Which one of the following defines extremist ideology during the early phase of Indian freedom movement ?

The Extremist trend in the early freedom movement rejected the Moderates’ “mendicant policy” of appeals, petitions and prayers and argued for more assertive, direct action to secure self-government rather than relying solely on constitutional methods [1]. Leaders like Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai openly advocated radical approaches and proclaimed Swaraj as their objective, signalling a shift to aggressive political agitation for self-rule [2]. The Extremists also coupled this political assertiveness with methods such as boycott, swadeshi and national education to mobilise mass support—showing that their defining feature was pursuit of self-government by active, confrontational means rather than petitions [3].

Sources

1. [1] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Rise of Extremism and Swadeshi Movement > Introduction > p. 16
2. [2] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Rise of Nationalism in India > d) Contributions of Early Nationalists (1885–1915) > p. 11
3. [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Swadeshi and Boycott Movement > p. 280