The Indian Councils Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced separate electorates for Muslims and expanded the legislative councils at both central and provincial levels. The Government of India Act of 1919, based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced dyarchy in provinces and bicameralism at the central level. This article aims to study in detail the causes, features, and impact of these two significant legislative reforms in colonial India.
About Indian Councils Act (1909) & Government of India Act (1919)
- The Indian Councils Act (1909), also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, and the Government of India Act (1919), based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, were two significant legislative acts aimed at introducing reforms in the administration of India under British rule.
- While the former sought to enlarge the legislative councils and introduce separate electorates, the latter attempted to lay the foundation for responsible governance by granting more powers to the legislatures and introducing dyarchy in provinces.
- These reforms resulted from mounting Indian discontent and political activism against colonial rule.
Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms)
Causes behind Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms)
- Failure of the Indian Councils Act, 1892: The Act failed to meet the demands of nationalist leaders for meaningful representation and reforms.
- Exclusion of Indians from administration: Indians were primarily excluded from government services and higher administrative roles, fueling resentment.
- Lord Curzon’s policies: Curzon’s disregard for Indian aspirations, as seen in his partition of Bengal (1905), aggravated discontent.
- Growth of extremism: Rising extremist tendencies in the Congress, advocating for “Swaraj,” alarmed the British.
- Divide and rule policy: The British sought to appease Muslims by introducing separate electorates to counteract growing nationalist unity.
Salient Features of Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms)
- Separate Electorates: Muslims were granted separate electorates, allowing them to elect representatives exclusively from their community.
- Increased Membership: The Central Legislative Council membership was expanded to 60 members, while provincial councils also saw an increase.
- Indian Participation: For the first time, Indians were associated with the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Satyendra Prasad Sinha became the first Indian to hold this position.
- Non-official Majority in Provinces: Provincial legislative councils were allowed a majority of non-official members.
- Rights of Members: Members could discuss the budget, move resolutions, and ask supplementary questions, though with restrictions.
Analysis of Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms)
- The Act represented a limited step towards Indian representation but primarily served British interests.
- The separate electorate system sowed seeds of communal division.
- While the reforms introduced elected representation, it needed to be more meaningful, as voting rights were limited, and official majorities persisted at the central level.
- It was a calculated strategy to appease moderate leaders, suppress extremism, and divide Indian society.
Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)
Causes behind Government of India Act, 1919
- ailure of the Indian Councils Act, 1892: The Act failed to meet the demands of nationalist leaders for meaninThe reforms failed to satisfy nationalist aspirations, with both Hindus and Muslims growing discontented with British policies.
- Unity in Congress: The 1916 Lucknow session witnessed the reunion of moderates and extremists in the Congress, alongside Hindu-Muslim cooperation.
- World War I: India’s substantial contributions to the war effort fueled demands for constitutional reforms.
- Growing Nationalism: Increased political consciousness and activism necessitated British attempts to appease Indian demands.
- Montagu Declaration: The British promise in 1917 to introduce a responsible government in India heightened reform expectations.
Salient Features of Government of India Act, 1919
- Preamble: The Montagu Declaration (1917) emphasising self-government for India was incorporated as the Act’s preamble.
- Dyarchy in Provinces: Provincial subjects were divided into categories of transferred (under elected ministers) and reserved (under Governors).
- Bicameralism: Introduced at the central level with a Legislative Assembly (145 members) and a Council of State (60 members).
- Direct Elections: Introduced for legislative bodies, but suffrage was highly restricted based on property, education, and taxes.
- Separate Electorates: Extended to Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Christians, and Europeans, perpetuating communal divisions.
- Public Service Commission: Established to improve the recruitment process for civil services.
- Provincial Budget Separation: Provincial budgets were separated from the central budget.
- Indian Ministers: Three Indians were required in the Viceroy’s Executive Council, increasing Indian participation.
Analysis of Government of India Act, 1919
- The Act aimed to appease Indian demands while maintaining British supremacy.
- The introduction of dyarchy needed to be revised. The illogical division of subjects between transferred and reserved categories undermining governance separate electorates deepened communal divides.
- Although the reforms allowed more extraordinary legislative powers and increased Indian involvement, they fell short of granting full responsible governance.
- Indians could influence but not control the legislative or administrative process.
Conclusion
The Indian Councils Act (1909) and the Government of India Act (1919) reflect Britain’s attempts to balance nationalist demands with imperial control. While these reforms introduced incremental changes, such as representation and legislative powers, they were overshadowed by the divisive policies of separate electorates and restrictive franchises. The Acts, instead of meeting Indian aspirations, further fueled the demand for complete self-governance, setting the stage for subsequent constitutional advancements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happened in 1909 in India?
In 1909, the Morley-Minto Reforms, officially known as the Indian Councils Act of 1909, were enacted in India. These reforms introduced separate electorates for Muslims, expanded the legislative councils, and provided for greater Indian representation in governance, though limited to advisory roles.
