Pre Lucknow Pact 1916

The Lucknow Pact of 1916: Hindu-Muslim Unity
and Political Accommodation
Background and Quaid-e-Azam's Role
Historic Inclusion of Quaid-e-Azam

 Quaid-e-Azam's inclusion in the Muslim League in 1913
marked a significant event.
 Advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity, respected in both Congress
and Muslim League.
 Successfully convinced both parties to hold annual sessions
in Bombay in 1915.
Formation of Reform Committees
 Congress and Muslim League set up Reform Committees for
constitutional changes.
 Aimed to collaborate on a scheme for reforms in consultation
with other parties.
The Cordial Atmosphere of Lucknow Pact
Joint Sessions in Lucknow (1916)
 Congress and Muslim League held their joint sessions in
Lucknow.
 Cordial atmosphere paved the way for collaboration.
Quaid-e-Azam's Role in the Pact
 Quaid-e-Azam played a major role in preparing the scheme
for constitutional reforms.
 The approved scheme was presented at the joint session for
approval.
Main Recommendations and Achievements
Key Recommendations of the Pact
1. Muslim Representation: One-third seats for Muslims in the
Imperial Legislative Council.
2. Separate Electorate: Introduction of separate electorates.
3. Executive Council Composition: Half of the Executive
Council members to be elected by the Imperial Legislative
Council.
4. Army Commissioned Ranks: Commissioned ranks in the
army for Indians.
5. Provincial Legislative Councils: Expansion of provincial
legislative councils.
6. Governor's Executive Council: Half of the Governor's
Executive Council members to be elected by the legislative
council.
7. Minority Weightage: Weightage for minorities in provinces.
8. Veto Power: Unofficial bills opposed by three-fourths
members of a community will not pass.
Quaid-e-Azam's Leadership
 Jinnah played a pivotal role in drafting the Lucknow Pact.
 His leadership was hailed as an ambassador of Hindu-
Muslim unity.
Achievements and Importance
Muslim Gains
1. Separate Electorate: A significant achievement for
Muslims.
2. Central Legislature: One-third representation for Muslims.
3. Veto Power: Three-fourths majority requirement for certain
bills.
Montague's Assurances
 On August 20, 1917, Secretary of State Montague promised:
1. Greater Indian association in government.
2. Responsible government.
3. Induction of Indians in commissioned ranks.
Significance of the Pact
 A bright chapter in India's political history.
 Forged harmony between Hindus and Muslims.
 Set a new path towards a prosperous future.
Mixed Reactions and Opposition
Hindu Resentment
 United Provinces' Hindus resented separate electorates.
 All India Hindu Mahasabha expressed similar sentiments.
Muslim Dissent
 "Sir Syed School of Thought" Muslims in Punjab and United
Provinces opposed the pact.
 Bengali Muslims were discontented due to changes in
provincial legislative council dynamics.
Role of Newspapers
 Newspapers like "Al-Bashir," "Al-Mizan," "Zulqurnain,"
"Mashriq," and "Aligarh Institute Gazette" criticized the pact.
Conclusion
The Lucknow Pact of 1916 stands as a milestone in India's political
evolution, symbolizing the cooperation between Hindus and
Muslims for common goals. Quaid-e-Azam's instrumental role in
its creation earned him the title of Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim
Unity. Despite opposition and mixed reactions, the pact
demonstrated the potential for collaboration and set the stage for
India's journey towards self-government.
Lucknow Pact 1916
In 1913, the Quaid-e-Azam’s inclusion in the Muslim League was

a historic event which gave new dimensions to Muslim League’s
struggle.
He was a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity and was widely

respected in Muslim League and the Congress.
He succeeded in persuading both the Congress and the Muslim

League parties to hold their annual sessions in Bombay in 1915.
Both the parties set up Reform Committees for making a scheme

for constitutional changes in consultation with other political
parties.
The atmosphere of Lucknow in 1916, where the Muslim League

and the Congress, for the first time in the history of India, held
their joint sessions, was even more cordial.
The scheme for constitutional reforms prepared by the Reform

Committees of Congress and Muslim League, in which the Quaid-
e-Azam played a major role, was placed before the joint session for
approval.
Finally, the scheme was approved and an agreement on the

scheme of constitutional reforms was reached between Congress
and Muslim League known as Lucknow Pact.
It was decided that both Congress and Muslim League would

submit the jointly approved scheme to the Government for its
introduction after the war in order to introduce self-Government in
India.
Main Recommendations
Following were the main recommendations of the pact:
1. One Third seats for Muslims in the Imperial Legislative Council.

