Lucknow pact - class-XII

Kesari is a Marathi newspaper founded by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1881. He was an Indian nationalist, teacher, social reformer, lawyer and an independence activist. The newspaper was not established as profit making venture but as a way to spread political education among the common people and played an important role in the national movement.

Home Rule League was formed by Indian militant nationalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak and British social reformer and Indian independence leader Annie Besant. It lasted for two years from 1916 to 1918. Tilak’s group, founded at Poona concentrated its efforts mostly in western India, and that of Besant, set up at Madras had more of an all-India scope. It was Indian response to the WWI in a less charged way than the Ghadr movement led by Indian nationals living abroad.

Home Rule League was formed by Indian militant nationalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak and British social reformer and Indian independence leader Annie Besant. It lasted for two years from 1916 to 1918. Some of its objectives were establishment of self- government, revival of political activity on their own while maintaining the principles of congress, to build up an agitation for home rule by promoting political education and discussion, etc.

The Home Rule Movement in India was spearheaded by Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1916. They aimed to achieve self-government for India within the British Empire.

Annie Besant political reformer, women's rights activist, theosophist and Indian nationalist. She was the second President of The Theosophical Society from 1907 to 1933. The Theosophical Society was an organization formed in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky to advance Theosophy.

Annual festivals in memory of Shivaji and Lord Ganesha were started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. These festivals were organized to build a national spirit among the common people in opposition to colonial rule. But the major drawback of these events was that although they were meant to be a way to oppose colonial rule, they also contributed to religious tensions.

The All India Home Rule League was a national political organization founded in April 1916 to lead the national demand for self-government, termed Home Rule, and to obtain the status of a Dominion within the British Empire as enjoyed by Australia, Canada at the time.

Lucknow Pact refers to an agreement reached between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League at the joint session of both the parties, held in Lucknow, in the year 1916. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, then a member of the Congress as well as the League, made both the parties reach an agreement to pressure the British government to adopt a more liberal approach to India and give Indians more authority to run their country, besides safeguarding basic Muslim demands. Due to the reconciliation brought about by Jinnah between the Congress and the League, the Nightingale of India, Sarojini Naidu, gave him the title of “the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity”.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak wrote about the deportation of Punjab in 1907 in his newspaper Kesari. The 1907 Punjab unrests were a period of unrest in the British Indian province of Punjab, principally around the Colonisation bill that was implemented in the province in 1906. Kesari is a Marathi newspaper founded by Lokmanya Tilak in 1881. The newspaper was not established as profit making venture but as a way to spread political education among the common people and played an important role in the national movement.

The August Declaration of 1917, also known as the Montagu Declaration, stated that the British government's policy was the increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions.

Edwin Samuel Montagu served as Secretary of State for India between 1917 and 1922. On 20 August 1917, he made a historic declaration in the House of Commons defining the goal of British policies in India. In the previous month, he had made a scathing attack on the whole system by which India was being administered in a debate in British House of Commons. It is also known as August Declaration of 1917.

On 20 August 1917, Edwin
Samuel Montagu made a historic declaration in the
House of Commons defining the goal of British policies in India. In the
previous month, he had made a scathing attack on the whole system by which
India was being administered in a debate in British House of Commons. It is
also known as August Declaration of 1917

Edwin Samuel Montagu served as Secretary of State for India between 1917 and 1922. On 20 August 1917, he made a historic declaration in the House of Commons defining the goal of British policies in India. In the previous month, he had made a scathing attack on the whole system by which India was being administered in a debate in British House of Commons. It is also known as The Montague Declaration.

The Assertive Nationalists doubted whether the August Declaration could satisfy the people of India. Bal Gangadhar Tilak criticised the declaration as "unworthy and disappointing- a sunless dawn", Mrs. Basant presided over the Calcutta Session of the Congress in 1917.

The Assertive Nationalists doubted whether the August Declaration 1917 could satisfy
the people of India. Bal Gangadhar Tilak criticised the declaration as "unworthy and
disappointing- a sunless dawn".

Mrs. Annie Basant described the Montagu declaration as something "unworthy of England to offer and India to accept".

The Montague declaration is titled: “Increasing association of Indians in every branch of administration, and the Gradual development of self-governing Institutions with a view to the progressive realization of responsible governments in India as an Integral part of the British Empire”.

The moderates led by Surendranath Banerjee supported the Montague declaration in November 1918 in a separate conference. Thus Congress again got split. The extremist remnants created another front All India Liberal Federation, which soon disappeared from the scene.

Sir S Subramaniya Aiyar renounced his knighthood for the protest against Britishers, due to their response towards home rule league leaders. He surrendered it as a protest against the internment of Dr Besant and her colleagues by the Madras Government. 

