Lucknow Pact of 1916

Table of Contents

Introduction: Lucknow Pact

The Lucknow Pact (1916) was a significant event in the Indian independence movement, representing an important moment of unity between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All-India Muslim League (AIML).

The session of the Indian National Congress held at Lucknow in 1916 was historically significant for two events. The first was the end of conflict and reconciliation of the moderate and extremist factions within the Congress. The second significant event was the alliance between Congress and the Muslim League.

Lucknow Pact 1916 Main Points

The table highlights the important points about the Lucknow Pact of 1916:

Aspect	Details
Date	December 1916
Signed Between	Indian National Congress (INC) and All India Muslim League (AIML)
Leaders Involved	Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Annie Besant (Congress) and Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Muslim League)
Purpose	To bridge differences between the INC and AIML
Main Agreement	Mutual understanding between Hindus and Muslims for future political reforms
Congress Concession	Agreed to separate electorates for Muslims
Muslim League Concession	Accepted joint demands for self-governance and greater representation in government
Impact on Unity	Fostered Hindu-Muslim unity and collaboration in the independence movement
Significance	Marked the first time the INC and AIML agreed on common political demands
Long-term Effect	Paved the way for future cooperation and strengthened the demand for self-rule in India

This table provides a concise overview of the key aspects of the Lucknow Pact of 1916.

Importance of Lucknow Pact 1916

Unity between INC and AIML:
- The pact was a result of efforts to bridge the gap between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All-India Muslim League (AIML).
- Both organizations recognized the need for cooperation to address common grievances and advance their respective political agendas.
British Policy of Divide and Rule:
- The British colonial administration had a policy of dividing different communities in India to maintain their control.
- The Lucknow Pact was a response to this strategy, as leaders from both INC and AIML sought to counteract it by demonstrating solidarity between Hindus and Muslims.
Reversal of Bengal Partition:
- The British government’s decision to reverse the partition of Bengal in 1911 due to widespread protests highlighted the effectiveness of unified opposition.
- The nationalists of India realized that they were divided into many factions. For the progress of the national movement, their collective struggle against the British authorities is essential.
- As the spirit of nationalism grew in the country, the need for unity at the national level was felt.

Demands presented to the British

Lucknow Pact — ***Bal Gangadhar Tilak represented the Congress while framing the pact***

Joint Representation: Both the INC and AIML agreed to demand separate electorates for Muslims while maintaining joint representation in the legislatures.
Proportional Representation: The pact proposed the allocation of seats in the legislative councils in proportion to the population.
Autonomy for Provinces: It called for greater autonomy for provinces, advocating for the devolution of power from the central government to the provinces.
The number of elected seats on the Provincial Legislative Council and the Governor-Generals Legislative Council should be increased.

Leaders’ Reactions

INC Leaders: Prominent INC leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant supported the pact to foster Hindu-Muslim unity.
Muslim League Leaders: Leaders of the Muslim League, including Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Aga Khan, saw the pact as a significant achievement in ensuring Muslim representation.

Aftermath

Impact on Indian Nationalism: The Lucknow Pact was crucial in fostering Hindu-Muslim unity.
Legislative Framework: The principles outlined in the pact influenced subsequent constitutional discussions and reforms in India, including the Government of India Act of 1919 and 1935.

Lucknow Pact UPSC PSC Questions

Q1. In December 1916 both the Indian National Congress and the Indian Muslim League held their session at [UPPSC (Pre) 2004]

(a) Aligarh
(b) Allahabad
(c) Lucknow
(d) Lahore

Ans: (c)

Q2. The Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress that took place in 1916 was presided over by [UPPSC (Mains) 2013, 2010]

(a) Annie Besant
(b) Lala Lajpat Rai
(c) Motilal Nehru
(d) AC Majumdar

Ans: (d)

Q3. The famous ‘Lucknow Pact’ was signed between Congress and the Muslim League in [WBCS 2017]

(a) 1913
(b) 1914
(c) 1915
(d) 1916

Ans: (d)

Q4. The Congress for the first time accepted the system of separate electorate for Muslims in the year [RAS/RTS (Pre) 1999]

(a) 1909
(b) 1916
(c) 1932
(d) 1932

Ans: (b)

Q5. Which of the following presents a period of unanimity between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League? [UPPSC (Pre) 1992]

(a) 1906-1911
(b) 1916-22
(c) 1917-21
(d) 1940-46

Ans: (b)

Q6. Which one of the following is not correct about the Congress Session of Lucknow, 1916? [UPPSC 2010]

(a) Ambika Charan Majumdar was not the President of this session.
(b) In this session, the reunion between the liberal and the extremist was established.
(c) Mahatma Gandhi was apprised of the problems of the peasants of Champaran for the first time.
(d)None of the above

Ans: (a)

Q7. Who of the following has called Mohammad Ali Jinnah an “Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity”? [UPPSC 2004]

(a) Annie Besant
(b) Sarojini Naidu
(c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(d) None of the above

Ans: (b)

Q8. What was the proposal made by Lokmanya Tilak at the Lucknow Session of the Congress in 1916 to transform the Congress from a deliberative body into one capable of leading a sustained movement? [CDS 2007]