Indian Response to First World War & Home Rule Movement

Introduction

The war provided an opportunity for Indian nationalists to push for greater autonomy and self-governance. While some supported the British war effort in hopes of gaining concessions, others saw it as an opportunity to demand independence. The war also highlighted the contradictions of British colonialism, as India was expected to sacrifice for a war in which it had no direct stake. India, then under British colonial rule, was drawn into the war effort as a part of the British Empire. Indian soldiers fought on various fronts, contributing significantly to the war effort.

Indian Nationalist Responses to the First World War

• The First World War (1914-1919) period saw the maturation of Indian nationalism.
• There were two sides in the war
  • Allies: Britain, France, Russia, USA, Italy, and Japan.
  • Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey.

• Indian Response
• Moderates: supported the British Empire in the war as a duty.
• • Extremists: Like Tilak supported the war, hoping for self-government as a reward for India’s loyalty.
  • Revolutionaries: Saw an opportunity to wage war against British rule and aimed for immediate independence.
• Misguided Beliefs: Supporters of British war efforts failed to realize that imperialist powers were safeguarding their own interests, not promoting India’s welfare.
• Impact of British Repression: Suppression of publications like Maulana Azad’s Al Hilal and Mohammad Ali’s Comrade.
  • Internment of leaders like Ali brothers, Maulana Azad, and Hasrat Mohani fueled discontent and anti-imperialist sentiments among the ‘Young Party’.
• Financial Impact on India: The war drained India of troops, reducing the number of white soldiers to a mere 15,000 at one point. 
  • It raised the possibility of financial and military help from Germany and Turkey.

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The Home Rule Movement and Its Leaders

Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress (1916)

• President: Ambika Charan Majumdar (a Moderate leader).
• Readmission of Extremists to Congress: Reunion with Extremists Led by Tilak.
• Factors Facilitating the Reunion: 
  • Irrelevance of old controversies, 
  • Realization by both Moderates and Extremists of the political inactivity caused by the split, 
  • Vigorous efforts by Annie Besant and Tilak for reconciliation, 
  • Tilak’s declarations supporting administrative reform rather than government overthrow and denouncing violence, 
  • Death of Pherozeshah Mehta, who had opposed Extremists, eased the reunion process.

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The Lucknow Pact and the Evolution of Hindu-Muslim Unity

• Congress and Muslim League presented common demands to the government marking a significant unity between the two major political parties in India.

• Reasons for the Change in the League’s Attitude
• • British Actions Leading to Discontent Among Muslims: Refusal to aid Turkey in its war, annulment of the partition of Bengal in 1911, Refusal to establish a university at Aligarh with nationwide affiliations.
  • Shift in League’s Political Outlook: Younger League members leaning towards bolder nationalist politics beyond the limited scope of the Aligarh school and Calcutta session of the Muslim League in 1912 committed to working for self-government similar to Congress’s goals.

Reasons of Nationalist Upsurge at the End of First World War

• Post-War Economic Hardships.
• Broken Promises of democracy and self-determination post war.
• Propaganda and Realities: Both sides of the War used propaganda to expose each other’s colonial atrocities, eroding the image of superiority. However, post-war treaties showed no intention of loosening colonial control.
• Disillusionment:  The Paris Peace Conference and subsequent treaties showcased that the imperialist powers had no intention of relinquishing control over their colonies
• Resurgence of Nationalism: Countries like Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, Burma, the Philippines, Indonesia, and others saw a surge in militant nationalist movements seeking independence.
• Impact of Russian Revolution (November 7, 1917): The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, planned the October Revolution resulting in the overthrow of the Czarist regime and the establishment of the Soviet Union (Self-Determination rights to czarist colonies,  message to the masses that the people have immense powers).

Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act, 1919)

• The government announced constitutional reforms in 1918  known as Montagu-Chelmsford or Montford Reforms. 
• Based on these, the Government of India Act, In 1919 was enacted. [UPSC 2016]
• Edwin Montagu was Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford was Viceroy of India.

Features of Act [UPSC 2015]

• Provincial Government: Introduction of Dyarchy

• • Dyarchy introduced a dual system of governance at the provincial level. [UPSC 2017]
  • Executive authority is divided into “reserved” and “transferred” subjects.
  • Reserved Subjects (e.g., law and order, finance): were under the control of the governor and his executive council of bureaucrats.[UPSC 2022]
  • Transferred subjects (e.g., education, health): were administered by ministers nominated from elected members of the legislative council, responsible to the legislature.[UPSC 2022]
  • No responsibility of executive councilors to the legislature.
  • The Governor could take over the administration of transferred subjects in case of failure of constitutional machinery.
  • The Secretary of State and Governor-General can interfere in reserved subjects only.

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• Provincial Legislature

• • Expanded provincial legislative councils to 70% elected members.
  • Consolidated system of communal and class electorates.
  • Granted voting rights to women. [UPSC 2021]
  • Legislature could initiate legislation but required the governor’s assent.
  • The governor had veto power and authority to restore rejected budgets.

• Central Government – No Responsible Government

• • No provision for responsible government at the all-India level.
  • The Governor-General remained the chief executive authority.
  • Central and provincial lists for administration.
  • Viceroy’s executive council included three Indian members.
  • The Governor-General retained control over reserved subjects in provinces.
  • The Governor-General had powers to restore budget cuts, certify bills, and issue ordinances.

• Central Legislature

• • Introduced bicameral legislature – Central Legislative Assembly (145 members) and Council of State (60 members).
  • Council of State:five-year tenure, consisting only of male members.
  • Central Legislative Assembly: Three-year tenure.
  • Legislators had limited control over the budget; 75% of the budget was non-votable.
  • Some Indian representation in important committees, including finance.
• Key Change Introduced: The Government of India Act, 1919 made an important change— the Secretary of State for India was henceforth to be paid out of the British exchequer.
• Congress Reaction: Declared reforms “Disappointing” and “Unsatisfactory”.
  • Tilak:  “Unworthy and Disappointing- a Sunless dawn”.
  • Annie Besant: “Unworthy of England to offer and India to accept”.

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Conclusion

• The First World War catalyzed the maturation of Indian nationalism, with varied responses from different factions within the country. 
• The Home Rule movement gained momentum, with moderates and extremists alike pushing for greater autonomy within the British Empire. 
• The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 marked a significant step towards constitutional reform, though they fell short of nationalist aspirations for complete self-governance. 
• Despite differing approaches and outcomes, the war and subsequent reforms underscored the growing demand for Indian participation in governance and laid the groundwork for the eventual independence movement.