In the month of July, 1915 Lalaji went to Japan. He always wished to see Japan, the most developed country among Asian nations, the envy of white men even. Japan could be an inspiration for other Asian countries. And Lalaji wanted to know the secret of its success. He was dazzled at the scientific progress of that country. Cleanliness was the order of the life.
During August 1914 the Word War had broken out in Europe between Germany and Austria. France was on Austria’s side. The British government declared its support to France. The war had spread.
The British government didn’t allow Lala Lajpat Rai to return to India. So, he had to go back to USA from Japan.
During his stay in Japan, he met the famous revolutionary Ras Bihari Bose. His articles were printed in several Japanese newspapers. Lalaji delivered lectures in some universities as well. He also met the prime minister of Japan.
Back in New York, he wrote a book named ‘Young India’ which was published by a New York publisher in August, 1916.
Lala Lajpat Rai founded ‘Home Rule League’ in U.S.A. with the help of several people. The organisation started publishing ‘Young India’ magazine from January 1917.
He went to London in the end of 1919 and returned to India on 20th February 1920.
Meanwhile, during his years abroad a lot of things had happened in India which had changed situations in India for Lalaji to readjust himself.
In September, 1916 ‘India Home Rule League’ had been set up by Annie Beasant. She was put under house arrest in 1917 by Madras government for her political activities. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Beasant were spreading ‘Home Rule’ movement. Her arrest made the movement fiercer. Tilak threatened to launch ‘Satyagraha’ against her arrest which resulted in her release. She presided over the Congress session held the same year at Calcutta. Later she quit Congress due to some differences with other leaders over Non-cooperation Movement.
On 20th August, 1917 India Secretary, Montague announced ‘Administrative Reforms’ in India according to which Indians were promised increased participation in administration and representations in local governments as a step towards selfrule by Indians. It ended the ‘Home Rule’ movement. The relations between Hindu and Muslim communities became friendly and cooperative.
During 1915 nationalist leaders were with Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the president of Muslim League. Muslim League session was attended by prominent Congress leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Malviya and Sarojini Naidu. Mr. Jinnah proposed reforms on political front by cooperation between Congress and League. It resulted into Lucknow Agreement which envisaged communal representation.
In the I World War India had cooperated with Britain. The British promise of Self rule was announced in the from of Montague Declaration. But after the war, the British went back on their promise and Montague Declaration proved a fraudulent trick.
The relations soured between the British and Indian leaders. The people were enraged at this treachery by the British. Militants became very active. To suppress the Indians British government passed ‘Rawlett Act’ which gave Draconian powers to police. The country exploded in anger. Unrest spread. Cities, towns and villages held rallies, demonstrations, marches and protest meetings against the black law. The authorities retaliated with brute force.
The most macabre example was Jalianwala Bagh massacre by General O’ Dyer in which hundreds of men, women and children were gunned down to death or maimed. It shocked the entire world.
Lala Lajpat Rai was then in America.
It aggravated the political situation in India. Militants and revolutionaries were hitting back at the British.
To control the damage Indian government was trying to win over Congress. Lord Harding was making friendly overtures. The division of Bengal had been annulled. The hotliners in the Congress had lost favour. The party was completely in the control of softliners led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who had emerged as a leading political figure on Indian freedom struggle scene.
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