Section 2 Notes
Section 2 Notes
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PARTITION OF BENGAL
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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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-ul-
Mulk 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.
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 non-
officials.
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.
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.
Also the legislature could not pass any resolution on matters concerning army
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.
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
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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
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.
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.
It was the greatest success of Jinnah to bring both the parties closer
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because he always tried his best to bring the Hindus and the Muslims closer
to each other.
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
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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
business and fast as a sign of their hatred. This event is known as Rowlatt
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.
This means that main powers and all authorities were in the hands of British.
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Indians realized that they were not provided with any power.
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
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
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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.
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
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.
A “KHILAFAT COMMITTEE” was organized in the first step of the
movement & Maulana Shaukat Ali was nominated as Secretary, Congress also
assured its full support in this moment and Abul Kalam Azad represented it.
Congress also agreed to boycott British goods and adopting a policy of non-
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The Afghan govt. welcome them in the beginning but afterwards refused to
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
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BETRAYAL OF GANDHI
In Chaura Chauri incident 21 policemen were killed due to which Gandhi called
off his support.
Betrayal of Gandhi on the very crucial stage nears the victory because he
was having his aim of self-rule while the Muslims were much concerned with
Khilafat.
He was the leader of the groups and without him it was difficult to continue
the movement.
MOPLAH UPRISING
DELHI PROPOSALS
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SIMON COMMISSION
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,
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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
NEHRU REPORT
Men and women and all religions should have equal rights.
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JINNAH 14 POINTS
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
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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 one-
third.
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.
Introduction of Reforms in N.W.F.P and Baluchistan
Reforms should be introduced in the North-West Frontier Province and
Balochistan on the same footing as in other provinces.
Government Services
Muslims should be given adequate share along with other Indians in the
services of State.
IMPORTANCE
ALLAHABAD ADDRESS
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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
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
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the Congress would end its civil disobedience movement & attend 2nd Round
Table Conference.
That the British government would take all ordinances back against Congress
& release all persons arrested during the civil disobedience movement.
SUCCESSES
FAILURES
COMMUNAL AWARD
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
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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.
RESULTS
This could not get the approval of both the major parties of India because it
could not meet their desired demands.
The system of govt. introduced could not fulfil the requirements of various
sections of the society.
It gave main powers under the British govt. because the Governor General
could use special power in reserved subjects.
Appointed Governors were having much power, that they could dismiss the
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PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY
It did provide additional rights for the local population vote - some 5 times
the previous numbers at 35 million in total.
The property qualifications was lowered which gave 35 million Indians the
right to vote (1/4 of India adult population)
Provisions for a federal government were also established at the center for
the first time, which meant that princely states could decide, participate
politically in affairs, which concerned the sub-continent.
It was also important in the sense that before that they did not give such
option Princely states.
However, the British retained key decisions relating to external relations
and defense, which was a drawback.
The Viceroy and Governor General was head of the Federation and could
exert specials powers if he wanted to.
Provincial governors also had special powers, having the right to dismiss
ministers or the whole administration.
It means that all the Indians were having no power and they were totally
dependent on the British.
Diarchy was not completely abolished and it was just shifted from the
provinces to center so it could be misused again by the govt.
All sides in India opposed it. Princes, Congress & Muslim League, so there was
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ELECTIONS OF 1937
RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS
WARDHA SCHEME
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In the areas under their rule announced to host three colored flag along with
British to show that after the British, the Congress was the only power in
India.
HINDU-MUSLIMS RIOTS
Hindu Muslim riots were common in the areas dominated by Hindus they
created many problems for the Muslims.
They could not practice Islam freely; their houses were burnt.
They also abducted the Muslim women & disgraced them at public places.
The properties, honour& life of the Muslims were not safe under their rule.
This was started by the Congress the purpose of this scheme was to distract
the people from Muslim League.
The prominent leaders of the Congress contacted the Muslim to bring them
back in the Congress by giving them various types of temptations.
The main objective was to crush the popularity of the muslim league amongst
muslims.