2. Separate Electorate
3. Half members of the Executive Council should be Indian to be
elected by the Imperial Legislative Council.
4. Commissioned ranks of the army for Indians.
5. Expansion of Provincial Legislative Councils.
6. Half members of the Governor’s Executive Council should be
Indians to be elected by the elected members of the Legislative
Council.
7. Weightage to minorities in provinces.
8. Unofficial bill, if opposed by three-fourth members of a
community, it will not be passed.
Role of the Quaid-e-Azam
Jinnah was the principal architect of the Lucknow Pact and was
hailed as an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. He presided over
the League session at Lucknow in December 1916. Jinnah said,
“To the Hindus our attitude should be of good-will and brotherly

feelings. Co-operation in the cause of our motherland should be
our guiding principle. India’s real progress can only be achieved
by a true understanding and harmonious relations between the
two great sister communities. With regard to our own affairs, we
can depend upon nobody but ourselves”
Gains from Muslim Point-of-view
1. Separate Electorate
2. One Third Muslim seats in Central Legislature.
3. Unofficial bill, if opposed by three-fourth members of a
community, it will not be passed.
Achievements of Lucknow Pact.
On August 20, 1917 the Secretary of State Montague promised for:
1. Greater association of Indian in all branches of government.

2. Responsible government
3. Induction of Indians in the commissioned ranks.
Importance of Lucknow Pact
The Lucknow Pact was a bright chapter in the dark and gloomy
environs of the Indian political history marred with communal
strife and narrow-mindedness.
It was a political agreement which set in a new path leading

towards a happy and prosperous future. The Lucknow pact created
political homogeneity between the two separate political entities,
Hindus and Muslims, who frankly and fairly admitted each others
interests with sincerity.
The credit for creating this harmonious situation undoubtedly went

to the unflinching and untiring efforts of the Quaid-e-Azam who
was conferred with a proud title of Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim
Unity by the famous poet politician Mrs. Sarojni Naidu.
The historical struggle of the Muslims confirmed their identity.

They organized their political party to address the demands. They
also got recognition by the Hindus as a separate nation. The British
accepted their role in the political domain.
Reaction of the Hindus and the Muslims
The Hindus of the United Provinces expressed their resentment

because it granted separate electorates to the Muslims of India. All
India Hindu Mahasbaha also did the same.
Muslims belonging to the “Sir Syed School of Thought” in the

Punjab and United Provinces went against the Lucknow Pact.
Sir Muhammad Shafi led this group. In retaliation, Sir Muhammad

Shaft’s Punjab Muslim League was disaffiliated from the Central
Muslim League and the Muslim League under Sir Fazal Hussain
was recognized.
The Bengali Muslims also disapproved the Lucknow Pact because

their majority was changed into minority in the Provincial
Legislative Council.
Newspaper of Aligarh i.e., “Al-Bashir”, “Al-Mizan”,

“Zulqurnain”, “Mashriq” and “Aligarh Institute Gazette” were
against the Lucknow Pact.

Pre Lucknow Pact 1916

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Pre Lucknow Pact 1916

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The Lucknow Pact of 1916: Hindu-Muslim Unity

and Political Accommodation

Background and Quaid-e-Azam's Role

Historic Inclusion of Quaid-e-Azam

In 1913, the Quaid-e-Azam’s inclusion in the Muslim League was

He was a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity and was widely

He succeeded in persuading both the Congress and the Muslim

Both the parties set up Reform Committees for making a scheme

The atmosphere of Lucknow in 1916, where the Muslim League

The scheme for constitutional reforms prepared by the Reform

Finally, the scheme was approved and an agreement on the

It was decided that both Congress and Muslim League would

Following were the main recommendations of the pact:

1. One Third seats for Muslims in the Imperial Legislative Council.

Role of the Quaid-e-Azam

“To the Hindus our attitude should be of good-will and brotherly

Achievements of Lucknow Pact.

On August 20, 1917 the Secretary of State Montague promised for:

1. Greater association of Indian in all branches of government.

Importance of Lucknow Pact

It was a political agreement which set in a new path leading

The credit for creating this harmonious situation undoubtedly went

The historical struggle of the Muslims confirmed their identity.

The Hindus of the United Provinces expressed their resentment

Muslims belonging to the “Sir Syed School of Thought” in the

Sir Muhammad Shafi led this group. In retaliation, Sir Muhammad

The Bengali Muslims also disapproved the Lucknow Pact because

Newspaper of Aligarh i.e., “Al-Bashir”, “Al-Mizan”,

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