Section 2 Notes, New
Section 2 Notes, New
Section 2 Notes, New
PARTITION OF BENGAL
PARTITION PLAN
The Viceroy Lord Curzon proposed to partition Bengal in 1903 but it was
implemented in 1905.
Three areas Dhaka, Chittagong, and Myemnsingh were separated and merged
with Assam to create a new province called East Bengal, which was Muslim
majority area
Due to this partition Hindus and Muslims were divided along communal lines.
It was done because Bengal was considered as the most densely populated
province in the British India & about 85 Million people were living in that
part.
There were many administrative problems for the British government and it
was difficult to control as well.
Bengal was of the size of France and it was difficult for the British rulers to
control such a huge land.
British fear that they would lose their control over India.
They wanted to give more relaxations & power to the Muslims due to the role
played by the reformers like Sir Syed to remove misunderstandings between
the Muslims & the British.
They had realized that Muslims were victimized after war of 1857 so they
should be given advance in this new province.
The Hindus were in majority in West Bengal i.e. 42 million while the muslims
were only 12 million.
The muslims were in majority in East Bengal i.e. 18 million while the hindus
were only 12 million.
British thought that muslims were in majority in new province so it would be
able for muslims to prosper and dominate in different sectors which will help
to improve relations between muslims and british.
They wanted to break the power of the Hindus in many parts of India &
Bengal was its perfect example that they followed the policy of divide & rule
in those areas.
In United Bengal, hindus dominated and exploited muslims and kept them as
a deprived section of a society.
The area of Bengal could easily be controlled by the Hindu extremists, so
british had a fear of losing control on such a vast province.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
The Hindus believed that the partition would come about as part of the
British ‘divide and rule’ policy which would weaken Hindu unity and its
influence in the new East Bengal.
RESULTS OF PARTITION
Muslims expressed complete satisfaction over this partition, Now they can
send their representatives in the assembly. The number of primary and high
schools increased. The number of muslim students were also increased. New
steam service of railway was also started in East Bengal.
Muslims of India realized that they could not more live with the hindus, and
they should organize themselves to have their own political party to
safeguard their political rights and interests.
Muslims of india had organized to put forward their demands against the
british government for approval through SIMLA DEPUTATION.
Hindus made a huge large cry as they were not happy. They lost their
monopoly over muslims in every aspect. They felt it great threat to their
domination.
Moderate and liberal Hindus protested through constitutional methods,
passed resolutions, sent petitions to the government and to the Secretary of
State, wrote in print media, met with English politicians in India and
conveyed them Indian grievances.
Hindus kept fast on the day of partition as symbolic hunger strike, wore
threads on their arms to convey message of solidarity and unity.
Protests, strikes, demonstration with banners in hands, marches, public
speeches.
Swadeshi movement launched encouraging the use of home made goods,
boycott of british goods.
Hindu militant groups emerged launching attacks on British officials.
Strong agitation and protest forced the British to reverse the partition of
Bengal.
In 1911. King George V reversed the partition in Delhi Durbar.
Newspapers and public meetings had restrictions placed upon them. Editors
of newspapers and journalists who made reports against british were either
prosecuted or imprisoned.
The Press Act of 1908 placed further restrictions on newspapers and gave
the government greater control over them which means main control of press
was in hands of british.
One organiser of Hindu-led demonstrations, Tilak of Poona was sentenced to
6 years imprisonment. Others were deported or left the country of their
own accord rather than face imprisonment.
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Another approach intended to win support of the more moderate Hindus by
making reforms. Lord Minto the Viceroy worked with John Morley, the
Secretary of State for India, on reforms that became the Morley Minto
reforms in 1909.
WHY PARTITION WAS REVERSED?
PROTEST, STRIKES, RALLIES
The Hindus’ objection to Partition was so great that it caused the British to
reconsider it.
Congress opposed it by holding meetings and there were mass rallies which
put pressure on the British government.
