Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909: Key Features and Criticism

Presented by
A.ABDUL SHUMZ
Class VIII
HISTORY
abdul shumz kv kanjikode 1

What name was given to the Government of India act
1909 and why?
1. The Government of India Act 1909 was named as Morley-Minto
reforms after the names of Morley, the Secretary of State and the
Viceroy Lord Minto
2. The central and Provincial Legislative councils were enlarged. The
number of the members were increased by additional members –
from 16 members now it had 60 members. The Provincial
Legislative Council had 50 members.
3. The Central Legislative council had 27 elected members. Less than
half of Provincial Legislative council also had to be elected
4. One Indian member was added to the Executive council of the
viceroy of India.
5. However, the most important feature of this Act was the
introduction of communal electrorate or separate electorate for
Muslims, I.e., from the Muslim dominated area only Muslim
candidate can be elected.
6. Five members of central Legislative council were nominated by the
Viceroy.

Mention two important defects of the Morley-
Minto reforms.
Morley – Minto reforms had some defects:
1. Though the number of Members of the Legislative council were increased it did
not bring any real change in nature of the administration because the members
were not directly elected by the people but elected by rich landlords,
industrialists, etc. Five of the members were nominated by the viceroy and
remained loyal to him.
2. Real power still remained with the Viceroy and the provincial governors.
3. The Legislative council still did not have the power to make recommendation on
matters of low and order, defence and foreign policy.
4. The provision of separate electorate sowed the seed of communalism. It was anti-
democratic in nature and was intended to strengthen the policy of divide and rule.
5. Except for inclusion of some Indian members in the council it did not bring any
basic change in the nature of government. It is far from the concept of
representative governement or ‘Swaraj’.

Why did the Indian leaders or the congress
reject the Morley-Minto reforms?
1. The Congress and other nationalist leaders
strongly objected to the introduction of separate
electorates on the basis of religion.
2. Extremist leaders rejected it completely as anti-
India. Some of the nationalist Muslims also
were extremely unhappy with the act.
3. In no way the reform came up to the expectation
of the Congress.

What was the attitude of the Muslim League
to the Morley-Minto reforms?
1. Though the congress and other nationalist leaders
were critical about the Morley-Minto reforms, the
Muslim League thanked the Viceroy for fulfilling his
promise of concessions to it.
2. It made the Muslim League stronger and ensured
election of Muslim members to the Central
Legislative council.
3. The Morley-Minto Reforms was intended to wean
away the Muslims from the congress and the
Muslims welcomed it.

THE PERIOD AFTER
MORLEY-MINTO
REFORMS
AND THE RISE OF
MAHATMA GANDHI

Point two significant developments of post
Morley-Minto Reforms period
1. Change in the attitude of Muslims to the British
Government – the period witnessed ‘Hindu-Muslim
Unity’ and friendly relations.
2. Beginning of Home Rule Movement by Madam
Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
3. Annulment of Partition of Bengal, creation of the
State of Bihar, shifting of capital to Delhi.

Who started the Home rule Movement and why?
1. The Home Rule Movement was started by Bal Gangadhar
Tilak in Maharashtra and by Madam Annie Besant in
Madras(Chennai).
2. There was widespread discontent among Indians. The British
Government had failed to grant any concession or
representative institution in Morly-Minto reforms. There was
shortages and scarcity of food and other items due to war. A
mass political movement was necessary to pressurise the
Government.
3. Home Rule or self-government was considered as a solution
to these problems. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who was now
released from prison and Madam Annie Besant set up Home
Rule League in Maharashtra and in Adiyar in Madras, to
popularise the ideas of ‘Swaraj’ among people.
4. They aimed to attain self-government through constitutional
means. abdul shumz kv kanjikode 14

What was the importance of the Lucknow
Pact of 1916?
1. Lucknow Pact refers to a ‘pact’ or agreement
signed between the members of the Congress and
the Muslim League in their sessions held
simultaneously at Lucknow in 1916.
2. The Pact is significant because it marked the unity
between the Congress and Muslim League and also
between the two wings of the Indian National
Congress – the Moderates and the Extremists.
3. Both these organizations joined hands to put
forward their demands collectively to the British
Government. Both parties displayed a spirit of
compromise and put forward a joint programme.

Explain the main provisions of the Lucknow
Pact of 1916.
The main provisions of the Pact was that they demanded:
1. Majority of the members of the Legislative Council would be
elected.
2. The Legislative council should be given more powers.
3. At least half of the members of the viceroy Executive
council should be Indians.
4. While the Muslim League agreed to accept the Congress
demand of election, the Congress agreed to continue with
the principle of separate electorate for the Muslims.

