Modern History Playlist
19 chapters • 0 completed
1
Advent of Europeans in India
9 topics
2
Decline of the Mughal Empire
7 topics
3
Emergence of Regional States
11 topics
4
Expansion and Consolidation of British Power
19 topics
5
British Government & Economic Policies (1757–1857)
4 topics
6
Social Reform Movements
20 topics
7
People’s Resistance before 1857
3 topics
8
The revolt of 1857
6 topics
9
Growth of Nationalism and Moderate Phase of Congress
6 topics
10
British Administration in India
7 topics
11
Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909)
5 topics
12
First Phase of Revolutionary Activities(1907-1917)
8 topics
13
India’s Response to First World War and Home Rule Movement
4 topics
14
Emergence of Gandhi
6 topics
15
Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement
7 topics
16
Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities
5 topics
17
Struggle For Swaraj: 1928-1935
13 topics
18
Period from 1935-42
9 topics
19
Period from 1942-47
22 topics
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Chapter 13: India’s Response to First World War and Home Rule Movement
Chapter Test4 topics•Estimated reading: 12 minutes
India’s Response to First World War and Home Rule Movement (Background)
Key Point
The outbreak of the First World War (1914) brought India into the conflict as a colony of Britain. While Indian leaders initially supported the war effort expecting political concessions, economic hardship, repression, and disappointment over reforms soon fueled discontent. This disillusionment set the stage for the Home Rule Movement (1916) led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant.
The outbreak of the First World War (1914) brought India into the conflict as a colony of Britain. While Indian leaders initially supported the war effort expecting political concessions, economic hardship, repression, and disappointment over reforms soon fueled discontent. This disillusionment set the stage for the Home Rule Movement (1916) led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant.
Detailed Notes (8 points)
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India in World War I: Over 13 lakh Indian soldiers fought overseas (France, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Africa). Around 74,000 Indians died.
Initial Support: Moderates and Congress leaders supported Britain, hoping loyalty would be rewarded with self-government.
Economic Impact: Heavy war expenditure led to increased taxes, rise in prices, food shortages, and famines. Common people bore the brunt.
Repression: Wartime measures like the Defence of India Act (1915) curtailed civil liberties, press freedom, and allowed preventive detention.
Revolutionary Activity: Ghadar Party (abroad) and revolutionary groups in India attempted to exploit wartime conditions for revolt (Indo-German Conspiracy, 1915–17).
Political Frustration: Despite India’s sacrifices, Britain’s post-war reforms (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) fell short of expectations.
Rise of Home Rule Demand: Inspired by Ireland’s Home Rule agitation, Indian leaders like Tilak and Annie Besant launched the Home Rule Movement (1916) demanding self-government within the British Empire.
Role of Extremists and Moderates: The Home Rule Movement created a platform where moderates, extremists, and even some revolutionaries could come together against colonial rule.
India’s Role in First World War
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Military Contribution | 13 lakh Indian soldiers fought; 74,000 killed |
| Economic Burden | Taxes increased, inflation, food shortages |
| Political Response | Congress supported war expecting reforms |
| Repressive Laws | Defence of India Act (1915) curtailed freedoms |
| Revolutionary Response | Ghadar Party and Indo-German Conspiracy attempted revolt |
Fun Facts
Indian soldiers fought in Europe wearing turbans, which surprised many Europeans who had never seen Sikhs before.
Annie Besant, originally an Irishwoman, connected Irish and Indian struggles for Home Rule.
Tilak returned to politics in 1916 after his imprisonment (1908–14) and became a central figure in Home Rule agitation.
Mains Key Points
India’s enthusiastic participation in WWI initially reflected loyalty but later exposed colonial exploitation.
Economic hardships and repressive laws created mass discontent, weakening faith in British promises.
The disappointment after WWI reforms became a trigger for the rise of Home Rule Movement.
The Home Rule Movement bridged moderates and extremists, creating new unity in the nationalist struggle.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Defence of India Act → 1915 (wartime repressive law).
Over 13 lakh Indians fought in WWI; 74,000 killed.
Home Rule Movement launched in 1916 by Tilak and Annie Besant.
Inspired by Irish Home Rule agitation.
Home Rule Movement (1916–1918)
Key Point
The Home Rule Movement, launched separately by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant in 1916, demanded self-government for India within the British Empire. Inspired by Irish Home Rule, it marked a revival of nationalist politics after the decline of Swadeshi Movement and created unity between moderates and extremists.