They thought it was a deliberate attempt to ‘divide and rule’ on the part of
the British. In many areas of India, they started strikes, protests and
marches.
There was also an outbreak of terrorist activities and the Hindus closed
Calcutta for few days.
SWADESHI MOVEMENT
The Hindus did not like British policies as well as their products so they
started their boycott of British goods under the Swadeshi Movement.
They prepared their own hand make Khaddar to wear and as a result of this
the British face net loss in the sale of British Silk.
British cotton was thrown in fire & local cotton became a matter of honour.
Swadeshi movement gave economic damage to british government.
The Hindus were so angry that they attempted to assassinate Lord Minto
because he was the future viceroy of India and Lord Curzon, originator of
the idea, was no longer viceroy so a change of policy was easier.
So they tried their best to convince the British to reverse the partition of
Bengal.
SIMLA DEPUTATION
WHY MUSLIMS TOOK DELEGATION TO SIMLA?
ROLE OF CONGRESS
PARTITION OF BENGAL
SIMLA DELEGATION
In 1905 the Liberals won the elections in Britain and announced to give more
representation to the local people in the govt. of India through elections.
John Morley wanted to Muslim support due to their improved relations.
In October 1906, british government announced that the constitutional
reform was due in India in 1909 and new legislative council will have more
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Indian representation. This created political unrest among muslims as they
were in minority.
Lord Minto became Viceroy of India in 1905 and he was enjoying his
vacations at Simla where a delegation of 35 Muslim Leaders led by Sir Agha
Khan met him in 1906. Other prominent leaders were NawabMohsin-ul-Mulk,
Nawab-Wiqar-ul-mulk and nawab Sir Salimullah.
It was known that he would introduce some new reforms in India.
The deputation demanded:
• Muslim seats in the legislatures more than their population.
• They wanted to have more representation in army & quota (specific
seats) in government jobs. The seats in the courts for the Muslims.
• The main demand was separate electorate for the Muslims (It means
that the Hindus would vote for Hindu candidate & Muslims for Muslim
candidate) because at that time any seat might cause a dispute and the
Muslims were in minority.
Lord Minto gave a patient hearting to the muslim demands but did not gave
any assurance regarding the acceptance of demands but he was pretty
sympathetic to separate electorates and it was a great success for the
Muslims.
Lord Minto sent these reforms to Lord Morley who accepted the demands of
separate electorates.
In response of Simla deputation the Congress also sent its delegation
represented by Feroz Shah Mehta, who totally rejected the proposals
extended by the Muslims & due to this the Hindu-Muslim hostility increased.
Muslim rights would not be advanced if they continued to rely on the Indian
National Congress.
It was seen as an organization which would only advance Hindu views.
The Congress was demanding that India should be treated as a cultural whole
(Democratic) and Hindi should be declared the official language.
Sir Syed also also warned muslims not to become congress member as Sir
Syed knew that it was a hindu dominated party and which will only safeguard
the rights of hindus.
INC rejected the partition of Bengal.
Even more worrying was the growth of extreme Hindu nationalist groups like
“Arya Samaj” who demanded that Muslims be forcibly converted to
Hinduism.
Therefore, a number of prominent Muslim leaders founded the Muslim
League to protect the religious rights of the Indian Muslims because the
Muslims were facing problems to practice Islam freely under the Hindu
domination.
The Hindus were beginning to protest against partition of Bengal and the
Muslims saw this as a sign of the influence the Hindus had and they were
worried about their own interests.
So the Muslims wanted to reduce the influence of the Hindus.
The protests, strikes and rallies were giving bad impression to British about
Indians (not hindus only) so Muslims thought that if they will continue with
INC so this will make their relations worse as in war in 1857.
The Muslims also wanted to remove the misunderstandings between the
British and the Muslims so that they could get the advantage of the better
relations of the British in the absence of Sir Syed.
