The Assertive Nationalists proposed the name of Lala Lajpat Rai as President of the Surat Session. The Early Nationalists proposed the name of Rashbehari Ghosh. When the session at Surat began in December 1907 there was utter confusion.

The British exploited the differences between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists. The British adopted a policy of 'concession and repression' — concession for the Early Nationalists as well as the Muslims and repression to the Assertive Nationalists.

(b) The split in the Congress was unfortunate because it gave an opportunity to the British to exploit the situation to their advantage.

1. They adopted a policy of 'concession and repression' — concession for the Early Nationalists as well as the Muslims and repression to the Assertive Nationalists.
2. The Surat Split weakened the national movement.
3. The Early Nationalists, however, were largely able to capture the Congress organisation and in the Allahabad convention, held in April 1908, the split was formalised.

(c) The Assertive Nationalists adopted the policy of non-cooperation with the British Government due to the following reasons:

1. The main focus of the Assertive Nationalists was to get a larger share for Indians in the administration of their country and to end Britain's economic exploitation of India.
2. They believed that these objectives could not be realised without pressure tactics and some sort of direct action.
3. Hence, they adopted the policy of non-cooperation and resistance to unjust acts of the British government.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was the first nationalist leader who sought close contact with the masses. With this objective and to inculcate courage, self-defence and patriotism, he organised many akharas and lathi clubs where physical training was imparted.