First World War, Home Rule Leagues and the Lucknow Pact (1914 to 1918)

During the First World War Indian politics revived through the Home Rule Leagues and the Congress-League Lucknow Pact of 1916, and the British made the Montagu Declaration in 1917.

Indian response to the war

India supplied men, money and materials for the British war effort. The Defence of India Act (1915) curbed political activity. Indian leaders hoped for self-government as a reward, but the war brought higher prices, taxes and shortages, and a revolt of Indian feelings. Gandhi returned to India on 9 January 1915.

Home Rule Movement (1916 to 1918)

• Besant was interned in June 1917, which brought huge protests. She was elected Congress president in 1917 (first woman).
• The Movement was inspired by the Irish Home Rule movement, and brought the educated and students into political activity, along with Jinnah in Bombay. It faded after the Montagu Declaration and Gandhi's arrival.

The Lucknow Pact (December 1916)

• The Congress (led by Ambika Charan Mazumdar as president, with Tilak) and the Muslim League (under Jinnah) signed a pact at Lucknow.
• The Congress accepted separate electorates for Muslims, and the League joined the demand for self-government. Muslim seat shares in councils were fixed (a third of the Imperial Council, and weightage for minority provinces).
• The Moderates and Extremists reunited in the Congress.
• Hindu-Muslim unity looked strong, but accepting separate electorates was criticised later.

Montagu Declaration (20 August 1917)

Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, declared that the aim of British policy was the "increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions, with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire." It was the first time a British promise of responsible government was made.