Chapter-14
Nationalist Reaction to the First World War
Arora IAS Class Notes
Nationalist Responses:
- Moderates:Supported British war effort as a duty.
- Extremists (including Tilak):Supported war expecting concessions (self-government) from Britain.
- Revolutionaries:Saw war as an opportunity to overthrow British rule.
Revolutionary Activities:
- Ghadr Party (North America):Mobilized Indian citizens abroad for rebellion.
- Berlin Committee (Europe):Gained German support, sent missions to western Asia to incite anti-British sentiment.
- Scattered Mutinies (e.g., Singapore):Indian soldiers rebelled against British.
Motivation for Revolutionaries:
- Weaker British troop presence in India.
- Potential aid from Germany and Turkey (enemies of Britain).
Home Rule League Movement
Background (Pre-WWI):
- Nationalist dissatisfaction with Morley-Minto reforms.
- Economic hardships due to WWI (high taxes, rising prices).
- Disillusionment with “white superiority” exposed by war propaganda.
- Tilak’s release in 1914 and call for cooperation with British war effort.
- Annie Besant’s desire to promote Indian self-government.
Factors Leading to the Movement:
- Need for continuous pressure on government (unlike annual Congress sessions).
- Growing support for aggressive political action.
Leaders:
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Annie Besant
- S. Khaparde
- Sir S. Subramania Iyer
- Joseph Baptista
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah (among others)
Objectives:
- Self-government (Home Rule) for India within the British Commonwealth.
- Similar to Irish Home Rule movement.
The Leagues (1916):
- Two separate leagues emerged due to internal disagreements.
- Tilak’s League (April 1916):
- Headquarters: Poona
- Areas of operation: Maharashtra (excluding Bombay city), Karnataka, Central Provinces, Berar
- Branches: 6
- Demands: Swarajya, linguistic states, vernacular education
- Besant’s League (September 1916):
- Headquarters: Madras (now Chennai)
- Areas of operation: Rest of India (including Bombay city)
- Branches: 200 (loosely organized)
- Key figures: George Arundale (organizing secretary), B.W. Wadia, C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar
- Tilak’s League (April 1916):
League Activities:
- Public meetings and conferences.
- Educational programs (libraries, reading rooms, classes).
- Propaganda through media (newspapers, pamphlets, posters, plays, songs).
- Fundraising and social work.
- Participation in local government activities.
Impact:
- Broadened nationalist appeal beyond traditional regions.
- Attracted new leaders like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chittaranjan Das, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
- Gained momentum after the Russian Revolution (1917).
Limitations:
- Distrust from some minorities (Anglo-Indians, Muslims, South Indian non-Brahmins) who feared Hindu dominance.
Outcome:
- The Home Rule Leagues paved the way for more radical movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- The All India Home Rule League eventually changed its name to Swarajya Sabha in 1920.
Government Response
- Repressive Measures:
- Banned students from political meetings (Madras).
- Travel restrictions on Tilak (Punjab, Delhi).
- Arrested Besant, Wadia, Arundale (June 1917).
- Nationalist Reactions:
- Nationwide protests.
- Sir S. Subramania Iyer renounced knighthood.
- Tilak advocated passive resistance.
- Montagu (Secretary of State) criticized government actions.
- Outcome:
- Strengthened resolve of nationalists.
- Besant released in September 1917.
Why the Home Rule Agitation Faded by 1919
Reasons for Decline:
- Organizational weaknesses:Lack of a strong structure.
- Communal Tensions:Riots in 1917-18.
- Moderate Appeasement:Reforms talk (Montagu Declaration, 1917) pacified some Moderates.
- Extremist Tactics:Talk of passive resistance alienated Moderates (from Sep. 1918).
- Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1918):Further divided nationalist opinion.
- Indecisive Leadership:
- Besant unsure about reforms and passive resistance.
- Tilak abroad for a libel case (Sep. 1918).
- Rise of Gandhi:Gandhi’s mass movement overshadowed Home Rule.
Positive Gains:
- Shift from Elite to Masses:Focus moved from educated elite to broader participation.
- Town-Country Link:Created an organizational bridge for future mass movements.
- Nationalist Generation:Inspired a new generation of freedom fighters.
- Prepared for Gandhian Politics:Mobilized people for Gandhi’s methods.
- Influenced Reforms:Montagu Declaration (1917) and subsequent reforms.
- Revived Congress:Efforts to reunite Moderates and Extremists strengthened the Congress.
- Urgency for Change:Added urgency to the national movement.
Home Rule vs American Rule
- Goal:Home Rule sought dominion status within British Empire (like Canada). American Rule aimed for complete independence.
- Extent:Home Rule focused on self-governance within British structures. American Rule envisioned a new, independent nation.
- Leadership:Home Rule leaders like Tilak and Besant advocated for negotiation. American Revolution involved forceful overthrow.
- Timeline:Home Rule peaked 1916-18. American Revolution occurred 1775-83.
- Impact:Home Rule influenced Montagu Declaration (1917). American Revolution inspired Indian independence movements.
Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress (1916)
Readmission of Extremists:
- Lucknow session presided by Moderate Ambika Charan Majumdar.
- Extremists led by Tilak readmitted to Congress fold.
- Reunion facilitated by obsolete controversies, mutual realization of political inactivity, efforts by Annie Besant and Tilak.
- Tilak reassured Moderates, emphasizing support for administrative reform, denouncing violence.
- Death of Pherozeshah Mehta eased Moderate opposition to Extremists.
Lucknow Pact between Congress and Muslim League:
- Congress and Muslim League presented joint demands to government.
- League’s attitude shift attributed to British actions in Turkey, annulment of Bengal partition, denial of university at Aligarh, younger League members’ turn to bold nationalist politics.
