On August 20, 1917, the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Samuel Montagu, made a statement in the British House of Commons known as the August Declaration of 1917. According to the August Declaration of 1917, control over the Indian government would be gradually transferred to the Indian people, and a responsible government would be gradually established. This declaration also stated unequivocally that India would remain an integral part of British India. In this article, we will discuss the objectives and outcomes of the August Declaration which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

August Declaration – Background

• The First World War, the rapid growth of revolutionary activities, and the popularity of the Home Rule Movement all had an impact on the British Government, which decided to change its policies and adopt a more conciliatory attitude toward Indian nationalist demands.
• During a debate in the House of Commons on July 12, 1917, Edwin Montagu delivered a scathing indictment of the entire system by which India was governed.
• He also supported India's claim to have a greater say in how their government is run.
• Montagu was appointed Secretary of State of India shortly after.
• He sympathized with the aspirations of the Indian people and can thus be compared to people such as Lord Pethick Lawrence and Sir Stafford Cripps.
• He brought a fresh perspective to his workplace.
• On August 20, 1917, when the Allies' fortunes were at their lowest ebb, he declared,
  • "The government policy is of increasing participation of Indians in every branch of administration and gradual development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realization of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire."

August Declaration – Objectives

• Giving more representation to Indian natives in order to meet local demands. To achieve this goal, the country would implement new reforms.
• Control of the Indian government would be gradually transferred to the Indian people. This was the result of the Lucknow Pact's Hindu-Muslim unity.
• Increased Indian participation in administration and the development of self-governing institutions in India.

August Declaration – Outcome

• Nationalists' demand for self-government or home rule could no longer be considered seditious because achieving self-government for Indians had now become a government policy, in contrast to Morley's statement in 1909 that the reforms were not intended to give India self-government.
• Also implied in the use of the term "responsible government" was the requirement that rulers be answerable to elected representatives rather than just the imperial government in London.
• It was also clear that the British had no intention of ceding power to predominantly elected legislatures with an Indian majority.
• So, in order to make the executive more accountable to the elected assemblies, whose size and proportion of elected members were going to be increased in any case, the concept of 'dyarchy' was to be developed.

India’s Objection to August Declaration

• It was criticized by nationalists because it fell short of their legitimate expectations.
• The declaration was criticized during the December 1917 Calcutta session, which was presided over by Annie Besant, who pleaded for the establishment of self-government in India.
• Tilak called the Montague reforms "unworthy and disappointing - a sunless dawn."
• Annie Besant described it as "unworthy of England to offer and India to accept."
• No time frame was specified.
• The government alone was to decide the nature and timing of the transition to a responsible government, and Indians were resentful that the British would decide what was good and bad for Indians.

Conclusion

The declaration's significance stems from the fact that it began in categorical terms as to what the British Government's goal in India would be. It is on the same level as the Queen's Proclamation of 1858. While it is seen as "the most momentous utterance ever made in India's chequered history," it also marked "the end of one epoch and the beginning of a new one."

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the primary promise made in the August Declaration of 1917?

A) Complete independence for India
B) Gradual development of self-governing institutions
C) Immediate dominion status for India
D) Direct rule by the British Crown

2. Who was the Secretary of State for India when the August Declaration was made?

A) Lord Chelmsford
B) Lord Curzon
C) Edwin Montagu
D) Lord Ripon

3. Which movement was gaining momentum in India around the time of the August Declaration?

A) Quit India Movement
B) Swadeshi Movement
C) Non-Cooperation Movement
D) Home Rule Movement

4. Which constitutional reform followed the August Declaration of 1917?

A) Government of India Act, 1935
B) Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
C) Morley-Minto Reforms
D) Indian Independence Act, 1947

5. What was the reaction of the extremists in the Indian National Congress to the August Declaration?

A) They welcomed it as a significant achievement
B) They were indifferent to the declaration
C) They were critical of its vagueness
D) They saw it as a victory for the British

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the August Declaration of 1917 in the context of India’s struggle for self-governance.

Answer: The August Declaration of 1917 was a turning point in India’s struggle for self-governance. It marked the first formal statement by the British government promising the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India, with the eventual goal of Dominion Status. The declaration was issued in response to the growing nationalist demands for greater political representation, especially in the context of the Home Rule Movement. Though the declaration did not fully satisfy the aspirations of Indian leaders, it set the stage for the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act of 1919, which provided for limited Indian representation in governance. The declaration represented a shift in British policy from direct control to gradual political reform.

Q2: Analyze the impact of the August Declaration on subsequent constitutional reforms in India.

Answer: The August Declaration laid the foundation for subsequent constitutional reforms in India by acknowledging the need for greater Indian participation in governance. It led directly to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act of 1919, which introduced dyarchy in the provinces. Under dyarchy, certain subjects were transferred to Indian ministers, marking the first step toward decentralization of power. The declaration also influenced later constitutional reforms, such as the Government of India Act, 1935, which expanded Indian participation in the central and provincial legislatures. Although gradual, these reforms were crucial in shaping India's constitutional framework and the eventual transfer of power.

Q3: Evaluate the role of the August Declaration in shaping Indian political consciousness during the early 20th century.

Answer: The August Declaration played a significant role in shaping Indian political consciousness by providing a formal acknowledgment of India’s right to self-governance. It was a response to the rising political activism of the Home Rule Movement and the growing demands for Indian participation in governance. The declaration’s promise of gradual self-government inspired moderate leaders in the Indian National Congress, while more radical elements remained skeptical. The declaration also highlighted the changing dynamics of British-Indian relations, as the British government recognized the need to make concessions to maintain Indian loyalty during World War I. It contributed to a heightened sense of political awareness among Indians, influencing later movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Previous Year Questions on August Declaration

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were a result of which of the following declarations?
A) The Simon Commission Report
B) The August Declaration of 1917
C) The Cripps Mission
D) The Nehru Report

Answer: B

Explanation: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were introduced as a result of the August Declaration of 1917, which promised the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: How did the August Declaration of 1917 influence the course of the Indian national movement?

Answer: The August Declaration of 1917 influenced the course of the Indian national movement by promising the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India. It was the first formal recognition of India’s right to self-rule, though the timeline and scope of the reforms were vague. The declaration led to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act of 1919, which expanded Indian participation in governance. While moderate leaders saw it as a step forward, more radical nationalists were dissatisfied, leading to continued agitation for complete independence. The declaration thus played a key role in shaping the subsequent political strategies of the Indian National Congress.