Question

The Home Rule Movement was aimed at _______.
a. Complete independence for India
b. Complete autonomy to India
c. Self-government for India within the British commonwealth
d. Larger participation of Indians in India’s administration.

Answer 1

Hint: The Home Rule started during World War I in April 1916 and lasted till 1918. It was during the independence movement when the home rule movement was staged under the leadership of Indian Nationalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak and British Socialist Annie Besant.

Complete answer:
Bal Gangadhar Tilak founded the Home Rule League at the Bombay Provincial Congress at Belgaum in April 1916 and Annie Besant founded the second league at Adyar Madras in September 1916.
Both the leagues had a common objective of attaining self-government in India. The leagues worked separately in different parts of the country.
The Home Rule Movement attracted a lot of nationalists and people including participation from the All India Muslim League and The Indian National Congress. The movement spread political awareness among the public and created a stir within the country.
So, now let’s look at the options.
Option (a) Complete independence for India is an incorrect option as it was passed as ‘Poorna Swaraj’ in 1929 at the Indian Congress Session held at Lahore.
Option (b) Complete Autonomy to India is an incorrect option because it led to formation of the Government of India Act, 1935.
Option (c) Self-government for India within British commonwealth is the correct option as the Home Rule Movement led to the August Declaration which said that there would be more participation of Indians in the government ultimately leading to formation of responsible governments in India.
Option (d) Larger participation of Indians in India’s administration was a means through which the objective of self-governance was to be realised. Thus, it is an incorrect option.
Hence, option ‘c. Self-government for India within the British commonwealth’ is correct.

Note: Though this movement was able to achieve its objective, it couldn’t be a mass movement. The Home Rule Leagues later merged with the Indian National Congress in 1920.