Home Rule League Movement

Which one of the following was NOT the feature of the Home Rule movement in India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Boycott and Picketing” option2=”Two separate Home-Rule Leagues rather than one All-India Home-Rule Organisation” option3=”Setting up of discussion groups and reading rooms” option4=”Sale and circulation of pamphlets” correct=”option1″]

The correct option is A.

The Home Rule movement (1916-1918) primarily focused on achieving self-government within the British Empire through constitutional means, public meetings, propaganda, and organisation. Tactics like boycott and picketing were more characteristic of the Swadeshi movement (1905-1908) and later, the Non-Cooperation movement (1920-1922). Boycott and picketing were not central features of the Home Rule movement’s methods.

The Home Rule movement saw the formation of two separate leagues: one led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak (primarily in Maharashtra, except Bombay city, Karnataka, Central Provinces, and Berar) and the other by Annie Besant (covering the rest of India). Both leagues aimed at raising political consciousness and demanding Home Rule. They actively used methods like public meetings, lectures, discussions, and extensive publication and distribution of pamphlets, newspapers, and books.

Which of the following statements regarding Home Rule Leagues in India are correct ?

• 1. The movement was led by the moderate Congress leaders.
• 2. There were two Home Rule Leagues.
• 3. The movement became strong, because other mass agitations could not be launched by the Congress during the World War.
• 4. The government was non-reactive to the movement.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2, 3 and 4″ option3=”1 and 4 only” option4=”2 and 3 only” correct=”option4″]

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Home Rule Leagues were primarily led by prominent nationalist leaders often associated with the ‘extremist’ faction, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, although they sought the cooperation of moderates.
Statement 2 is correct. There were two main Home Rule Leagues founded in India during this period: the Indian Home Rule League founded by Tilak in April 1916 and the All India Home Rule League founded by Annie Besant in September 1916.
Statement 3 is correct. The Home Rule movement gained momentum during World War I (1914-1918) as major Congress leaders decided not to launch large-scale agitations while the war was ongoing. This created a political vacuum that the Home Rule Leagues effectively filled by mobilizing public opinion for self-government.
Statement 4 is incorrect. The British government was not non-reactive. It took repressive measures against the Home Rule movement, including the arrest of Annie Besant and her associates in June 1917, which further intensified the movement and led to widespread protests.

The Home Rule Movement was a significant phase of the Indian national movement that demanded self-government (Home Rule) for India. It was characterized by the establishment of two leagues led by Tilak and Besant and occurred during World War I.

The Home Rule Movement used methods like public meetings, propaganda, and organized campaigns to popularize the demand for self-government. It helped in reviving the political activity that had slowed down after the Surat Split and during the early years of WWI, and also integrated moderate and extremist factions of the Congress to some extent.