By this congress wanted to reduce the political strength of muslim league.
The Congress did not accept this proposal of the govt. & as protest resigned
DAY OF DELIVERANCE
When the Congress resigned from their ministers, the Muslims were very
happy because they had got rid of the most painful cruelties & injustices of
the Congress.
Now their region, education & political career were out of danger.
On the advice of the Jinnah the people observed the “Day of Deliverance” on
22nd December 1939.
They thanked God Almighty, Who saved them from the cruelties of the
Congress.
The Muslims celebrated this day with great excitement & meetings were also
held to view those days.
Thank offering prayers were also performed.
LAHORE/PAKISTAN RESOLUTION
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Although in the beginning Jinnah was not accepting the idea of Chaudhry
Rehmat Ali to have a separate state for the Muslims.
When he saw the cruel policies of Congress & concluded that the British
would be forced to leave India, he changed his view.
Muslim League organized its annual session on 23rd March 1940, at Lahore.
Quaid-e-Azam was the chairman of this historic moment (Minar-e-Pakistan is
situated there).
Hindu Press called it “Pakistan Resolution”.
Fazal ul Haq “Sher-e-Bengal” & “Primer of Bengal” presented this resolution.
Chaudhry Khaliq uz Zaman supported it.
The main demand made at this time was the merging of the Muslim majority
areas of North Western & Eastern parts of India.
At this occasion Jinnah again explained the two-nation theory by saying that
the Hindus & the Muslims were the entirely different nations.
They couldn’t live with each other because their traditions, customs,
festivals, religion and languages were entirely different.
AUGUST OFFER
CRIPPS MISSION
MUHAMMAD YOUSUF MEMON
The govt. wanted to resolve the communal tension & the matters of both the
major Parties of India.
After the resign of Congress from their ministries there was much violence
in India.
So they wanted to stop these violence and focus on World War II.
They also wanted to introduce constitutional reforms in India & after the
war DOMINION status to be given to India.
They were quite aware of the fact that without this temptation the Indians
would not support the British in the war.
So they wanted to promise Dominion status for the Indians.
CRIPPS MISSION
Mr Churchill the British Prime Minister announced to send the delegation
headed by Sir Stafford Cripps, to suggest the recommendations for the new
reforms and to persuade Indians to support war.
Mission reached Delhi on 23rd march 1942 to hold the discussion with indian
leaders but because of deadlock between Congress and AIML, mission failed
to reach an agreement.
However, it submitted its proposals which were:
Dominion status for India after war.
Gave right for princely states to opt the union or not.
British would control defense, foreign affairs and finance of the sub-
continent.
NO SELF RULE
The Congress Party wanted immediate and full control over the central
government.
It was the main demand of Congress that the British should leave India by
giving them self-rule but the British wanted to control the power for a long
time period which Congress rejected.
TO PRESSURIZE BRITISH
The British were also negotiating from a weak position which the Congress
Party exploited by demanding Britain to leave the sub-continent immediately.
Since the British govt. was involved in the World War II so they were having
a weak position and they wanted Indian support during the war so they fully
exploited this position.
Hence Indians see this as best position to pressurize British to drive them
MUHAMMAD YOUSUF MEMON
out of India.
Both Muslims and Hindus were to some extent united in their opposition to
the Cripps Mission’s proposals.
The Muslims rejected them because the British would not agree to Partition
and the Congress Party wanted immediate and full control over the central
government.
So Gandhi thought that the Muslims would support the Congress if they
would support the Congress if they would start this movement.
Gandhi wanted to drive the British out from India as soon as possible
because of the threat of Japanese invasion over India.
The govt. of Japan had threatened that they would attack all those
MUHAMMAD YOUSUF MEMON
countries who were allies of the British so Gandhi was afraid of their
invasion over India.
They had also attacked over Pearl Harbour in America so Gandhi thought
that India could be the next target due to the British govt. here.
The British were also negotiating from a weak position which the Congress
Party exploited by demanding Britain to leave the sub-continent immediately.