- Calcutta session of Muslim League (1912) committed to working with other groups for self-government, aligning with Congress objectives.
- First World War repression fueled anti-imperialist sentiments among younger Muslims.
Nature of the Pact:
- Congress accepted League’s stance on separate electorates until either community demanded joint electorates.
- Muslims granted fixed proportion of seats in all-India and provincial legislatures.
- Joint demands included early self-government declaration, expanded representative assemblies, five-year legislative council terms, British treasury payment of Secretary of State’s salary, and Indian representation in executive councils.
Critical Comments:
- Executive-legislature relations flawed, leading to potential constitutional deadlock similar to Morley-Minto reforms.
- Congress and League convergence marked a significant step in two-nation theory’s evolution.
- Lack of effort to unite masses from both communities, but decision aimed to allay minority fears.
- Controversial acceptance of separate electorates generated enthusiasm, government declaration of intention to grant self-government in future, as in Montagu’s August 1917 declaration.
Montagu’s Statement of August 1917 (August Declaration)
- Date:August 20, 1917
- Speaker:Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State for India
- Key Points:
- Increased participation of Indians in administration.
- Gradual development of self-governing institutions.
- “Progressive realisation of responsible government in India” as part of the British Empire.
- Significance:
- Legitimized Indian self-government aspirations.
- Implied future answerability to elected representatives.
- Indian Objections:
- No specific timeline for self-government.
- British control over pace and nature of reforms.
Important Leaders
- Annie Besant (1847-1933)
Early Life and Activism
- Born: October 1, 1847, Ireland (as Annie Wood)
- Early advocate for women’s rights, worker’s rights, and socialist reforms
- Joined Theosophical Society in 1889, developing interest in Hinduism
Move to India and Nationalist Awakening
- Arrived in India (1893) and became involved in independence movement
- Founded Indian Home Rule League (1916) demanding complete independence
- First woman president of Indian National Congress (1917)
Educational Reforms and Legacy
- Established Central Hindu School (later Banaras Hindu University)
- Championed research into Indian religions and philosophies
- Founded women’s educational institutions
Disagreements and Continued Support
- Disagreed with Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement
- Remained a vocal advocate for India’s independence despite differences
- Died in 1933, a revered figure in Indian history
- Ganesh Srikrishna Khaparde (1854-1938)
Early Life and Political Activism
- Born: August 27, 1854 (Deshastha Brahmin family, Berar)
- Lawyer, scholar, and political activist
- Close associate of Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Represented Tilak in legal appeals (1908-1910)
- Member of Indian Home Rule League (founded 1916)
Shifting Political Allegiances
- Briefly joined the Imperial Legislative Council (post-1919 reforms)
- Left Congress in anticipation of Gandhi’s Non-cooperation Movement (1920)
- Member of Central Legislative Assembly (1920-1925)
Religious Devotion
- Devotee of Saint Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon
- Devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba
- Kept a diary recording visits to Sai Baba (1910-1918) – valuable source of information
Died: July 1, 1938
3.Muhammad Ali Jinnah: (1876-1948)
Early Life and Education
- Born: December 25, 1876, Karachi (British India)
- Barrister trained at Lincoln’s Inn, London
Political Career
- Early advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity within the Indian National Congress (early 1900s)
- President of Muslim League (1916)
- Resigned from Congress due to disagreements over strategy (1920)
- Led the Muslim League in demanding a separate Muslim state (1940)
- Instrumental in the partition of India and creation of Pakistan (1947)
Legacy in Pakistan
- Founding Father of Pakistan
- First Governor-General of Pakistan
- Honored as “Quaid-i-Azam” (“Great Leader”)
- Motilal Nehru: (1861-1931)
Early Life and Education
- Born: 1861, Agra (after father relocated from Delhi)
- Raised by elder brother in Allahabad
- Law degree from Allahabad High Court (1883)
Legal Career and Family
- Successful lawyer, accumulated wealth
- Initially Westernized, later adopted Indian customs
- Ensured quality education for children (including daughters)
Freedom Struggle
- Joined Indian National Congress (INC)
- Twice INC President (1919, 1928)
- Advocated for self-rule through constitutional means
- Supported Gandhi’s Non-cooperation Movement (arrested)
- Co-founded Swarajya Party with CR Das (1922)
- Led the opposition in Central Legislative Assembly
Legacy
- Authored the Nehru Report (1928), a draft Indian constitution
- Retired due to health concerns in 1929
- Died in 1931
- Chittaranjan Das (1870-1925)
Early Life and Education
- Actively involved in Brahmo Samaj, a social reform movement
- Graduated from Presidency College, Calcutta (1890)
- Studied law in England but failed the Indian Civil Services exam
Legal Career and Rise to Prominence
- Practiced law at Calcutta High Court
- Defended Aurobindo Ghosh in the Alipore Bomb Case (1908)
- Advocated for Bengali language use in education
- Championed Khadi and Indian self-sufficiency
Nationalist Activism
- Joined the Non-Cooperation Movement and promoted Khadi
- Became a key figure in the Indian National Congress
- Arrested for participating in the movement (1921)
Swaraj Party and Legacy
- Disagreed with Gandhi’s suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Co-founded the Swaraj Party with Motilal Nehru (1923)
- Renowned poet and writer
- Earned titles like “Deshbandhu” (Friend of the Country)
- Died in Darjeeling in 1925, admired by Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose
- Diwan Bahadur Sir Subramania Iyer (1842-1924)
- Lawyer, jurist, and Indian nationalist (“Grand Old Man of South India”)
- Co-founded Home Rule Movement with Annie Besant
- Founding member of Indian National Congress and leader of Mylapore faction
- Held positions like Justice, Chief Justice (acting) of Madras High Court, and Vice-Chancellor of Madras University
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