The successes of Simla delegation and partition of Bengal also gave the
Muslims a motivation to start their political party because they were aware
of that again and again groups of people would not have that importance
which was under the Congress platform so they needed a political platform
to counter the problems caused by the Hindus.
Muslims had lagged far behind from the hindus in education and economic
progress.
Educational and economic condition could only be upgraded by establishing a
separate muslim organization that could represent the wishes of the
muslims.
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PARTITION OF BENGAL
FORMATION
In 1906 the 20th annual meeting of the Muslim Educational Conference was
going on at the residence of Nawab Salim Ullah Khan of Decca.
NawabWaqar Ul Mulk presided over the meeting & members of the meeting
stressed on a separate party for the Muslims.
After the meeting Nawab Salim Ullah Khan proposed the formation of a
separate political party for the Muslims and suggested the name of All India
Muslim Confederacy for it.
On 30th December 1906 All India Muslim League was formed in Dhaka.
Nawab Waqar-Ul-Mulk was nominated as the president and Nawab Mohsin-
ulMulk as the General Secretary.
The 1st annual session of AIML was held in 1907 at Karachi under the
chairmanship of Sir Adamjee Pir Bhai and 2nd Session in 1908 in Aligarh, on
this occasion Sir Agha Khan was appointed as the president and Bilgarmi as
the new General Secretary. Its 3rd President was Muhammad Ali Jauhar.
Mian Muhammad Shafi was its 4th while Jinnah became life time President in
1934.
In 1905 Lord Minto as Viceroy replaced Lord Curzon and in 1906 John
Morley was appointed as secretary of state for India.
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They both agreed that the demand of the Indians to have more shares in
the govt. was according to justice.
These reforms were passed by the British Parliament as the Indian Councils
Act (1909).
The main provisions of these reforms were:
• Enlarging of the Imperial Council to 60 members by adding more
nonofficials.
• Enlarging of the Central Executive Council by adding 60 new members.
• Enlarging of Provincial Councils to 50 members in (large provinces) & 30
in (small provinces).
• Members of Central Council were allowed to discuss budget,
administration, official matters & so on.
• The right of separate electorate and separate constituencies for the
Muslims.
• Women were not allowed to vote.
• Indian Legislature could just express their opinions, could not change or
influence decisions.
• Members of executive council were permitted to discuss budget,
administration, official policies and matters of general importance.
REACTION
Congress opposed this reforms. The acceptance of the rights of the Muslims
to have a separate electorate was a remarkable event for the Muslim and
rejected by the Congress. Hindus also resented the relative high position of
Muslims in the Councils despite their much smaller numbers. Hindu-Muslim
relations got strained. Hindus had developed a sense of mistrust, hatred and
policy of non-cooperation towards muslims. Congress and Hindu politicians
demanded to reverse these reforms or to cancel Muslim representation.
Muslims found these reforms favourable for themselves.
Overall both parties criticized these reforms as Indians can advise only.
The British intended that the Indians could voice their opinions in the
Councils but Congress wanted more responsibility, which the government
were not prepared to give.
This annoyed many who were looking towards self-rule.
The Hindus wanted self-rule but they ignored them and gave more power to
the Muslims.
The Hindus were aware of the power of the Muslims after winning the seats
in the future elections so some Hindus also resented the relative high
position of Muslims in the Councils despite their much smaller numbers.
The Hindus did not wish that the Muslims should control even few high posts.
Hindus thought that if they would oppose these reforms so there will be a
chance of reversal.
As partition of Bengal was a negative point for hindus so they tried every
possible way to reverse that partition.
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They found it a very good chance to create a pressure on british by opposing
it which will pressurize british to reverse the partition.
LUCKNOW PACT
WHY LUCKNOW PACT WAS SIGNED?
British government could not grant the power to Hindus according to their
promises till 1914.
This brought INC close to AIML as INC thought that if both parties will
work together so it will be easy to take self-rule from british.
Jinnah always tried his best for the Hindu-Muslim unity & did many efforts
to achieve this target.
