Test: Lucknow Pact, Home Rule League and August Declaration - Class 10 MCQ

Bal Gangadhar Tilak played a crucial role in popularizing the Home Rule Movement and extending its reach beyond Pune to all of Maharashtra and central provinces, thereby linking the idea of self-rule with widespread nationalist sentiment.

The Lucknow Pact facilitated Hindu-Muslim unity by fostering a compromise where the Congress recognized separate electorates for Muslims, while the Muslim League accepted majority rule and electoral principles. This collaboration was vital in strengthening the Indian nationalist movement.

The Lucknow Pact stipulated that a separate electorate for Muslims would be maintained, allowing them to elect representatives specifically for their community. This provision was intended to ensure their political participation amidst the growing nationalistic movements in India.

The Home Rule Movement transformed Indian nationalism into a grassroots-level struggle by involving ordinary people, thereby widening the base of the nationalist movement and instilling a strong sense of political awareness among the masses.

A feature of the Lucknow Pact was the demand for the appointment of an Indian under-secretary to assist the Secretary of State, reflecting the growing demand for Indian representation in governmental structures and decision-making processes.

The decline of the Home Rule Movement can be attributed to the lack of firm leadership after Bal Gangadhar Tilak's absence following his trip to England, combined with the diminishing enthusiasm among early nationalists who were divided over the British reforms.

The August Declaration was significant as it was perceived as a step toward self-governance for India. It was seen as a response to the growing demands of Indian nationalists, although many felt it was insufficient and too slow.

The Lucknow Pact was criticized for being limited to the interests of the wealthy and educated classes of both Hindus and Muslims, thereby excluding the broader masses from its benefits. This limitation hindered its effectiveness as a truly representative political agreement.

The Government of India Act, 1919, introduced a bicameral central legislature composed of the Council of States and the Indian Legislative Assembly, allowing for more structured legislative processes, although still under British oversight.

Dyarchy involved dividing provincial responsibilities into reserved subjects, which were managed by the Governor, and transferable subjects, which were overseen by ministers responsible to the legislature. This dual system aimed to manage governance more effectively, but it also created confusion and inefficiency.

The Indian National Congress criticized the Government of India Act, 1919, as inadequate and disappointing because it did not grant true self-governance and retained significant British control over Indian affairs, which limited the effectiveness of Indian representatives.

The Home Rule Movement aimed at achieving self-government for India within the framework of the British Empire. Both Tilak and Besant believed that political pressure and education were crucial for obtaining greater autonomy for Indians.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak's release from prison was a pivotal moment that boosted the morale of the Congress and helped unite the Hindu and Muslim communities against British rule. His activism and leadership were instrumental in fostering nationalist sentiments.

Annie Besant was a pivotal figure in the Home Rule Movement, launching it in Chennai and successfully establishing around 200 branches across India, thereby promoting the cause of self-governance through political education and grassroots engagement.

The annulment of the Partition of Bengal in 1911 was a significant event that stirred nationalist sentiments among Indians, particularly Muslims and Hindus, and contributed to their support for the Congress as they sought to challenge British authority.

One of the key demands of the Lucknow Pact was that four-fifths of the members of the Provincial Legislature should be directly elected, with only one-fifth being nominated. This aimed to enhance democratic representation for the Indian populace.

Granting women the right to vote was not a demand of the Lucknow Pact. The Pact focused primarily on political representation and governance issues, particularly for Hindus and Muslims, without explicitly addressing women's suffrage.

The outrage among Indian Muslims was primarily due to Britain's conflict with Turkey during World War I. Many Muslims viewed the Sultan of Turkey as the protector of their sacred sites, and Britain's opposition to Turkey incited them to support the Indian National Congress in its quest for self-government.

In response to the pressures from the Home Rule Movement, the British government issued the Declaration of 20 August, which promised gradual development of self-governance institutions in India. This was a strategic attempt to placate nationalist sentiments during World War I.

A notable feature of the Government of India Act, 1919, was the introduction of communal electorates, which allowed separate representation for various communities, including Sikhs and Anglo-Indians, creating a more divided electoral process that reflected the complexities of Indian society.