The Home Rule Movement, launched separately by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant in 1916, demanded self-government for India within the British Empire. Inspired by Irish Home Rule, it marked a revival of nationalist politics after the decline of Swadeshi Movement and created unity between moderates and extremists.
Detailed Notes (11 points)
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Launch: Tilak started the Home Rule League in April 1916 at Poona. Annie Besant launched her league in September 1916, headquartered at Adyar (Madras).
Objective: Self-government for India within the British Empire; increase political participation of Indians.
Inspirations: The Irish Home Rule Movement was the direct model.
Membership: Both leagues attracted students, lawyers, journalists, and professionals; membership spread across provinces.
Methods: Public meetings, pamphlets, newspapers, tours, lectures, and campaigns for political awareness. Mobilised Indian language press.
Tilak’s League: Active in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Central Provinces, and Berar. Focused on popular mobilisation and linking with peasants.
Besant’s League: Covered the rest of India, particularly Madras, Bombay, and United Provinces. Organised meetings, petitions, and propaganda.
Congress-League Pact (Lucknow Pact, 1916): The rise of Home Rule coincided with Hindu-Muslim unity through Congress-League Pact, boosting the movement’s significance.
British Response: Initially repressive; Annie Besant was interned in June 1917. Tilak faced restrictions. Repression, however, gave the movement more popularity.
Montagu’s Declaration (August 1917): Promising 'gradual development of self-governing institutions' was seen as a response to Home Rule pressure.
Decline: By 1918, movement weakened due to Besant’s moderate stance, return of moderates to Congress, and emergence of Gandhi’s mass Satyagraha (post-1919).
Comparison of Tilak’s and Besant’s Home Rule Leagues
| Aspect | Tilak’s League | Besant’s League |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | April 1916 (Poona) | September 1916 (Adyar, Madras) |
| Regions | Maharashtra, Karnataka, CP & Berar | Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, rest of India |
| Focus | Mass mobilisation, peasants, popular appeal | Educated classes, petitions, propaganda |
| Method | Tours, meetings, vernacular press | Pamphlets, petitions, journals |
| Leadership Style | Assertive, linked with extremists | Moderate, linked with Congress liberals |
Fun Facts
Tilak popularised the slogan: 'Home Rule is my birthright and I shall have it'.
Besant used Theosophical networks to spread the movement’s message across India.
The Lucknow Session (1916) of Congress witnessed unity between moderates, extremists, and Muslim League for the first time since Surat Split.
Mains Key Points
The Home Rule Movement revived nationalist activity after Swadeshi decline.
Created unity between moderates and extremists, and also fostered Hindu-Muslim cooperation (Lucknow Pact).
Spread political education to new social groups including students, women, and middle classes.
Pressured British to announce Montagu’s Declaration (1917).
Although short-lived, it prepared ground for Gandhi’s mass movements from 1919 onwards.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Home Rule Movement launched 1916 by Tilak (Poona) and Annie Besant (Madras).
Inspired by Irish Home Rule Movement.
Annie Besant was interned in June 1917; release increased popularity.
Montagu’s Declaration (1917) → response to Home Rule agitation.
Lucknow Pact (1916)
Key Point
The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was a historic agreement between the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League, facilitated during the rise of the Home Rule Movement. It marked Hindu-Muslim unity and presented joint constitutional demands to the British, strengthening India’s nationalist struggle.
The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was a historic agreement between the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League, facilitated during the rise of the Home Rule Movement. It marked Hindu-Muslim unity and presented joint constitutional demands to the British, strengthening India’s nationalist struggle.
Detailed Notes (9 points)
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Background: The political climate during World War I and the rise of the Home Rule Movement created opportunities for unity.
Congress Session at Lucknow (December 1916): Extremists (Tilak group) and Moderates (Gokhale’s followers) reunited after the Surat Split of 1907.
Muslim League Session at Lucknow (1916): For the first time, the Muslim League held its session at the same place and time as the Congress.
Agreement: Both parties agreed on a common set of constitutional reforms to demand from the British government.
Joint Demands: Expansion of legislative councils, greater Indian participation, protection of minorities, and self-government.
Separate Electorates: Congress accepted separate electorates for Muslims (first time), ensuring Muslim League’s support.
Role of Leaders: Tilak, Annie Besant, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and others played key roles in facilitating the pact.
