History · Spectrum Books A Brief History of Modern India
Chapter 14 : First World War and Nationalist Response
Table of contents23 sections
- 1.First World War and Nationalist Response
- 2.Three-Fold Nationalist Response
- 3.Key Terms
- 4.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 5.Home Rule League Movement
- 6.Factors Leading to the Movement
- 7.The Leagues
- 8.The Home Rule League Programme
- 9.Government Attitude
- 10.Why the Agitation Faded out by 1919
- 11.Positive Gains
- 12.Key Terms
- 13.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 14.Lucknow Session of the Indian National Congress 1916
- 15.Readmission of Extremists to Congress
- 16.Lucknow Pact between Congress and Muslim League
- 17.Key Terms
- 18.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 19.Montagu's Statement of August 1917
- 20.Indian Objections
- 21.Key Terms
- 22.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 23.Quick-Recall Box
Chapter preview
First World War and Nationalist Response
Context: During the First World War (1914–18), Britain allied with France, Russia, the USA, Italy, and Japan against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey. This period witnessed the maturing of Indian nationalism.
Three-Fold Nationalist Response
The nationalist response to British participation in the war was divided into three distinct strands. Indian supporters failed to realise that imperialist powers were fighting merely to safeguard their own colonies and markets.
| Nationalist Group | Stance on the First World War | Rationale / Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Moderates | Supported the empire in the war. | Viewed it as a matter of duty. |
| Extremists | Supported the war efforts. | Held the mistaken belief that Britain would repay India's loyalty with gratitude in the form of self-government. Led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak (released in June 1914). |
| Revolutionaries | Decided to wage war against British rule to liberate the country, striving for immediate complete independence in India. | Viewed the war as a heaven-sent opportunity due to the draining of troops from India (white soldiers dropped to 15,000 at one point) and the possibility of financial/military help from Germany and Turkey (Britain's enemies). |
Note on Revolutionary Activity: Carried out through the Ghadr Party in North America, the Berlin Committee in Europe, and scattered mutinies by Indian soldiers (e.g., in Singapore).
Key Terms
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Three-Fold Nationalist Response | The divided reaction of Indians to WWI, comprising Moderate support (duty), Extremist support (expectation of self-government), and Revolutionary opposition (armed rebellion). |
📌 Exam Tidbits
- Dates: First World War (1914–18); Tilak released (June 1914).
- Troop Statistic: The number of white soldiers in India went down to only 15,000 at one point during the war.
- Organisations: Ghadr Party (North America), Berlin Committee (Europe).
Home Rule League Movement
The Home Rule Movement was a less charged but more effective Indian response to the First World War compared to the romantic Ghadr adventure abroad.
- Prominent Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Annie Besant, G.S. Khaparde, Sir S. Subramania Iyer, Joseph Baptista, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
- Objective: To form a national alliance working throughout the year (unlike…
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