Who were the Moderates, and what were their main demands?

The Moderates were early Indian National Congress leaders (1885–1905) who believed in achieving self-governance through peaceful, constitutional means within British law.

Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta, Surendranath Banerjee.

Main demands:

• Indianization of the civil services (ICS)
• Expansion of Legislative Councils
• Reduction of military expenditure
• Freedom of press and speech
• Separation of judiciary and executive
• Economic critique Naoroji's "Drain of Wealth" theory

Later, the Extremists under Bal Gangadhar Tilak challenged this passive approach.

Summary: The Moderates were early Congress leaders who sought constitutional reforms through peaceful dialogue, focusing on Indian representation, civil rights, and economic justice.