It is considered as the biggest effort of Jinnah to bring both the parties
closer to each other.
He was working as a member of both the parties for this reason.
Due to his advice the Muslim League added the demand of self-rule in their
agenda in 1913 when Jinnah joined Muslim League.
He got an opportunity when in 1915 both the Muslim League and Congress
were having their annual meeting in Bombay.
In this situation moderate leaders like Jinnah from Muslim League and
Gokhle from Congress played an important role.
Hindus acknowledged that Muslims had the right to a separate electorate
and was therefore seen as a beacon of hope for the future.
The Muslims and Hindus wanted to work together on constitutional reform.
The Muslim League and the Congress agreed to cooperate to persuade the
British government to accept their demands.
LUCKNOW PACT
Lucknow Pact refers to an agreement between INC and AIML.
In 1916 again both the parties had their annual session in Lucknow & Jinnah
succeeded to bring both the parties closer to each Other.
Muslim League in this Agreement was represented by Jinnah while
AmbekaCharan Mahajan led Congress.
The most important features were:
• Self-Government should be established in India.
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• The Congress accepted the right of separate electorate and the seats
for the Muslims
• The Muslims were also given one-third seats in Central Legislative
Council.
• Both the parties agreed that they would not agree on an act affecting
any community unless three-quarter of the community accepted it.
• Number of elected seats on the councils should be increased & minorities
should be protected.
• Both the parties agreed on the demand that more seats to be given by
the elections as well as provincial autonomy (Power).
• Seats shall be reserved for the muslims in those provinces in which they
are in minority and protection shall be given to Hindus living in majority
provinces.
It was the first time that the Hindus & the Muslims had made a joint
demand for political reforms.
It marked the first acceptance by the Hindus that the degree of partition
would be necessary in any self-governing India.
The Muslims had realized that they need to work with all other parties on
the other hand the Hindus had realize that the Hindu-Muslim problems were
the same & they should work together to drive the British away from India.
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AFTER 10 YEARS REFORMS WERE TO BE INTRODUCED
It was issued because the British govt. was following a policy to introduce
reforms after every 10 years and it had been the time since they introduced
Morley-Minto reforms in 1909.
So they had to announce new reforms according to their policy in 1919.
The British govt. wanted get the favour of the Indians by giving them
relaxation in these reforms.
Because they were thinking that if they would introduce these reforms they
would get the Indian favour by giving them share in the govt. council.
• Reserved subjects (Justice, Police, Revenue, and Power & Press) were to
be controlled by the Governor while Transferred subjects (Local govt.
Education, Health, Public Works & Forests) were controlled by Ministers.
• Separate electorates were also accepted first time for the both the
Muslims and the Sikhs.
• Out of 103 seats in the Imperial Legislative Council 32 seats would be
reserved for the Muslims.
• The Council of State was consisted of 60 members
• A Council of Princess was also setup with 108 members
• The Legislative Council should now be called as the Legislative Assembly
• The British govt. also claimed that they were extending voting rights for
locals.
• The Viceroy was given full power to pass any bill & appoint the provincial
Governors
• The British govt. promised to introduce more constitutional reforms
after 10 years.
RESULTS
The Muslims League and Congress both were hoping much more from the
British govt. but it kept the main powers.
In congress some moderates accepted these & they were dismissed from
Congress while most of them rejected these reforms while Muslims League
could not achieve anything new.
Muslims were given separate electorate so other minorities like Sikhs &
others also demanded the concessions.
Local people of India wanted that the country should be according to their
desire while the power was granted to Viceroy.
ROWLATT ACT
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This act gave the right of arrest to anyone without a warrant, detention
without bail & right of the provincial govt. to order people where to live.
Gandhi and others found that constitutional opposition to the measure were
useless; so on April 6 Hartal was organized where Indians would suspend all
business and fast as a sign of their hatred. This event is known as Rowlatt
Satyagraha.
