Leadership and Launch
- The Home Rule Movement was launched in 1916 by Bal Gangadhar Tilak together with Annie Besant, an Irish philosopher, reformer, and political activist who had become a passionate supporter of Indian self-government.
- Following his release from prison in 1914, Tilak set himself three specific tasks: reconciling and reuniting the two factions of the Congress, promoting Hindu-Muslim cooperation, and working towards the ideal of home rule.
Core Demands and Objectives
- The movement called for self-government for India within the British Empire.
- Unlike the demand for full independence previously voiced by earlier Nationalists, the Home Rule Movement sought a measure of real internal autonomy, which was viewed as a practical first step.
Political Alignment and the Lucknow Pact
- Tilak succeeded in reuniting the Moderate and Nationalist factions of the Congress at the December 1916 Lucknow session.
- At the same 1916 Lucknow session, the Congress and the All-India Muslim League signed the historic Lucknow Pact to work together for representative government, with the Congress conceding separate electorates for Muslims in legislative councils.
British Response and Public Attitude
- The British government was not willing to concede even the demand for internal autonomy within the Empire.
- In smaller localities across India, ordinary people were often fearful of showing open sympathy towards advocates of home rule due to the strict colonial atmosphere.
Historical Significance
- The colonial government’s refusal to grant home rule set the stage for the freedom struggle to transition into a new era of nationwide mass political mobilization.
Reference Ncert Document
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/lehs303.pdf
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/jess302.pdf
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/hees202.pdf
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/hess208.pdf
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/lefl105.pdf
