Home > Indian History > History of India > Lucknow Pact
Lucknow Pact
Lucknow Pact, 1916 was an agreement that took place between two major Indian parties: Congress and Muslim League.

Share this Article:

Muhammad Ali JinnahLucknow Pact is an agreement that took place between Indian National Congress and Muslim League in 1916. The Congress and the League held their annual sessions simultaneously in Lucknow. The falling out of the Congress and differences of views between the extremists and the moderates was posing a problem within the committee. An agreement was reached between the Congress and the League in regard to the representation of Muslims in the various legislative councils. It was embodied in the scheme of reforms prepared by the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League. It provided for the representation of Muslims through separate electorates.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a member of the Muslim League negotiated with the Indian National Congress to reach an agreement in order to pressurise the British Government to have a more liberal approach towards India. They were of the opinion that the Indians should get more authority to run their country. However, it was a policy for the Muslim League as it was established to preserve Muslim interests in India.

The Lucknow Pact also manifested the establishment of cordial relations between the two prominent groups of the Indian National Congress: the extremists led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and the moderates led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale. The Imperial Legislative Council was of the provision that one-third of the Indian elected members should be Muslims elected by separate Muslim electorates in the several provinces in the proportion, in which they were represented in the provincial legislative councils by separate electorates. This was subjected to two conditions such as: no Muslim should participate in any of the other elections to the Imperial or provincial legislative councils, except those by electorates representing special interests like landholders, universities, and that no bill, nor any clause thereof, nor a resolution introduced by a non-official member affecting one or the other community should be proceeded with if it were opposed by three-fourths of the members of that community in the particular council, Imperial or provincial.

The main clauses of the Lucknow Pact were:

•There shall be self-government in India.
•Muslims should be given one-third representation in the central government.
•There should be separate electorates for all the communities until a community demanded for joint electorates.
•System of weightage should be adopted.
•The number of the members of Central Legislative Council should be increased to 150.
•At the provincial level, four-fifth of the members of the Legislative Councils should be elected and one-fifth should be nominated.
•The strength of Provincial legislative should not be less than 125 in the major provinces and from 50 to 75 in the minor provinces.
•All members, except those nominated, were to be elected directly on the basis of adult franchise.
•No bill concerning a community should be passed if the bill is opposed by three-fourth of the members of that community in the Legislative Council.
•Term of the Legislative Council should be five years.
•Members of Legislative Council should themselves elect their president.
•Half of the members of Imperial Legislative Council should be Indians.
•Indian Council must be abolished.
•The salaries of the Secretary of State for Indian Affairs should be paid by the British Government and not from Indian funds.
•Out of two Under Secretaries, one should be Indian.
•The Executive should be separated from the Judiciary.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.