Question map
Who among the following leaders started the Indian Home Rule League?
Explanation
The Indian Home Rule League was established by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in April 1916 during a meeting at Belgaum [1]. Headquartered in Poona, Tilak's league operated across Maharashtra (excluding Bombay), Karnataka, the Central Provinces, and Berar [1]. Its primary objectives included achieving swarajya (self-rule), the formation of linguistic states, and promoting education in vernacular languages [1]. While Annie Besant launched a separate All India Home Rule League in September 1916 based in Madras, Tilak was the first to formally launch the movement in India that year [2]. Other leaders mentioned, such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale, served as mentors to figures like Gandhi but were associated with the Moderate faction rather than the Home Rule Leagues. Tilak's initiative marked a shift toward more aggressive nationalist politics during the First World War period [2].
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Tilak's League > p. 297
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 14: First World War and Nationalist Response > Home Rule League Movement > p. 295