The unity of interests and objectives opened the doors for renewed cooperation between the Congress and the Muslim League. Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak too played a significant role in bringing the two organizations together.

Annie Besant tried to reunite the two wings of the Congress-the Early
Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
rejoined the Congress in 1916 and played a major role in resolving
differences between the Congress and the League.

Duke Memorandum is associated with Sir William Duke, a member of the English Round Table Group and he had formulated a scheme which eventually became the basis of Joint Report of Montague and Chelmsford. “The Duke Memorandum” became the basis of Mont-Ford Reforms.

Annie Besant tried to reunite the two wings of the Congress-the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists. Bal Gangadhar Tilak rejoined the Congress in 1916 and played a major role in resolving differences between the Congress and the League.

In November 1917, Montagu visited India to ascertain the views from all sections of political opinion from India. He discussed with Gandhi, with Jinnah and others. On the basis of the above discussions, a detailed report on Indian Constitutional Reforms was prepared. This report was published in July 1918.

The following factors brought the Muslim League and the Congress closer:

• The partition of Bengal was cancelled.
• National Muslims like Abul Kalam Azad and the Ali Brothers-Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali- made use of the opportunity to spread nationalist ideas among the Muslims for mobilising public opinion in favour of self-government.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak was released from jail in 1914, after six years.

The moderates led by Surendranath Banerjee supported the Montague declaration in November 1918 in a separate conference. Thus Congress again got split. The extremist remnants created another front All India Liberal Federation, which soon disappeared from the scene.

In the First World War, Britain was fighting against Turkey. This caused  a wave of pro-Turkey and pro-Caliph or  Khilafat sentiments amongst the Muslims.

In November 1917, Montagu visited India to ascertain the views from all sections of political opinion from India. He discussed with Gandhi, with Jinnah and others.

The joint scheme symbolized Hindu-Muslim unity. Both the communities agreed to comprise in some areas for the common good. The Congress compromised on its secular character by accepting the scheme of separate electorates for Muslims. The Muslim League accepted the principles of election and the majority rule. As a result of this pact, the Hindus and the Muslims worked together from 1916 to 1922.

The Lucknow session and the signing of the Lucknow Pact brought about unity between the Assertive Nationalists and the Early Nationalists. After the Surat Session of 1907, both the wings of the Congress were moving in different direction.

The Lucknow Pact provided for a communal veto in legislation, because no Legislature could proceed with any bill if three-fourths of the members of a particular community opposed it.

Both the wings of the Congress came together in 1916 and as a result, the Congress was strengthened. The Congress President of the Lucknow session in 1916, Ambica Charan Mazumdar rightly remarked, "if the united Congress was buried at Surat, it is reborn at Lucknow",

Both the wings of the Congress came together in 1916 and as a result, the Congress was strengthened. The Congress President of the Lucknow session in 1916, Ambica Charan Mazumdar rightly remarked, "if the united Congress was buried at Surat, it is reborn at Lucknow",

The Lucknow Pact addressed multiple issues, including the structure of the India Council, the composition of provincial legislatures, and the representation of minorities in elected bodies to foster cooperation between the Congress and the Muslim League.

As the First World War continued, and the Home Rule League was gaining momentum, the leaders of the Congress and the League impressed upon the British Government that their demands for constitutional reforms should not be rejected if they wished Indians to be loyal to the British. The Government, therefore, felt it necessary to pacify the Indians by the Declaration of August 20, 1917, which promised a policy of gradual development of self-government institutions in India.

The Lucknow Pact was not concluded through mass participation. It was primarily a brainchild of the educated and rich Hindus and Muslims. The Pact accepted in principle that the interests of the Hindus and Muslims were separate.

The Lucknow Pact was significant because it brought about Hindu-Muslim unity, reunited the moderate and extremist factions within the Congress, and presented a united front to pressure the British government for reforms.

The Lucknow Pact demanded the abolition of the India Council- The India Council of the Secretary of State, which operated from England, The Secretary of State for India was to be assisted by two Under-Secretaries, of whom one should be an Indian.

Drawbacks of the Lucknow Pacts-By
accepting separate electorates for Muslims, the Congress lost its
secular character and paved the way for future communal tension.

To make the radicals politically inactive, the British tried to win the favour of the moderates and Muslims by giving greater representation in the legislature. To carry out this intention Morley-Minto reformations were implemented in 1909. In this act they created a separate election constituency for the Muslims. Meanwhile, the First World War broke out (1914).This gave a new force to the national movement. In 1916 Lokamanya Tilak and Annie Besant organised Home Rule movement.

To make the radicals politically inactive, the British tried to win the favour of the moderates and Muslims by giving greater representation in the legislature. To carry out this intention Morley-Minto reformations were implemented in 1909. In this act they created a separate election constituency for the Muslims. Meanwhile, the First World War broke out (1914).This gave a new force to the national movement. In 1916 Lokamanya Tilak and Annie Besant organised Home Rule movement.

