The Lucknow Session and the Lucknow Pact were significant events in India’s struggle for independence, showcasing the spirit of unity and cooperation among different communities and political parties. Held in December 1916, the Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress witnessed the historic reunion of the Moderates and Extremists within the Congress fold, setting aside their ideological differences for the greater cause of Indian nationalism. This session laid the groundwork for the Lucknow Pact, a landmark agreement between the Congress and the Muslim League, aimed at presenting a united front in their demands for constitutional reforms and greater self-governance from British colonial rule. The pact symbolized a crucial step towards Hindu-Muslim unity and marked a turning point in India’s political landscape, shaping the course of its struggle for freedom.
The Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress in 1916 was a big deal for the freedom movement. It brought back the Extremists into Congress, making the Moderates and Extremists work together. Also, it saw Congress teaming up with the Muslim League, resulting in the Lucknow Pact. This pact was a big step in Hindu-Muslim unity and both groups agreed on asking for self-rule and better representation. These changes were important for the freedom struggle and where it was headed.
Tilak Reunion
At the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress, something big happened: the Extremists, led by Tilak, joined hands with the Moderates. Ambika Charan Majumdar, a Moderate leader, oversaw this reunion. They decided to forget their past arguments and focus on the bigger goal: getting independence for India. Both sides admitted that their break had caused a period of no progress in politics. Annie Besant and Tilak played important roles in making this reunion happen. Tilak assured the Moderates that he wasn’t pushing for violent overthrow, but rather for administrative changes. The deaths of two key Moderate leaders who opposed the Extremists also made it easier for this reunion to happen. With these changes, Congress could move forward together.
Congress and Muslim League Union
The Muslim League joining hands with the Indian National Congress at Lucknow was a big deal in the nationalist movement. The League, led by younger and more passionate nationalists, started to oppose British rule more openly.
There were a few reasons for this change:
- Muslim Discontent: Many Muslims felt let down when Britain didn’t support Turkey in its conflicts. They were also upset when Bengal’s partition was undone, which some Muslim groups had supported. Plus, the refusal to set up a university in Aligarh that could connect colleges across India didn’t sit well with certain Muslims.
- Embracing Stronger Nationalist Politics: Younger League members wanted to move beyond just Muslim issues and get involved in broader nationalist politics. They were tired of the limited views of the Aligarh school and wanted to stand up for India’s interests.
- Shared Goal of Self-Government: The League, in its Calcutta meeting in 1912, agreed to work with other groups to get self-government for India. As long as this goal didn’t hurt the interests of Indian Muslims, they were on board. This common aim brought the League and Congress closer.
- Suppression of Leaders: When the British put leaders like the Ali brothers, Maulana Azad, and Hasrat Mohani in jail, and shut down Maulana Azad’s Al Hilal and Mohammad Ali’s Comrades during World War I, it made younger Muslims angry. This government crackdown made them more anti-imperialist and bold in their stance.
Lucknow Pact
The Lucknow Pact was a big deal in India’s fight for freedom because it brought the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League together. Here’s what the pact was about:
- Separate Seats for Muslims: The Congress agreed that Muslims could have their own seats in the legislative bodies. This meant that until both communities wanted to vote together, Muslims would have their reserved seats.
- Working Together for Change: The Muslim League and Congress agreed to team up and ask the British government for certain changes in the law. This way, they could show a united front in their fight for self-rule.
- Making Sure Muslims Have a Say: In both national and provincial legislatures, a certain number of seats were set aside just for Muslims. This was to make sure that Muslims had a voice and that their interests were protected.
Other Demands:
- Official Commitment to Self-Government: The government must formally declare its dedication to granting Indians self-rule as soon as possible.
- Empowerment of Representative Assemblies: Elected assemblies at both national and provincial levels should have a majority of elected members and increased authority.
- Extension of Legislative Council Terms: Terms for legislative councils should be prolonged to five years to ensure stability and consistency in governance.
- Funding from British Treasury: Salaries for the Secretary of State for India and compensation for the viceroy and provincial governors should be covered by the British Treasury instead of using funds from India.
- Representation in Executive Councils: The executive councils of the viceroy and provincial governors should include an equal number of Indian members, ensuring greater Indian representation at the highest levels of governance.
- Direct Elections: The Lucknow Pact suggested holding direct elections for both provincial and central legislatures, allowing more Indians to participate in the voting process. Around four-fifths of the seats in these legislatures were to be chosen through direct elections.
- Strengthening Councils: The pact stressed the importance of giving more authority to legislative councils, ensuring they were more inclusive and had a big say in decision-making.
- Dominion Status and Self-Government: The goal of the pact was to attain dominion status for India, which meant having more control over its own affairs while still being part of the British Empire. The aim was to achieve self-government for India as soon as possible.
- More Indian Representation in the Viceroy’s Council: The pact pushed for increasing the number of Indian members in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. It suggested that at least half of the council’s members should be Indians, which was a significant change from the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909.
In summary, the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress was very important in India’s freedom struggle. It brought unity among different groups within Congress and led to a reunion of Moderates and Extremists. Also, it brought together Congress and the Muslim League through the Lucknow Pact, which was a big step in Hindu-Muslim cooperation. The decisions made during this session influenced the political scene and set the direction for India’s fight for independence.
Also Read: Home Rule League Movement