Home Rule Movement | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

Minto-Morley Reforms - 1909

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was pushing for more reforms and greater self-governance for Indians.
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale traveled to England to meet Morley and stress the need for reforms.
• In 1906, a delegation of elite Muslims led by Aga Khan met Lord Minto and requested a separate electorate for Muslims.
• John Morley, a member of the Liberal government, aimed to bring positive changes to India's governance.
• Lord Minto, the Viceroy, and Morley, the Secretary of State for India, jointly proposed reforms to the Indian Councils.
• The Indian Councils Act, also known as the Minto-Morley Reforms Act, was enacted in 1909.
• This Act introduced changes to the functioning of the Indian Councils, including increasing the number of elected members.
• It established a separate communal electorate for Muslims.
• The Congress strongly opposed the Act.
• The Act introduced communal representation in Indian politics, which divided people along communal lines.

The First World War (1914-1918)

• The onset of the First World War occurred in 1914, marking a significant global conflict.
• During this period, the British administration urged India to join the war effort on behalf of Britain.
• Initially, Indian leaders were hesitant, but they eventually consented to Indian soldiers participating in the war.

Lucknow Session - 1916

• Two significant historical events occurred during the Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress.
• Moderates and Extremists came together, presenting a unified front.
• The Congress and the Muslim League agreed to collaborate towards achieving self-government.
• The signing of the Lucknow Pact in 1916 between the Congress and the Muslim League was a crucial milestone in fostering Hindu-Muslim unity.

The Home Rule Movement (1916)

• Two organizations advocating for Home Rule were founded in 1916, one led by B.G. Tilak in Poona and the other by Mrs. Annie Besant in Madras.
• The primary objective of the movement was to secure self-governance for India while remaining a part of the British Empire.
• Both Leagues collaborated not only with each other but also with the Congress and the Muslim League to push for their demand for Home Rule.
• While Tilak's efforts were focused on Maharashtra, Besant's activities extended across the rest of the nation.
• Prominent figures like Motilal Nehru and C.R. Das actively supported the movement.
• Dr. Annie Besant stirred significant public enthusiasm through her speeches and writings, leading to the banning of her publication, New India.
• Both Tilak and Annie Besant faced arrest as a consequence of their involvement in the movement.

August Declaration (Offer) - 1917

• On 20 August 1917, Montague, the Secretary of State in England, announced in the British Parliament the government's plan for future political reforms in India.
• He pledged the gradual establishment of self-governing institutions in India, marking a significant shift in British policy towards Indian governance.
• This declaration effectively brought the Home Rule Movement to a close, reshaping the political landscape in India.