In 1916, the California Chapter of the Hindustan Association of America held a banquet in honor of Lala Lajpat Rai. While in voluntary exile, Rai lectured widely in the United States and founded the India Home Rule League of America. Similarly, Rev. John Haynes Holmes, known for his great admiration of Mahatma Gandhi, introduced the Indian leader’s non-violent resistance campaign to Americans who championed the cause.