Due to this act Jinnah resigned from the Imperial Legislative Council &
Gandhi gave a call for Strike against this black law.
Due to the introduction of these reforms there was much dissatisfaction in
the small provinces because they had lost their power.
The British govt. banned all the anti govt. publications, demonstrations due
to violence. In the Punjab there was a great effect of Rowlett Act.
AMRITSAR MASSACRE
April 13 1919
In Amritsar, a meeting was arranged but it was banned by the govt.
The organizers Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus decided to go there.
In that peaceful demonstration nearly 20 thousand people gathered at
Jallianwala Bagh.
The British govt. did not give permission for such gatherings.
A British Officer General Dyer was dealing the situation that ordered the
soldiers to open fire on the civilians.
Around 400 people were killed & 1200 wounded in Jallianwala Bagh Incident.
To investigate this incident HUNTER COMMITTEE was set up in England in
October 1919 after issues ordered by Secretary of State for India, Lord
Montague .
General Dyer was removed from his services but he was not punished for it.
As the Indians had supported the British during WWI they felt that the
British government should reward this by giving them more responsibility in
running their own affairs.
Only 2% people can vote which means out of 250 million only 5 million people
could vote.
Voting is the right and which was taken from the Indians.
KHILAFAT MOVEMENT
WHY WAS IT FOUNDED?
MUSLIMS HELD CALIPHATE OF TURKEY IN HIGH REGARD
The First World War broke out in 1914 & ended in 1918.
The Turkish Ottoman Empire was fighting alongside the German and Austria
against Britain, France and Russia. Unfortunately, Turkish side defeated in
the War.
The Treaty of Versailles decided to split Germany into two by creating a new
country Poland. Germans were asked to pay a huge sum to Victorious Allies.
The same measures were taken against Austria also. The Treaty of Servers
(1920) was against Muslims and according to this Turkey was to be divided
amongst the victorious allies.
If further said that Ottoman Empire was to be split up in a way that Arabia
was made independent, some parts of Turkey would be given under League of
Nations and the remaining Turkish land would be given to Greece.
While Turkey’s only possession in Europe would be the areas around Istanbul.
The British Prime Minister Lloyd George wanted to split Turkey also in the
same way they did with Germany & Austria.
The Muslims of South Asia were angry at this decision & started to stop the
British doing any harm to Khilafat in Turkey.
Muslims held the Caliphate of Turkey in high regard and were not prepared
to see Turkey split up after the War and thus the Caliph abolished.
They expressed their views to the British government during the War who
promised that no harm would be done to the Caliphate.
The Muslims of the world were anxious about the future of Turkey.
It was the only region in the world where the Caliphate was in practice and
the Turkish ruler was known as the “Khalifa or Caliph” so the Muslims
wanted to save Khilafat in Turkey.
The British and other successors wanted to destroy the Ottoman Empire
which contained many sacred places of the Muslims like Makkah, Madina&
Jerusalem or to convert Turkey to a nation than an empire.
The Muslims were also anxious about Hajj and Umrah in case of division of
these sacred places.
TO PRESSURIZE BRITISH
Many Indian muslim leaders believed that the decline of Turkish empire
would have an adverse effect on the importance of indian Muslim community.
And in future british may start treating them with disrespect.
Therefore they encourage muslimsto launch khilafat movement in order to
protect their image and prestige.
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TO REMIND BRITISH THEIR PROMISE
Muslims distrusted British policies, especially after the First World War and
the Rowlatt Act and other legislation.
They were concerned that the British were encouraging Muslims to fear the
Hindus so that Muslims would cooperate more with the British.
They were also worried about how British rule in Afghanistan and Persia had
paid little attention to the views of Muslims there and were worried that the
same was happening in India. TREATY OF VERSAILLES
TREATY OF SEVRES
The Treaty of Sevres (1920) was against Muslims and according to this
Turkey was to be divided amongst the victorious allies.
