In December 1916 in Lucknow, the Lucknow Pact was signed between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All‑India Muslim League (AIML). They joined to demand greater Indian self-government from British rule and to secure Muslim representation. The pact arose from shared constitutional demands and communal concerns.

 BulletsIn

• First major alliance of INC and AIML pressing British for political reform and minority safeguards.

• Agreed to demand larger elected representation in provincial and central legislatures.

• Muslims granted separate electorates and weightage in representation beyond their population share in most provinces.

• Suggested that at least half of the Executive Council members be Indians and legislative councils have elected majorities.

• Term for legislative councils fixed at five years; British to pay salaries of Secretary of State from British treasury, not Indian funds.

• Seen as the high-point of Hindu-Muslim cooperation in pre-Independence India.

• Laid groundwork for later mass movements e.g., the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements.

• Also formalised communal politics by recognising distinct electorates, which later contributed to division lines in India.

• Agreement achieved via joint annual sessions: INC adopted December 29, AIML December