What did the congress agree to accept as a
temporary measure and why?
1. Though opposed to the principle of
communal electorate earlier, the
Congress in the Lucknow Pact agreed
to accept this demand as a temporary
measure.
2. Since, in the national struggle against
the British, the cooperation of the
Muslim was required, the congress did
not want to hurt their sentiments.

What do you understand by Satyagraha?
Where did Gandhiji develop the method or
technique for fighting aggression?
1. ‘Satyagraha’ was a unique method of resistance
introduced by Gandhiji. The method was based on
truth and non-violence. Gandhiji used this method
in fighting against injustice.
2. A ‘Satyagrahi’ had to be fearless and he/she should
be ready to endure any form of oppression,
hardship or suffering. It is the weapon of a brave
and not of the cowardly. It is based on the
philosophy of action.
3. This method or technique of satyagraha was used
first by Gandhiji in South Africa for protesting
against the British oppression in Africa.

When did Mahatma Gandhi return to India?
What role did he play in India between 1915-
18?
1. Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa in January, 1915.
2. Between 1915-18, Gandhiji did not get himself in political movement. He
was pained to see the miseries of common people and devoted himself to
take measures to remove poverty and improve their condition.
3. In 1917, he organized a satyagraha at Champaran in Bihar in protest
against the oppression of farmers by Indigo planters.
4. In February, 1918, he organized a strike of mill-workers at Ahmedabad
textile mill. Gandhiji went on a fast. Mill-owners were compelled to
increase pay to the workers after three days of hunger strike.
5. In march, 1918, Gandhiji led another satyagraha in the Kheda district of
Gujarat in protest against high revenue demand, even when the crop failed.
Finally, landowners had to give in.
6. Gandhiji achieved a great-success on satyagraha and gave a new direction
to national movement by involving the masses.

How did Gandhiji apply his techniques of
satyagraha against the British rule with a
few local mass struggles?
1. Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa in January, 1915.
2. Between 1915-18, Gandhiji did not get himself in political movement.
He was pained to see the miseries of common people and devoted himself
to take measures to remove poverty and improve their condition.
3. In 1917, he organized a satyagraha at Champaran in Bihar in protest
against the oppression of farmers by Indigo planters.
4. In February, 1918, he organized a strike of mill-workers at Ahmedabad
textile mill. Gandhiji went on a fast. Mill-owners were compelled to
increase pay to the workers after three days of hunger strike.
5. In march, 1918, Gandhiji led another satyagraha in the Kheda district of
Gujarat in protest against high revenue demand, even when the crop
failed. Finally, landowners had to give in.
6. Gandhiji achieved a great-success on satyagraha and gave a new direction
to national movement by involving the masses.

What was the impact of the success of three
mass struggles organized by Gandhiji?
1. Success of Gandhiji in the local mass struggles imbibed
the people with a new spirit and enthusiasm.
2. It gave a new direction to the Indian National
Movement – leading to other mass movements in
future.
3. Gandhiji emerged as the undisputed leader of the
people.
4. Unique method of satyagraha became the weapon of
resistance against the oppression of the British
Government.
5. He infused the people with a spirit of fearlessness,
bravery and self-confidence.

Describe some positive steps taken by
Gandhiji as part of the programme of the
national movement.
Besides organizing non-violent resistance against the British, he
took many other positive steps such as:
1. Made social reform an integral part of national movement.
2. Fought against the unequal treatment of people on line of
caste and other differences. He devoted his life to removal of
untouchability.
3. For the unliftment of rural people and to give them economic
freedom, Gandhiji supported cottage and small-scale
industries. Promoted khadi and charkha – congress members
were required to wear khadi to encourage this movement.
4. He promoted the cause of Hindu-Muslim unity and gave his
life for this cause.
5. Under his leadership, national movement entered a new
phase.

Describe the British attitude towards the
Congress or Indians at the end of the
war(Ist World War)
1. During the first World war, Indians supported Britain with the
expectation that they would get concessions from Britain after
the end of war.
2. Though in 1917, the British Government announced some
changes through a Declaration, promising self-rule in limited
way, no real concession was given after the war.
3. In 1919, the Government of India act was passed but the Act
was not up to the expectation of Indians. It not only
provided separate electorate for the Muslims but extended it
to Sikhs, Anglo-Indians.
4. The Act introduced dyarchy in the provinces, under which
though some departments were placed under the charge of
Indian Ministers, all important departments such as finance,
law etc. were the charge of Government.

Discuss the important provisions of the Act
of 1919 (the Motague-Chelmsford Reforms).
1. The Act provided for a bicameral Legislature at the Centre –
having two Houses, the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and
the Council of States(Upper House).
2. Both the Houses would have majority of elected members. The
Lower House would have 104 out of 145 elected members and
the Upper House would have 34 elected and 26 nominated
members.
3. A system of dyarchy or dual government was introduced in the
Provinces. The Provincial subjects were divided into two groups –
Reserved and Transferred – Reserved subjects covering important
departments were kept under the control of the Governor and
the Transferred subjects were to be administered by Indian
Minister who would be responsible to the Legislative Assembly.
4. Communal electorates were extended to Anglo-Indians, Sikhs,
Christians in addition to the Muslims.

