Elitism,Factionalism and Separatism

Abstract

The article deals with the diverse facets of politics in the United Provinces between 1885 and 1920, from the birth of the Indian National Congress to the commencement of the Non-cooperation Movement. Till the tumult in 1920, the public life in the Provinces was unmistakably elitist in character, and monopolized by the representatives of such dominant social categories as the official and educated middle classes, the landed magnates and landlords and the traders and bankers. Religion and language separated the UP elites into Hindus and Muslims, who carried on their factional fights over educational facilities, Government jobs and professional engagements. However, the spirit of reciprocal accommodation survived among the common people and influenced the behaviour of the Congress and the ‘new’ in the Muslim League (1906) leading to compromises over several issues faced during this phase of independence struggle. Dramatically in 1920, Gandhiji in the Congress could mobilise the Indian masses so as to sweep away elitism, factionalism and separatism from India and the Provinces.