ABSTRACT
A very basic aspect of the dynamics of the National Congress was the strategy it adopted in its struggle against colonial rule. A focus on the overall strategy of the Indian national movement has been lacking in almost all the existing studies of the movement. Though large elements of this strategy were evolved during the moderate and extremist phases of the movement, it was structured and came to fruition during the Gandhian phase of the movement and in Gandhi's political practice. Two more general remarks. The nationalist strategy was based on a particular understanding of the specific nature and character of British rule and the colonial state and its policies. The entire effectiveness and validity of the strategy and the strength of the movement based on it lay in the active participation of the masses. Many a contemporary Congress leader clearly understood the S-T-S aspect of the strategy and the relationship between the 'active' and 'passive' phases.