Impact: Created Hindu-Muslim unity at the national level, increased pressure on British government, and strengthened nationalist momentum.
Limitations: While it united communities temporarily, the acceptance of separate electorates laid foundations for communal politics later.
Key Provisions of the Lucknow Pact
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Expansion of Councils | Legislative councils to be larger with elected majority |
| Separate Electorates | Muslims to elect their own representatives |
| Minority Rights | Assurance of minority representation in legislatures |
| Self-Government | Demand for eventual dominion status/self-rule |
| Unity | Hindu-Muslim cooperation in political demands |
Fun Facts
At Lucknow in 1916, Tilak and Jinnah shared the same political stage, symbolizing Hindu-Muslim unity.
The pact was hailed by Annie Besant as a 'wonderful beginning of a new era of national cooperation'.
The Lucknow Pact marked Jinnah as an 'ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity', a title he later lost.
Mains Key Points
Lucknow Pact marked the first formal Congress-Muslim League cooperation.
It strengthened nationalist struggle by bridging moderates, extremists, and Muslims.
Acceptance of separate electorates sowed seeds of future communal divide.
Despite its flaws, it was a milestone in India’s political awakening during WWI.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Lucknow Pact → 1916 (Congress + Muslim League).
Congress accepted separate electorates for Muslims for the first time.
Extremists and moderates reunited at Lucknow Session (1916).
Key leaders: Tilak, Annie Besant, Jinnah.
Montagu’s Declaration (1917) and Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)
Key Point
Montagu’s Declaration of August 1917 promised 'progressive realisation of responsible government in India.' This was followed by the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms), introducing dyarchy in provinces and expanding legislative councils. While reforms fell short of nationalist expectations, they marked a shift in British policy acknowledging India’s demand for self-government.
Montagu’s Declaration of August 1917 promised 'progressive realisation of responsible government in India.' This was followed by the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms), introducing dyarchy in provinces and expanding legislative councils. While reforms fell short of nationalist expectations, they marked a shift in British policy acknowledging India’s demand for self-government.
Detailed Notes (10 points)
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Montagu’s Declaration (August 20, 1917): Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, announced that Britain’s policy was to introduce 'gradual development of self-governing institutions' in India.
Context: Pressure from Home Rule Movement, Lucknow Pact, growing revolutionary activities, and India’s sacrifices in WWI forced Britain to promise reforms.
Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms): Implemented recommendations of Montagu and Viceroy Lord Chelmsford.
Provincial Dyarchy: Subjects divided into 'Reserved' (law, police, revenue – under British officials) and 'Transferred' (education, health, agriculture – under Indian ministers).
Legislative Councils: Expanded at central and provincial levels; more Indians included but still no real control over executives.
Bicameralism at Centre: For the first time, a bicameral legislature introduced – Central Legislative Assembly and Council of States.
Separate Electorates: Extended to Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, and Europeans – deepening communal divisions.
Governor-General’s Powers: Retained overriding veto; executive remained firmly under British control.
Public Reaction: Nationalists criticized reforms as inadequate, calling them 'disappointing and deceitful'. Tilak called dyarchy 'a new charter of slavery'.
Impact: Though unsatisfactory, the reforms represented a constitutional milestone and laid foundation for later reforms like Government of India Act, 1935.
Key Features of Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Provincial Dyarchy | Subjects divided into Reserved (British control) and Transferred (Indian ministers) |
| Legislative Councils | Expanded, but executive power remained with British |
| Central Legislature | Introduced bicameralism: Assembly + Council of States |
| Separate Electorates | Extended to more communities (Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians) |
| Governor-General Powers | Retained veto and overriding control |
Fun Facts
Montagu was the first British Secretary of State for India to visit India personally (1917).
The reforms introduced the first Indian woman legislator, Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz, later under expanded councils.
Despite reforms, Governor-General could overrule all provincial decisions, making dyarchy ineffective.
Mains Key Points
Montagu’s Declaration was the first official British statement promising responsible government in India.
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms introduced dyarchy, but left critical powers with British officials.
Acceptance of separate electorates deepened communal politics.
Though inadequate, the reforms marked a constitutional step and prepared ground for future struggles.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Montagu’s Declaration → 20 August 1917.
Government of India Act, 1919 → Introduced dyarchy in provinces.
First bicameral legislature at centre introduced in 1919.
Tilak called dyarchy 'a new charter of slavery'.
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