Modern India — First World War and Nationalist Response
1. Nationalist Response to World War I
Context: The outbreak of World War I in 1914 evoked different responses from various sections of the Indian nationalist movement.
- Moderates — supported the British Empire as a duty.
- Extremists (Tilak) — supported the war, hoping for self-government as a reward for India's loyalty.
- Revolutionaries — saw an opportunity to wage war against British rule and aimed for immediate independence.
- The war drained India of troops, reducing white soldiers to a mere 15,000 at one point.
- Raised possibility of financial and military help from Germany and Turkey.
Key Response Patterns:
- Moderates: Loyalist approach, supporting the Empire.
- Extremists: Conditional support with expectations of self-government.
- Revolutionaries: Saw opportunity for armed resistance.
- The war created conditions that ultimately strengthened the demand for self-rule.
- Moderates: Loyalist approach, supporting the Empire.
- Extremists: Conditional support with expectations of self-government.
- Revolutionaries: Saw opportunity for armed resistance.
- The war created conditions that ultimately strengthened the demand for self-rule.
2. Home Rule Movement (1916)
Context: The Home Rule Movement emerged as a powerful expression of Indian nationalism, inspired by the Irish Home Rule League.
- Fueled by dissatisfaction with British rule and impact of World War I.
- Aimed for Self-government or home rule for India within the British Commonwealth.
- Inspired by the Irish Home Rule League.
- Approach: Public meetings, libraries, reading rooms, conferences, classes for students, propaganda through newspapers, pamphlets, posters, plays, religious songs, fundraising, social work, participation in local government.
- Prominent Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant. [UPSC 2013]
Tilak's Indian Home Rule League
- Establishment: April 1916.
- First Home Rule meeting at Belgaum.
- Headquarters: Poona.
- Coverage: Maharashtra (excluding Bombay city), Karnataka, Central Provinces, Berar — six branches.
- Demands: Swarajya (self-rule), formation of linguistic states, vernacular education.
Annie Besant's All-India Home Rule League
- Establishment: September 1916 in Madras.
- Coverage: Rest of India, including Bombay City — 200 branches.
- Key Figures: George Arundale (Organizing Secretary), B.W. Wadia, C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar.
Other Leaders Associated:
G.S. Khaparde, Joseph Baptista, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhulabhai Desai, Chittaranjan Das, K.M. Munshi, B. Chakravarti, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Sir S. Subramania Iyer (renounced his knighthood).
G.S. Khaparde, Joseph Baptista, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhulabhai Desai, Chittaranjan Das, K.M. Munshi, B. Chakravarti, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Sir S. Subramania Iyer (renounced his knighthood).
Knowledge Nugget
The Home Rule Movement marked a significant shift in Indian politics, bringing together various sections of society and creating a mass-based movement for self-government. It laid the foundation for the non-cooperation movement that followed.
The Home Rule Movement marked a significant shift in Indian politics, bringing together various sections of society and creating a mass-based movement for self-government. It laid the foundation for the non-cooperation movement that followed.
3. Lucknow Session of INC (1916)
Context: The Lucknow Session of 1916 was a landmark moment in Indian political history, marking the reunion of the Congress and the signing of the Lucknow Pact.
- President: Ambika Charan Majumdar (Moderate leader).
- Readmission of Extremists to Congress — key aspect.
- Lucknow Pact: Congress and Muslim League presented common demands to the government — significant unity between the two major political parties.
Reasons for Change in League's Attitude
- British Actions: Refusal to aid Turkey in war, annulment of Bengal partition (1911), refusal to establish a university at Aligarh with nationwide affiliations.
- Shift in League's Political Outlook: Younger League members leaning towards bolder nationalist politics; Calcutta session of Muslim League (1912) committed to working for self-government similar to Congress's goals.
Significance of Lucknow Session:
- Reunited the Congress after the Surat Split (1907).
- Marked Hindu-Muslim unity through the Lucknow Pact.
- Presented common demands to the British government.
- Strengthened the nationalist movement.
- Reunited the Congress after the Surat Split (1907).
- Marked Hindu-Muslim unity through the Lucknow Pact.
- Presented common demands to the British government.
- Strengthened the nationalist movement.
4. Summary: Home Rule Leagues & Lucknow Session
| Event/Organization | Year | Leader | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilak's Home Rule League | April 1916 | Bal Gangadhar Tilak | Headquarters: Poona; Demands: Swarajya, linguistic states |
| Annie Besant's Home Rule League | September 1916 | Annie Besant | Headquarters: Madras; 200 branches |
| Lucknow Session (INC) | 1916 | Ambika Charan Majumdar | Readmission of Extremists; Lucknow Pact |
| Lucknow Pact | 1916 | Congress & Muslim League | Common demands; Hindu-Muslim unity |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Home Rule Movement (1916) — Led by Tilak and Annie Besant.
- Tilak's League (April 1916) — Headquarters at Poona.
- Annie Besant's League (September 1916) — Headquarters at Madras.
- Lucknow Session (1916) — Reunion of Moderates and Extremists.
- Lucknow Pact — Hindu-Muslim unity, common demands.
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 9 Focus)
Q1. The Home Rule Movement in India was inspired by the:
Correct Answer: A. The Home Rule Movement was inspired by the Irish Home Rule League, seeking autonomy similar to that demanded for Ireland.
Q2. Tilak's Indian Home Rule League was established in which year?
Correct Answer: C. Tilak's Indian Home Rule League was established in April 1916. Its first meeting was held at Belgaum, with headquarters at Poona.
Q3. Annie Besant's All-India Home Rule League was established in which city?
Correct Answer: C. Annie Besant's All-India Home Rule League was established in September 1916 in Madras (now Chennai).
Q4. The Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress was held in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Lucknow Session of the INC was held in 1916. Ambika Charan Majumdar was the President.
Q5. Who presided over the Lucknow Session of the INC in 1916?
Correct Answer: A. Ambika Charan Majumdar, a Moderate leader, presided over the Lucknow Session of the INC in 1916.
Q6. The Lucknow Pact was signed between the Indian National Congress and:
Correct Answer: A. The Lucknow Pact (1916) was signed between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, presenting common demands to the government.
Q7. The Lucknow Session marked the readmission of which group into the Congress?
Correct Answer: A. The Lucknow Session (1916) marked the readmission of Extremists into the Congress, reuniting the party after the Surat Split.
Q8. Which of the following was a demand of Tilak's Home Rule League?
Correct Answer: D. Tilak's Home Rule League demanded Swarajya (self-rule), formation of linguistic states, and vernacular education.
Q9. Who was the Organizing Secretary of Annie Besant's Home Rule League?
Correct Answer: A. George Arundale was the Organizing Secretary of Annie Besant's All-India Home Rule League.
Q10. The Muslim League committed to working for self-government at its session in which year?
Correct Answer: B. The Muslim League's Calcutta session in 1912 committed to working for self-government, similar to Congress's goals.