The Home Rule Movement
A major campaign for self-government within the British Empire.
A Call for Self-Government
The Home Rule Movement was a powerful response to the limitations of constitutional agitation. Launched in 1916 by **Bal Gangadhar Tilak** and **Annie Besant**, the movement aimed to achieve self-government for India within the British Empire, similar to Canada or Australia. It focused on educating the public and building a unified national consciousness, laying the groundwork for future mass movements led by Mahatma Gandhi.
1916
The Year of
Its Inception
Tilak & Besant
The Key Leaders
of the Movement
A Timeline of the Movement’s Impact
April 1916: Tilak’s League
Bal Gangadhar Tilak established the first Home Rule League in Belgaum, with a focus on Maharashtra (excluding Bombay), Karnataka, Central Provinces, and Berar.
September 1916: Besant’s League
Annie Besant launched her own Home Rule League in Madras, covering the rest of India. The two leagues worked in close cooperation to promote their common goal.
Campaigns and Public Awareness
The movement relied on public meetings, lectures, and newspapers to spread the message of self-rule. Besant’s newspaper, “New India,” and Tilak’s “Kesari” were instrumental in this effort.
Decline and Legacy
The movement lost steam by 1919 due to the government’s repressive measures and the rise of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement. However, it successfully mobilized the masses and laid the organizational groundwork for India’s future independence struggle.