It further said that Ottoman Empire was to be split up in a way the
Arabia was made independent, some parts of Turkey would be given
under league of Nations and the remaining Turkish land would be given
to Greece.
While Turkey’s only possession in Europe would be the areas around
Istanbul.
The British Prime Minister Lloyd George wanted to split Turkey also in
the same way they did with Germany & Austria.
The Muslims of South Asia were angry at this decision & started to
stop the British doing any harm to Khilafat in Turkey.
MAIN EVENTS
The FIRST KHILAFAT CONFERENCE was held on 23rd November 1919 at
Delhi and Maulvi Fazal-ul-Haq emphasized in his presidential address that
support of non-muslims should be enlisted in this issue.
After this meeting, the main purpose was to convince the British not to take
any action against Turkey.
At the end of this conference a resolution was passed which decided to send
a delegation to England to show the strength of this movement.
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The Hijrat Movement at a critical situation was another blow for this
movement at a wrong time.
The Muslims were shocked to see the attitude of Afghan govt. on the other
hand the Muslim leaders wanted the local people to stay in India& fight
against the British while they were leaving.
As people became backward socially and economically so they did not support
khilafat movement which further weakens the strength of khilafat
movement.
ABOLISHEMENT OF KHILAFAT
The members of Khilafat Movement were more concerned with the fate of
Khalifa than were the Western powers & the people of Turkey.
The biggest reason was that in 1922 Sultan Mehmud VI was deprived of his
power in Turkey and after 2 years Mustafa Kamal Attaturk formed a
nationalist govt. & exiled the Khalifa.
Now there was no reason to carry khilafat movement.
BETRAYAL OF GANDHI
MOPLAH UPRISING
Moplahs were deeply religious Muslims who rose up against their Hindu
landlords and the British in South India.
Their activities destroyed a police station and Hindu Properties.
This action divided Hindus and Muslims and put in doubt Hindu cooperation in
the movement.
DELHI PROPOSALS
Mohammed Ali Jinnah called a conference of all Muslim leaders in Delhi in
1927 to discuss the future of constitutional reforms.
SIMON COMMISSION
WHY IT WAS SENT?
It was expected by the Conservative govt. that in case the Labour party wins
the elections in UK they might give many concessions to the Indians so 2
years early the British government sent a delegation consisted of 7 British
members led by Sir John Simon 1927.
It was sent to solve the problem of communal tension between the Hindus &
the Muslims because there were many disagreements of the previous
reforms.
In Montague-Chelmsford reforms they promised to announce more reforms
in 10 years so it was a continuity of the British policies to introduce new
reforms within 10 years.
SIMON COMMISSION
The Congress did not accept these proposals because of federal form of
govt. separate electorate for minorities & provincial autonomy. Congress
raised slogans of Simon Go Back. Congress started civil-disobedience
movement against british government in 1930 which led to arrest of
thousands of congresss supporters.
Muslim League rejected it because Sindh was not separated from Bombay,
NWFP & Baluchistan were not given provincial status and the Muslims were
not given one-third seats. Muslim league did not joint non-cooperation
movement.
In the meantime there took place a change of british government and new
government assured Indian that no constitutional reforms would be
introduced in India without taking Indian into confidence.
NEHRU REPORT
WHY IT WAS ISSUED?
NEHRU REPORT
• Separation of Sindh from Bombay & full provincial status for NWFP and
Baluchistan.
Jinnah proposed three amendments, which were:
• In the central Legislature, one-third representation for the Muslims.
• In the Punjab and Bengal Muslim representation on the basis of
population.
• Main powers should be given to Central govt. but the remaining powers
should be given to provinces.
The Congress rejected all these amendments.
The Nehru report ended any future cooperation between the Congress and
the Muslim League.
It is considered as the turning point between the Hindu-Muslim relations.
Whatever they had accepted in the Lucknow pact, they even rejected all
those agreements.
