Lucknow Pact

Lucknow Pact 1916

-Congress – League joint scheme of reforms 1916

-Agreement b/w ML and INC
-Signed December 1916

Demands

-SES for Muslims

-Weightage – More representation than population size
-3/4th members of a community pass/reject bill
-Viceroy Executive Council – half Indians
-Council of SOS – disbanded + Two Assistant Secretaries (I Indian)
+ Salary of SOS from British exchequer
-Independent Judiciary

Question:

- ‘Why was the Lucknow Pact signed in 1916?’ [7]

R1: WW1

-The First World War started in 1914, with Britain as a major

participant. Viceroy Lord Chelmsford began planning post-war reforms
and asked Indian politicians for their input.

Analysis:

-Signed b/c ML + INC leaders wanted to exert maximum political

pressure through a joint reform package.
Ex2: Mr Jinnah Factor

-Jinnah joined INC in 1906 + ML in 1913 + Supporter/Ambassador

(Hindu-Muslim Unity/Indian Nationalism).

Analysis:

-Signed b/c Mr Jinnah persuaded leaders of both parties to work

for Indian Nationalism/Unity.

Ex3: Change in Muslim League Objectives

-Italy invasion of Libya (1911) + Balkwan wars (1912-13) + Kanpur

Mosque incident (1913).

Analysis:

-The Muslim League’s shift in objectives, aligning with the INC’s call
for Indian self-rule, facilitated the signing of the treaty between the
two.

Home-Rule League:

-Annie Besant – an Irish lady

-1914 – joined INC
-1916 – Sept – started movement for getting Self-Rule
-Jawar Lal Nehru – Branch in Allahabad (Head)
-Mr.Jinnah – Bombay Branch Head
-June 15, 1917, arrested
-Released September 17, 1917
Question: May/June 2021

-1(c) ‘Explain the importance of the Lucknow Pact of 1916.’ [7]

Ex1: Hindu-Muslim Unity

-Differences (reversal of partition + new Bihar-Orissa province)

Analysis:

-Important for future b/c Hindu Muslim unity established.

Ex2: Muslim Demands Accepted

-INC accepted Muslim demands (SES + 1/3rd representation + 3/4th

consent).

Analysis:

-Important to Muslims b/c SES ensured Muslim separate political

identity helping them to get nation status and further achieving
independent homeland.

Ex3: Self-Rule Demand

-Joint demand of Self-Rule presented.

Analysis:

-Important b/c British awarded Diarchy system in 1919 Act in

provinces that further culminated into Provincial Autonomy in
1935 Act.