- dominated INM until 1905 and INC until 1920
Ideology
- Liberals
- utilitarians (like bureaucrats, civil servants)
- constitutionalism
- ideal democracy w/ rule of law
- values in preamble + basic structure
- providence (goodness) of Brit Rule
- i.e. if pressurized, Brits can modernize India
- Secular, national unity
- pro industrial capitalism
- Goal = limited/partial self governance
- use constitutional methods and not mass protests or violence
- eg. use of grievance redressal mechanisms provided by state institutions
- participating in elections
Demands
State
- expand ILC, PLC, empower them
- ≥ 50% indirectly elected members
- indianization of civil services, military
- abolish India Council 1858 (which was introduced in Government of India Act 1858)
- for easier lobbying 🕵️♀️
- implement Permanent Settlement System 1793 across all of British India
- LR fixed forever
- partly selfish on part of Moderates, as they came from landed backgrounds
Economy
- decreased LR
- End salt tax
- decrease and share military expenditure
Other rights
- volunteer army
- trial by jury
- repeal Arms Act 1878
- was introduced by Lytton
- eventually amended by Ripon to enforce everyone to have licence
- rights of workers of Assam Tea Plantations
Result = None met 🤡
refer: Proof of Failure of Moderates