Morley-Minto Reforms 1909 (6) Flashcards
Who were John Morley and Lord Minto and what were their aims in the reforms?
John Morley became the Secretary of State for India after the Liberal victory in 1905. Considered the driving force, proposing radical reforms and regarded them as a significant step towards colonial self-government.
Lord Minto was the Viceroy of India and moderate of the two, he saw the reforms as a defensive action.
What were the reforms - later enshrined in the Indian Councils Act of 1909?
60 Indian representatives were to be elected to serve on the Viceroy’s Executive Council; 27 to be elected from territorial constituencies and special interest groups. However officials remained in the majority.
Provincial councils were to be enlarged to create non-official majorities.
Separate electorates were provided for Muslims and Hindus in order to allow the minority Muslims to have a voice in the various councils.
What further things did Morley and Minto do?
Morley appointed two Indians to his London-based group of advisers and in response to Morley’s urges to act similarly, Minto appointed Satyendra Sinha, the advocate-general of Bengal to be his law member.
What was the impact of the reforms?
Indians were involved in policy making in India and Britain (due to Morley’s nominations) and gave them a legitimate voice.
How were the reforms criticised?
Didn’t give Indians real influence in administration
Established communalism in Indian politics - treating different religious groups as different political groups - therefore dividing Hindus and Muslims
Very few Indians could vote, it was restricted to the wealthy and privileged, who were likely to continue to support British rule.
How did the ‘extremists’ react?
The extremists were those who wanted full Indian self-government, so they were thoroughly angered at being left isolated and ordinary Indians still being under-represented in government..
How did the administrators react?
Many were disappointed, as their power was diluted, since they were no longer in the majority on provincial councils and had to contend with a substantial Indian minority on the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Administrators thought that due to divisions such as caste, faction and religion, Indian people couldn’t govern India impartially.
How did Congress react?
The Hindu dominated Congress generally supported the reforms, but bitterly regretted that electoral procedures aimed to achieve a balance of minority interests. Muslims interests were protected by creating a separate electorate for them and imposing lower property and educational qualifications for Muslim voters than for Hindus - Congress would have had it otherwise.
Also objected to communalism, which it believed would divide India
