In the previous post, we have read about the Ghadar Movement. This was the phase of Revolutionary Nationalism. Now we will move towards the time of World War-I and Contemporary impact on India
World War-I and Impact on India
Mature nations and mature people never fight on double fronts. In 1914, Britain was facing a very big challenge in the form of World War-I. Now, it became necessary for them to control internal crises ie Revolutionary Nationalism.
So, in this situation, they released Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1914. Although his term was of 6years. But due to the pressure of World War-I, Britishers released Tilak before his term was completed. As he came out he started Home Rule League in India.
Home Rule League
The general reason for the demand of the Home Rule League was that in the contemporary time Australia and Canada also demanded the same. So, by taking inspiration from these countries Indians also started Home Rule League. But there were a lot of reasons to start the Home Rule League. The main leaders were Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant.
Role of Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Tilak during this movement gave the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”. So, this movement was started to get self-rule under the guardianship of Britain. Because according to Tilak and Annie Besant British Government, people were not understanding the requirement of people in India.
After coming out of Jail in 1914, Tilak wanted to rejoin the Indian National Congress. But the old leaders like G.K. Gokhale and Pherozshah Mehta were still against the entry of extremists and Tilak. In this situation, it seems Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the league to demonstrate that he is still a mass mobilizer in India.
Role of Annie Besant
The country that showed the path of liberation to the entire world became the victim of slavery. So, in this background, its disciples became a moral duty to bring out Jagat Guru from this trouble. This led to the birth of the Theosophical Society in Newyork (USA) by Colonel Olcott and Madame Blavatsky.
The objective of the Theosophical Society was the revival and reformation of ancient Indian religions like Brahminism, Buddhism, and Jainism, etc. So, as a member of the Theosophical Society, Annie Besant was sent to India to work for the objective of society.
Annie Besant arrived in India and established her headquarter near Adyar in Madras(Chennai). But after some time, she understood that the immediate priority of Indians is political rights no religious reforms. So, in this situation, she jumped into the political struggle of India ‘Demanding self-rule for Indians under Home Rule League’.
In the next coming post, we shall discuss features of the Home Rule League and its impact on the masses. Till then keep learning.
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