The Home Rule movement (1916)
- Two home rule leagues were established, one by B.G.Tilak at Poona in April 1916 and the other by Mrs. Annie Besant at Madras in September 1916.
- The aim of the movement was to get self- government for India within the British Empire.
- It believed freedom was the natural right of all nations.
- Moreover, the leaders of the home movement thought that India’s resources were not being used for her needs.
- The two leagues cooperated with each other as well with the congress and the Muslim league in putting their demand for home rule.
- While Tilak’s Movement concentrated on Maharashtra, Annie Besant’s movement covered the rest of the country.
- The home rule movement had brought a new life in the national movement.
- There was a revival of Swadeshi.
- Women joined in larger numbers.
- On 20 August 1917, Montague, the Secretary of state in England, made a declaration in the parliament of England on British government’s policy towards future political reforms in India.
- He promised the gradual development of self- governing institutions in India.
- This August declaration ked to the end of the home rule movement.