First World War
In 1914, the First World War began, and the British sent many Indian soldiers to fight in it. Although India was not involved in the war, its leaders demanded freedom in recognition of the sacrifice of Indian soldiers. However, the British did not agree, and as a result, Indian leaders started to agitate for home rule.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak established the Home Rule League in 1916. Yet another Home Rule League was formed by Annie Besant. These two leaders cooperated with each other and demanded self-rule. This became a popular movement. It was around this time that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. With this, a new era of the Indian freedom struggle started.