To make the radicals politically inactive, the British tried to win the favour of the moderates and Muslims by giving greater representation in the legislature. To carry out this intention Morley-Minto reformations were implemented in 1909. In this act they created a separate election constituency for the Muslims. Meanwhile, the First World War broke out (1914).This gave a new force to the national movement. In 1916 Lokamanya Tilak and Annie Besant organised Home Rule movement. This movement was inspired by Irish Home Rule movement. Its main objective was to bring self-government in India. Tilak and Annie Besant started Home Rule movements separately in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in the year 1916.

Gandhiji considered Gopal Krishna Gokhale his political mentor. Upon the death of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, however, he famously remarked that his strongest bulwark had gone.

During the time of the freedom struggle, to make the radicals politically inactive, the British tried to win the favour of the moderates and Muslims by giving greater representation in the legislature. To carry out this intention Morley-Minto reformations were implemented in 1909. In this act they created a separate election constituency for the Muslims. Meanwhile, the First World War broke out (1914). This gave a new force to the national movement. In 1916 Lokamanya Tilak and Annie Besant organised Home Rule movement. This movement was inspired by Irish Home Rule movement. Its main objective was to bring self-government in India. Tilak and Annie Besant started Home Rule movements separately in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in the year 1916.

Annie Besant started the newspaper New India. It was not for profit purposes but to spread the idea of patriotism among the people. She criticized British rule and was jailed for sedition. The newspaper supported the movement for Indian Nationalism.

Begum Hazrat Mahal, the wife of Nawab Wazid Ali Shah of Awadh ruled on behalf of her 11-year-old son Birjis Qadar and led the revolt of 1857 in Lucknow. She refused to accept the pension offered to her by the British and choose to die unmourned in Nepal.

To make the radicals politically inactive, the British tried to win the favour of the moderates and Muslims by giving greater representation in the legislature. To carry out this intention Morley-Minto reformations were implemented in 1909. In this act they created a separate election constituency for the Muslims. Meanwhile, the First World War broke out (1914).This gave a new force to the national movement. In 1916 Lokamanya Tilak and Annie Besant organised Home Rule movement.

Home Rule Leagues were organizations established in April and September 1916 during WW I, by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and  Annie Besant. Many Indian revolutionaries suported the Britishers but Tilak and Besant considered this an opportunity to achieve independence from the British. Thus, they decided to organise a national alliance of leagues across India, specifically to demand Home Rule, or self-government within the British commonwealth.

Home Rule Leagues were organizations established in April and September 1916 during WW I, by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and  Annie Besant. The idea was propounded by Annie Besant on the lines of Irish Home Rule movement. Many Indian revolutionaries suported the Britishers but Tilak and Besant considered this an opportunity to achieve independence from the British. Thus, they decided to organise a national alliance of leagues across India, specifically to demand Home Rule, or self-government within the British commonwealth.

Lucknow pact was an agreement made by the Indian National Congress headed by Maratha leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the All-India Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the Lucknow session of 1916.  After a lapse of about 10 years both the Moderates and Extremists were united again at this session. Congress and Muslim League decided to make a united demand for self-government. 

The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olcott in 1875 in New York. Mrs. Annie Besant made the movement very popular in India. It represented both Indian and international character. It preached universal brotherhood of men irrespective of distinctions of caste, creed, race or sex. 

The historic 1916 Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress, which saw the reunion of the moderates and extremists and the signing of the Lucknow Pact, was presided over by Ambika Charan Majumdar.

Annie Besant was a prominent journalist and activist who started the newspaper 'New India' to propagate her ideas and the Home Rule movement.

The First World War created conditions of economic hardship and political unrest in India, which provided the backdrop and inspiration for the launch of the Home Rule Leagues to demand self-government.

Lucknow Congress session of 1916 adopted an agreement known as the Lucknow Pact. It marked the coming together of moderates and extremists in Congress on common platform again after nearly a decade and concession of separate electorates given by the Congress to the Muslim League.

Annie Besant first came to India on 16 November 1893. When World War I broke out in 1914, she helped launch the Home Rule League to campaign for democracy in India and dominion status within the Empire. She published New India and Commonweal. The Commonweal was a weekly dealing with issues of national reform and New India was a daily newspaper which for fifteen years was a powerful instrument promoting Home Rule and revolutionizing Indian journalism.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a moderate leader, was cautious and believed that the time was not ripe for such a radical agitation as the Home Rule Movement, thus he expressed reservations about it.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the primary leaders who launched the Home Rule League in 1916, specifically focusing on the Maharashtra and Karnataka regions.

The India House in London was a revolutionary organization founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma to promote the cause of Indian independence among students in Britain.