Defence of India Act and Lucknow Pact

Defence of India Act:

In India during WW1, the British government passed the Defence of India Act (1916)

The act was introduced to ensure the British Government ruled India and controlled revolutions and future wars. They wanted to make Indians understand that Britain is still the authority in India

Revolutionary activities were banned, leaders of Congress and the Muslim league were arrested, public speeches and meetings were banned, freedom of the press was limited and anti-British articles were banned

The British government ignored the promises made to the Indian National Congress and All India Muslim League

The Lucknow Pact:

There was unity between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League. Concessions were made between the two parties

It was agreed that 1/3 of the seats would be reserved for Muslims in each council, there would be separate electorates for Muslims and that no law would be passed without the consent of 1/3 of the Muslims

The Lucknow pact failed due to a lack of cooperation, communal rioting and religious differences

Some religious Hindu leaders were invited to join the Indian National Congress to control religious conflicts, however, it divided the Indian national congress between the liberals and the extremists

The Lucknow pact had shown the liberal ideas of the Indian National Congress as they made many concessions and it was an attempt to build unity between the All India Muslim League and Indian National Congress

It showed the fear that the British had as they started new reforms after this pact which were to their benefit. They were afraid of losing their power or the start of a new war

The Lucknow Pact showed the instability of the Indian National Congress. They failed to maintain the pact due to internal fights and conflicts between the liberal and religious extremist factions

Notes are taken in the class of Miss Caleb