Tag: the national movement (during the first world war)

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.