Montagu-August Declaration

Introduction

On 20 August 1917, then Secretary of State for India Edwin Montagu declared the British policy of progressively building self-governing institutions and greater Indian involvement in administration in the Montagu-August Declaration of 20 August 1917. It had the intention of appeasing Indian nationalists during World War I and was intended to be a gradual achievement of responsible government, but had no particular timeline.

Context and Background (1917)

The declaration was a strategic response to several pressures:

• World War I (1914-1918): India gave a lot of contribution both in terms of men and money. The British had to offer reforms to gain the cooperation of the country even further.
• Rise of Nationalism: The 1916 Lucknow Pact, between the Congress and Muslim league and Home Rule movement (led by Annie Besant and Tilak) put demand on self-rule (Swaraj) in the limelight.
• Administrative Failure: The British rule in India was highly criticized on its mismanagement, hence, there was a need to have a new path.

Key Features of the Declaration

According to the declaration, the policy of the British Government was:

1. Growing Association of Indians: More Indians participation in all arms of the government.
2. Development of Self-Governing Institutions: Withdraw gradual development of self-government institutions.
3. Gradual Implementation of Accountable Government: The ultimate aim was to hold the government answerable to the elected officials.
4. Principles in British Empire: It was made clear that the reforms would be done as long as India was a part of the British Empire.

Significance of the Declaration

• End of “Benevolent Despotism”:  It officially transformed the policy of the complete colonial control by the state into the promise of self-government, and the requirement of self-government was no longer considered seditious.
• Realization of Indian Ambitions: It is the first time that one of the British ministers realized Indian call of responsibility.
• Reform Foundations It resulted in the release of Montagu-Chelmsford Report in 1918 and later Government of India Act 1919.

Indian Response and Critiques

• Moderate Welcome: The Moderates in Congress saw in it the Magna Carta of Indian freedoms.
• Radical Rejection: The ambiguity of the language used (gradual) and the lack of time frame drew many reproaches by nationalists.
• Annie Besant opinion: she termed the intended reforms as unworthy of being proffered by England and not worthy of being accepted by India.
• Lack of Control: The declaration failed to guarantee an immediate shift of power and the departmental heads remained under the British control.

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