The Indian National Congress (INC) faced a major split in 1907 during the Surat session due to differences between the Moderates and the Extremists. This event led to the exit of the Extremists from Congress, resulting in a period of political inactivity within the party.
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Politics After the Surat Split
1. Inactivity in Congress
Many Moderate leaders were unhappy with the split as it led to stagnation in political activities. Some Moderates were even sympathetic to Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s proposal to reunite Congress.
2. Change in Tilak’s Approach
Tilak realized that having the backing of the Congress was crucial for any successful political movement. To win over the Moderates, he distanced himself from violent methods and any attempt to overthrow the government. After his release from jail in 1914, he actively sought the readmission of Extremists into Congress.
3. Pressure from Annie Besant
Annie Besant, who had joined Congress in 1914, pushed for the return of Extremists to revive political activity. However, the Bombay Moderate group, led by Pherozshah Mehta, opposed this move. As a result, Tilak and Besant decided to restart political activities independently while continuing efforts to re-enter Congress.
The Home Rule League Movement
The Home Rule League Movement emerged in the backdrop of World War I and the inactivity within Congress. Several factors contributed to its rise:
- High inflation and heavy taxation imposed to fund the war.
- Brutal suppression of revolutionary activities like the Ghadr Movement.
- Annie Besant’s efforts to launch a movement inspired by the Irish Home Rule League, advocating self-rule within the British Commonwealth.
Formation of the Home Rule Leagues
- In 1915, Congress agreed to re-admit the Extremists but did not support the Home Rule League Movement.
- Tilak established his Home Rule League in April 1916.
- Annie Besant launched her League in September 1916 after failing to gain Congress’s approval.
- The two leaders operated separately to avoid conflicts among their supporters.
Key Figures of the Home Rule League Movement
Annie Besant
- Arrived in India in 1893 as part of the Theosophical Society.
- Advocate of free thought and Fabian socialism.
- Elected President of the Indian National Congress in 1917.
Tilak’s League
- Established in April 1916 at the Bombay Provincial Conference in Belgaum.
- Covered Maharashtra (excluding Bombay City), Karnataka, Central Province, and Berar.
- Promoted the idea of self-rule through lectures and public outreach.
Besant’s League
- Formed in September 1916 in Madras.
- Covered Bombay and the rest of India.
- Loosely organized, with key associates like George Arundale, BP Wadia, and CP Ramaswamy Aiyer.
- Used newspapers like New India and Commonweal for propaganda.
Objectives of the Home Rule Movement
- Spread awareness about self-rule through political education.
- Conduct public meetings, set up libraries, and distribute pamphlets.
- Engage students and common people in political discussions.
Many Congress members, including Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, CR Das, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah, joined the movement.
Government’s Response
- Repression: Students were barred from political participation.
- Arrests: In June 1917, Annie Besant and her associates were arrested, triggering nationwide protests.
- Moderate Support: Leaders like Madan Mohan Malaviya, Surendra Nath Banerjee, and Jinnah joined in solidarity.
- Montagu’s Statement (1917): British Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, announced plans for increased Indian participation in administration and gradual self-governance.
Decline of the Home Rule League Movement
By 1919, the movement began to fade due to several reasons:
- Moderates lost interest after Besant’s release and government talks on reforms.
- Annie Besant’s inconsistent leadership weakened the movement.
- Tilak’s absence due to his trip to England left the movement leaderless.
- Rise of Mahatma Gandhi, who introduced mass-based passive resistance, shifting the focus of the nationalist struggle.
- Merger with Congress: In 1920, Gandhi took over the leadership of the League and renamed it Swarajya Sabha, which was later absorbed into the Congress.
Evaluation of the Home Rule League Movement
Contributions
- Revived political activity during Congress’s inactive phase.
- Popularized the demand for self-rule among the masses.
- Trained a new generation of nationalist leaders.
- Helped bridge the gap between urban and rural political activism.
- Influenced Montagu’s Statement (1917) and subsequent constitutional reforms.
Limitations
- Failed to achieve tangible results in securing Home Rule.
- The idea of Home Rule was overshadowed by Gandhi’s mass movements and passive resistance.
The Lucknow Session of 1916
1. Re-admission of Extremists to Congress
- Tilak and his supporters were welcomed back under Moderate president Ambika Charan Mazumdar.
- The deaths of key Moderate leaders like Pherozshah Mehta and Gokhale eased tensions.
- Efforts by Tilak and Annie Besant facilitated the reunion.
2. The Lucknow Pact (1916) Between Congress and the Muslim League
Background:
- The annulment of the Bengal partition (1911) and Britain’s actions against the Ottoman Empire (1914) alienated many Muslims.
- Young nationalists in the Muslim League sought cooperation with Congress.
- Tilak and Besant played a crucial role in uniting both parties.
Terms of the Pact:
- Common demand for self-government.
- Congress agreed to separate electorates for Muslims.
- Muslims secured one-third representation in the Central Legislature.
- Additional provisions for increased Indian representation in governance.
Impact:
- Sparked nationalist enthusiasm and compelled the British to consider reforms.
- Congress’s acceptance of separate electorates contributed to the two-nation theory and communal politics.
First World War and Indian Nationalism
Conflicting Views on British Support
- Moderates and some Extremists (including Tilak) supported Britain, hoping it would lead to self-governance.
- Revolutionaries saw it as an opportunity to overthrow British rule.
- The Ghadr Movement gained momentum, seeking an armed rebellion.
The Home Rule League Movement, the Lucknow Pact, and World War I collectively shaped India’s nationalist struggle. While the Home Rule League did not achieve its immediate goal, it played a crucial role in revitalizing the independence movement.
The unity between Congress and the Muslim League in the Lucknow Pact temporarily strengthened the nationalist movement, but later developments led to increased communal divisions. The experience gained in these movements laid the groundwork for future struggles under Gandhi’s leadership.
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FAQ’s on Revival of Political Activity
1. Why did the Indian National Congress split in 1907?
The split at the Surat session happened due to clashes between Moderates, who favored gradual reforms, and Extremists, who demanded immediate self-rule. This led to the Extremists leaving Congress, causing political inactivity.
2. How did Tilak try to reunite with Congress?
After his release in 1914, Tilak distanced himself from violent methods and worked to reunite with the Moderates. With Annie Besant’s support, the Extremists were readmitted in 1916.
3. What was the Home Rule League Movement?
Started by Tilak and Besant in 1916, it demanded self-rule within the British Empire, revived political activism, and trained future nationalist leaders.
4. What was the Lucknow Pact?
A 1916 agreement between Congress and the Muslim League demanding self-rule. It briefly united Hindus and Muslims but later fueled communal divisions.
5. Why did the Home Rule League decline?
It weakened by 1919 due to Besant’s inconsistent leadership, Tilak’s absence, and Gandhi’s rise. In 1920, it merged with Congress under Gandhi’s leadership.
