The year 1916 was significant in the history of India’s national movement as it witnessed two important developments: the reunion of Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress, and the Lucknow Pact between the Congress and the Muslim League. Together, these events strengthened nationalist unity and gave new energy to the freedom struggle.
Background
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The Surat Split of 1907 had divided the Congress into Moderates and Extremists, weakening the movement.
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The First World War (1914–1918) created political unrest and renewed demands for self-government.
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The Home Rule Movement (1916) revived nationalism and encouraged unity among different political groups.
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The Muslim League, initially loyal to the British, realized the need to cooperate with the Congress to safeguard Muslim interests.
Reunion of Extremists and Moderates (1916)
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The Congress session of 1916 was held at Lucknow.
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Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant (Extremists) and Annie Besant, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Surendranath Banerjee (Moderates) worked to bring both factions together.
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The reunion restored unity in the Congress after nearly a decade of division.
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The common goal was to demand self-government (Swaraj) from the British.
Lucknow Pact (Congress–League Agreement, 1916)
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At the same Lucknow session, an agreement was signed between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
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The pact was largely facilitated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Annie Besant, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah (then in the Congress and League).
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Main provisions of the pact:
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The British must grant self-government in India.
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Increased representation of Indians in legislatures.
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Separation of executive and judiciary.
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Muslim League was granted separate electorates, with weightage given in minority provinces.
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Congress accepted Muslim political demands in return for their support in the nationalist movement.
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Significance of the Lucknow Pact
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Marked the first cooperation between Congress and Muslim League.
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Restored unity within Congress by reconciling Moderates and Extremists.
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Strengthened the nationalist movement by presenting a united front to the British.
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Popularized the demand for Swaraj as a right rather than a concession.
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However, the acceptance of separate electorates sowed the seeds of communal division, which later harmed national unity.
Key Takeaway
The Reunion of Extremists and Moderates, along with the Lucknow Pact of 1916, was a landmark in India’s freedom struggle. It showcased the strength of unity and created a powerful platform for demanding self-government. Although the pact introduced communal concessions, it temporarily brought Hindus and Muslims together in the fight against British rule.