So, the Muslims could not trust the Hindus anymore because they had been
betrayed several times.
JINNAH 14 POINTS
WHY DID JINNAH ISSUED 14 POINTS?
IN RESPONSE OF SIMON COMMISSION
Simon Commission did not accept the demands of muslims such as Provincial
status for NWFP, separation of Sindh from Bombay, and Muslims were not
given 1/3rd seats in Central Legislature.
So in response of Simon commission Jinnah issued his 14 points.
Although the Nehru Report has been drawn up by an All Party Conference
but therewere many points in that which were against the Muslims.
Nehru report proposed unitary form of govt which means they wanted Hindu
Raj.
It also proposed Hindi as official language which was against muslims as urdu
was associated with AIML.
It also rejected separate electorate for Muslims which was the main demand
of muslims.
Jinnah wanted amendments which were not accepted by Nehru.
So in response of Nehru Report, in1929 Jinnah gave his own formula for the
constitutional reforms.
Jinnah gave his 14 points in order to protect and safeguard the rights &
interests of muslims.
These demands covered all aspects of Muslims interests at that time.
The demands were also to form the basis of the Muslims demands for a
separate homeland.
It also convinced them that the Hindus and Muslims were two separate
nations.
So in the shadow of 14 points they held Allahabad address for the demand
of a separate homeland for the Muslims.
14 POINTS
In 1929 Quaid-e-Azam decided to give its own formula for the constitutional
reforms.
He convinced the meeting of AIML in Delhi and gave his famous 14 Points
formula.
Federal System
The form of the future constitution should be federal with the residuary
powers rested in the provinces.
Provincial Autonomy
A uniform measure of autonomy shall be granted to all provinces.
Representation of Minorities
All legislative in the country and other elected bodies shall be constituted on
the definite principles of adequate and effective representation of
minorities in every province without reducing the majority in any province to
a minority or even equality.
Number of Muslim Representative
In the central legislative, Muslims representative shall be not less than
onethird.
Separate Electorates
A representative of communal groups shall continue to be by means of
separate electorates as at present provided it shall be open to any
community, at any time to abandon its separate electorate in favor of joint
electorate.
Muslim Majority Provinces
Any territorial re-distribution that might at any time be necessary shall not
in any way, affect the Muslim majority in Punjab, Bengal, and N.W.F.P.
Religious Liberty
Full religious Liberty, liberty of belief, worship and observance, association
and education shall be guaranteed to all the communication.
Three-Fourth Representation
No bill or resolution shall be passed in any legislative or any other elected
body if three-fourths of the members of any community in that particular
body oppose such a bill.
Separation of Sindh
Sindh should be separated from the Bombay Presidency.
IMPORTANCE
These points became the demands of the Muslims and greatly influenced the
Muslims thinking for the next two decades till the establishment of Pakistan
in 1947.
ALLAHABAD ADDRESS
Muslim League held its annual session at Allahabad in 1930 which was
presided by Dr Muhammad Allama Iqbal.
He delivered a speech which is commonly known as Allahabad address of
Allama Iqbal.
Here he presented the idea of separate homeland for Muslims which was
ultimately realized in the form of Pakistan.
Allama Iqbal explained the historical background of hindus and muslims. He
explained that India was a continent of humans who belonged to different
races, languages and religions.
He also pointed out, there would not be peace in the country unless there is
proper place for muslims as a separate nation since muslims have totally
different culture.
He proposed separate homeland for muslims. While defining te area. He
stated Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and Baluchistan should be in muslim state with
or without british rule.
IMPORTANCE
This address laid the foundation of Pakistan Movement which was further
supported by leaders like ChaudryRahmat Ali and Jinnah.
It clarified the confusions in minds of muslims about their political future.
It completely said that Muslims and Hindus are two different nations with
different culture, religion and languages and they can’t live together. This
set a target for muslims that now they have to fight on their own under the
platform of AIML.