Since the British govt. was involved in the World War II so they were having
a weak position and they wanted Indian support during the war so they fully
exploited this position.
The position of the British govt. was weak because of the war so he wanted
to black mail the govt.
He wanted to show his power to the govt. by conducting this last satyagraya.
The thoughts of Gandhi & Jinnah were entirely different than each other.
Gandhi wanted that the Muslims should work with the Congress to drive the
British from India then the Hindus and the Muslims would resolve the
problems of elections and partition. Jinnah could not trust the Hindus &
wanted a solution of the Muslims under the British rule.
Gandhi wanted that the main powers like defence& foreign policy should be
under the control of the central govt. while Jinnah wanted power for the
provinces. Gandhi was sure that in case the British would leave India all the
power would be obtained by the Congress but Jinnah wanted provincial power
so that in case of the British govt. would India some power would remain
under the control of the Muslims.
Gandhi considered himself as the representative of all the Indians while
Jinnah corrected that he was a spokesman of Congress only. Gandhi also
rejected “Two Nation Theory”, while it was the point of Muslim League.
Gandhi’s attitude was so stubborn that he did not accept the rights of the
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SIMLA CONFERENCE
Conference was closed on 14th July 1945. Another british attempt to find a
MUHAMMAD YOUSUF MEMON
ELECTIONS 1945-46
CONGRESS RULE
PAKISTAN RESOLUTION
A caretaker (interim central govt.) would be set up & in the meantime the
British govt. would manage the withdrawal.
The govt. would form an All-Indian Commission with the help of members of
Provincial & Central Legislatures.
The Commission would decide the formation of one or two states.
Both the Congress & Muslim League rejected this plan because it neither
considered immediate transfer to power nor a Muslim State but the
commission continued its work & gave its final plan.
It did not approve the idea of Pakistan. It agreed that a union of India
should be formed including both British states and Indian states & all the
main departments such as foreign affairs, defence and communication would
be given to it.
Three groups of provinces such as Hindu majority provinces, Muslims
majority provinces & provinces of Bengal and Assam would be formed.
All these provinces and states would be considered as the basic units and
MUHAMMAD YOUSUF MEMON
The British govt. chose Lord Mountbatten as the last Viceroy of India.
The British Prime Minister, Lord Attlee wanted to transfer the power as
soon as possible to the Indians.
Till June 1948.
Atlee chose short time due to the reason that in case of long time there
would be more disagreements.
Mountbatten had very limited time & for a long time in spite of the govt.
efforts they could not get an acceptable solution for the Muslim League &
the Congress.
The Viceroy worked very hard to meet his target and finally he was able to
form a partition plan.
The Congress accepted it.
After the approval from the British Govt. it was announced on 3 rd June.
The main characteristics of the plan were:
There would be two states namely Pakistan & India.
The division of the both the provinces of Punjab & Bengal would be
decided by the Legislatures.
The people would be given the authority to form the constitution of
India & it would be introduced in the areas, which would accept it.
Government of India Act 1935 would be used as an interim constitution.
The people of NWFP could be given a choice through referendum.
The people of Baluchistan would be given a chance to decide their
future.
Each State would have a Dominion Status & have an Executive
responsible to a Constituent Assembly.
Princely States would be given complete liberty to join either Pak or
India.
A Boundary Commission would be formed after partition, which would
decide the boundaries of both the countries.
Both the countries would nominate their Governor-Generals as the
executive heads of the countries.
After the partition the military assets would be divided between the two
countries.
INDEPENDENCE ACT
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It was approved on 15th July 1947 by the govt. & it was decided that there
would be two dominion states India & Pakistan.
The first govt. of Pakistan accepted the power on 14 th August.
The govt. also approved that till the formation of a new constitution the
Govt. of India Act 1935 would be used as the temporary constitution for
both the countries.
Princely states would be free to join with any country according to their
choice.
ALLAMA IQBAL
Till the end he gave advices to M.Ali Jinnah in political matters through his
MUHAMMAD YOUSUF MEMON
Provincial elections under Act of 1935 were held in 1937 and proved to be