The Indian National Congress split for the first time in its session at Surat. The session at Surat in 1907 was marked by a deep divide within the Congress party, primarily between two factions - the moderates and the extremists. The moderates, led by leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, advocated for a gradual approach towards achieving independence from British rule through dialogue and constitutional means. On the other hand, the extremists, led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, believed in a more aggressive and radical approach, including the use of mass movements and boycotts. The split at Surat exposed the ideological differences between the two factions and led to a temporary division in the Congress. This split was a significant event in the history of the Indian independence movement.