Montagu’s Statement of August 1917
Modern History › Revolutionary Activities and the First World War · Topic 15.8
On 20 August 1917 Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, declared in the House of Commons that British policy was increasing participation of Indians in every branch of administration and gradual development of self-governing institutions, with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government as an integral part of the Empire. It made self-government a government policy, but without a time frame.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Revolutionary Activities and the First World War
At a Glance
- What it is Official statement of British policy in India, 20 August 1917
- By Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State for India
- Key phrase Progressive realisation of responsible government
- Objections No time frame; the British alone to decide the pace
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Revolutionary Activities and the First World War
Where Does It Fit?
This is the eighth and last topic of the category on revolutionary activities and the First World War. The previous topic covered the Lucknow session and Pact, which prompted this statement. This topic describes the August Declaration. The next category begins with the nationalist resurgence after the war. Previous topic: Lucknow Session of 1916 and the Lucknow Pact.
What Did Montagu Declare?
The Secretary of State for India, Edwin Samuel Montagu, made a statement on 20 August 1917 in the British House of Commons, known as the August Declaration of 1917. It said that the government’s policy was of increasing participation of Indians in every branch of administration and gradual development of self-governing institutions, with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date and place | 20 August 1917; House of Commons |
| Speaker | Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State for India |
| Policy | Increasing participation of Indians in every branch of administration |
| Method | Gradual development of self-governing institutions |
| Goal | Progressive realisation of responsible government as an integral part of the Empire |
Why Was the Statement Important?
From then on the demand of nationalists for self-government or home rule could not be called seditious, since the attainment of self-government by Indians had become government policy. This was unlike Morley’s statement in 1909 that the reforms were not intended to give self-government to India, as told in Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909, and the Formation of the Muslim League. The use of the term responsible government also implied that the rulers were to be answerable to elected representatives and not only to the imperial government in London.
The chapter notes that the Home Rule agitation and the Montford reforms were connected, and that the government made the declaration in part to placate nationalists after the reunion at Lucknow. These links are in Home Rule League Movement and Lucknow Session of 1916 and the Lucknow Pact.
What Was the Catch?
It was equally clear that the British had no intention of handing over power to predominantly elected legislatures with an Indian majority. So, in order that the executive be made responsible in some measure to the elected assemblies, whose size and share of elected members were going to be increased in any case, the concept of dyarchy was to be evolved.
What Were the Indian Objections?
The Indian leaders’ objections to Montagu’s statement were twofold.
| Objection | Detail |
|---|---|
| No time frame | No specific time frame for responsible government was given |
| British to decide | The government alone was to decide the nature and timing of the advance towards responsible government, and Indians resented that the British would decide what was good and bad for them |
The Moderates who joined the Home Rule League were, however, pacified by the statement, as the chapter notes in explaining why the league faded.
As an analytical point, the declaration changed the terms of the argument without changing the power structure. It conceded the goal, which meant that Indians could demand self-government openly, while keeping the timing and the pace in British hands, which meant that disappointment was likely once the actual reforms, which became known from July 1918, fell short. That tension is the background to the nationalist resurgence after the war, treated in Why Nationalist Resurgence After the First World War.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Key policy statement The August Declaration is a stock Prelims fact
- Contrast with 1909 The change from Morley’s position is a Mains point
- Link to dyarchy It leads to the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms
What Came Next?
The next category begins with the nationalist resurgence after the First World War. Next topic: Why Nationalist Resurgence After the First World War.
Key People and Terms
- August Declaration Montagu’s statement of 20 August 1917
- Responsible government Government answerable to elected representatives
- Dyarchy A system of dual government through which the executive was made partly responsible
- Montford reforms The reforms based on the Montagu-Chelmsford report, known from July 1918
- Seditious Tending to incite rebellion; self-government demands ceased to be so
- Secretary of State for India The cabinet member in charge of India
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- 20 August 1917, House of Commons, Edwin Montagu.
- Goal: progressive realisation of responsible government.
- Self-government became government policy; demand no longer seditious.
- Implied concept: dyarchy.
- Objections: no time frame; British to decide.
Do Not Confuse With
- Montagu 1917 and Morley 1909 Montagu: self-government as goal; Morley: reforms not meant to give self-government
- August Declaration and Montford reforms The Declaration is the statement; the reforms followed from 1918
- Responsible government and self-governing institutions Institutions develop gradually to realise responsible government
Memory Hook
Montagu named the goal; the British kept the clock.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the importance and limits of the August Declaration. These points add depth.
- Policy shift Self-government as a declared aim
- Limit No time frame and British control of pace
- Dyarchy Partial responsibility within limits
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“What was the significance of Montagu’s statement of August 1917, and what were the Indian objections to it?”
How to Answer
- Statement Wording and date.
- Significance Self-government as policy.
- Limits Dyarchy; no timetable.
- Conclude Reaction among nationalists.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Montagu's statement of August 1917?
On 20 August 1917 Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, told the House of Commons that British policy was increasing Indian participation in every branch of administration and gradual development of self-governing institutions, towards progressive realisation of responsible government within the Empire.
Why was the August Declaration of 1917 important?
It made self-government for Indians a stated government policy, so the nationalist demand for home rule could no longer be called seditious. It differed from Morley's 1909 position, and the term responsible government implied that rulers would answer to elected representatives.
What were the Indian objections to Montagu's statement?
Indian leaders objected that no specific time frame was given and that the government alone would decide the nature and timing of the advance towards responsible government, so the British would decide what was good for Indians.
What did the Declaration imply about dyarchy?
The British did not mean to hand power to elected legislatures with an Indian majority, so to make the executive partly responsible to the growing elected assemblies, the concept of dyarchy was to be evolved.
How was the August Declaration linked to the Home Rule agitation?
The chapter says the Home Rule agitation influenced the August Declaration and the Montford reforms. The statement also pacified Moderates who had joined the Home Rule League after Besant's arrest, which contributed to the league's decline.
When did the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms become known?
The Montagu-Chelmsford reforms, which followed the August Declaration, became known in July 1918. They divided the nationalist ranks, and Annie Besant vacillated in her response to them and to passive resistance, which weakened the Home Rule League.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Montagu's statement was made on 20 August 1917.
It was made in the House of Commons.
2 After the August Declaration the demand for self-government could not be called seditious.
Self-government became government policy.
3 Montagu's statement fixed a specific time frame for responsible government.
The lack of a time frame was an Indian objection.
4 Montagu's statement was made by Lord Morley.
Edwin Montagu made it; Morley made the 1909 statement.
5 The concept of dyarchy was linked to the Montagu statement.
It was to be evolved to make the executive partly responsible.
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