This brought unity amongst muslims as all muslim leaders came on one
platform and supported the idea of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
This also brought political awareness among muslims that now they can’t
work with Congress after the Nehru report. It was also a guide for upcoming
muslim political leaders.
The First RTC was held from November 1930 to January 1931.
It was chaired by British Prime minister Ramsey MacDonald.
Except congress, leading leaders of different political parties of India and
nationalities and princes of the princely states were invited.
Congress declared that it would attend the conference only if it was given
the assurance that the Nehru report would be enforced in totality as the
constitution of India. They also refused to attend unless there was a
guarantee that anything agreed at conference would be implemented.
British govt denied to accept their wish.
So Congress boycotted First RTC and started a civil disobedience movement.
Under this civil disobedience movement, protests were held, british goods
were boycotted, and it was decided not to pay taxes.
The british govt reacted strongly by arresting thousands of congress
supporters including Gandhi and Nehru.
From the muslims side, Sir Agha Khan was the head of delegation and other
prominent members were Jinnah, Muhammad Ali, Sir Muhammad Sahfi and
others.
SUCCESSES
Govt approved federal system for India and it was a great achievement and
was first step towards self-rule.
Responsible govt in provinces.
Sindh was given separate identity as province.
Princely states agreed to join All India Federation.
FAILURES
GANDHI-IRWIN PACT
To ensure Congress participation in second round table conference, british
govt directed Viceroy Lord Irwin to make efforts in this regard.
As a result Lord Irwin made a pact with Gandhi in March 1931 known as
Gandhi-Irwin pact.
It was very difficult for the British govt. to reach an agreement without the
Congress, so they tried to their best to convince the Congress to attend the
2nd RTC.
The non-cooperation movement of Gandhi could not get the desired results
and he himself wanted to attend the 2nd RTC.
Gandhi was looking for an appropriate occasion that the Viceroy Lord Irwin
sent him an invitation for talks.
Finally, pact was signed between both the leaders with the proposals that
the Congress would end its civil disobedience movement & attend 2 nd Round
Table Conference.
That the British government would take all ordinances back against Congress
& release all persons arrested during the civil disobedience movement.
He quietly observed the conference & did not give any suggestion on various
matters discussed.
So, the Gandhi was not agreed to accept the rights of minorities & due to his
attitude there was no settlement of various issues, which could be settled
easily.
SUCCESSES
FAILURES
COMMUNAL AWARD
The British government gave enough time and chance to Indian leaders to
come up with a workable constitutional setup, after vainly waiting British
Prime Minister Ramsey Macdonald published their own scheme known as
“Communal Award” in 1932 at the end of second RTC.
It retained separate electorate for the Muslims and all other minorities.
This award also separated Sindh from Bombay province.
It also awarded muslims more seats than their population in Hindu Majority
provinces.
Similarly, It also awarded hindus more seats than their population in Muslim
Majority provinces.
The Congress was not happy with this award because the Muslims were given
separate electorate & seats.
Since Muslim League was called by the British govt so they had to accept it
and this was favorable for muslims as well so they accepted it.
The third RTC was held in London from November 1932 to December 1932.
The 3rd RTC was just a formality because only 46 delegates attended it.
Jinnah did not attend his conference because he was sick of the political
situation of India, he wasn’t properly invited & his wife had died.
Sir Agha Khan led the Muslim League.
After 2nd RTC Gandhi came back & started civil disobedience movement
again.
Gandhi and Nehru were imprisoned due to their movement against the govt.
Lord Irwin was replaced with Lord Willington who was less aware of the
problems & solutions of India and was not in favor of giving Indians any
political freedom.
FAILURES
CONCLUSION
I agree that the three RTC’s achieved little & the British govt. could not
achieve its desired results on the spot but they were very successful
afterwards.
The govt. knew the problems & demands of the major parties of India, which
was a positive feature of these conferences.
The govt. kept those demands in their minds for their future decisions,
which was reflected in the Govt. of India Act 1935.