Why were the Motague-Chelmsford Reforms condemned by the Congress?
Give three points.
1. It considered the reforms as inadequate.
2. Did not provide self-rule or self-government as
demanded by the congress.
3. The Reforms extended communal electorates to
their communities other than Muslims
strengthening the policy of Divide and Rule.
Congress was opposed to further extension of
communal electorates.

What was the Rowlatt Act? Why did
the Indians protest against it?
1. On 18 March 1919, the British
Government passed the
Rowlatt Act. According to
this act the Government
could arrest a person
without warrant and
imprison a person without a
trial.
2. It was opposed by Indians
because it violated the civil
rights of the people.

Why did Gandhiji start Rowlatt Satyagraha?
1. Gandhiji took the Act as a open
challenge to the Indians and joined
the political struggle in a big way.
2. The Act was passed despite the total
opposition of the Indians. The Act
violated the civil rights of the Indians.
3. Political supporters of all parties and
groups had complete faith in Gandhiji’s
leadership and guidance.
4. Gandhiji responded to their faith by
launching a massive satyagraha
against the Rowlatt Act.

Name the two leaders who were driven out of
Punjab by the British authorities. Why did they do
so?
Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saiffudin Kitchlew.
1. Because these two leaders were popular leaders
and led them in their agitation against the British.
2. The British authorities got alarmed at the success
of the All-India hartal organized on 6th April,
1919. They reacted by arresting and exiling the
two leaders on April 9., 1919.

What do you understand byu Jallianwala Bagh
Massacre? What was its impact on Indian National
Movement?
1. On 13th April, 1919 (Baisakhi Day) a peaceful meeting was held in Amritsar to
protest against the arrest of two popular leaders and against the repressive policies of
the British.
2. The meeting was held in Jallianwala Bagh, a park, enclosed on all sides with one
entry. The park was packed with people from all walks of life including women and
children.
3. Suddenly, General Dyer, the military commander of Amritsar closed the exit and
ordered his troops to open fire. 1000 rounds were fired, killing nearly 400 people
and injuring many more.
4. This incident is referred as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
5. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre had a great impact on the national movement:
(i) It sent a wave of shock throughout the country.
(ii) Rabindranath Tagore gave up the British title of knighthood and Mahatma Gandhi
surrendered his title of Kaiser-I-Hind.
(iii) National movement grew stronger – two anti-British movements – the Non-
cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement started in 1920 – symbolised Hindu-
Muslim unity.
(iv) These movements marked the beginning of mass movements.
(v) Gandhiji became the leader of Indian National Movement.

Write a note on Jallianwala Bagh
Massacre.
1. On 13th April, 1919 (Baisakhi Day) a peaceful meeting was held in Amritsar to
protest against the arrest of two popular leaders and against the repressive policies of
the British.
2. The meeting was held in Jallianwala Bagh, a park, enclosed on all sides with one
entry. The park was packed with people from all walks of life including women and
children.
3. Suddenly, General Dyer, the military commander of Amritsar closed the exit and
ordered his troops to open fire. 1000 rounds were fired, killing nearly 400 people
and injuring many more.
4. This incident is referred as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
5. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre had a great impact on the national movement:
(i) It sent a wave of shock throughout the country.
(ii) Rabindranath Tagore gave up the British title of knighthood and Mahatma Gandhi
surrendered his title of Kaiser-I-Hind.
(iii) National movement grew stronger – two anti-British movements – the Non-
cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement started in 1920 – symbolised Hindu-
Muslim unity.
(iv) These movements marked the beginning of mass movements.
(v) Gandhiji became the leader of Indian National Movement.

How did the British authorities react
to Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
1. Though some Englishmen were shocked
to hear about the brutality in
Jallianwala Bagh, the British
authorities including General dyer
had no regrets,
2. Martial law was imposed all over
Punjab and a reign of terror began.
3. People were humiliated, flogged and
imprisoned. Students were made to
crawl to school.

Which act of 1919 is known as the
Black Act? Mention any one of its
Provision.
The Rowlatt Act passed on 9th April, 1919 is known
as the Black Act. Its main provision was that
under this Act a persons could be sent to prison
without a trial.

What led to the Khilafat Movement? Why did the
Congress support it?
1. Defeat of Turkey by the British in the First World War and the
humiliating treatment of Turkish Khalifa (Caliph) affected the
attitude of the Muslims of India. Since Caliph of Turkey was
the spiritual head of the Muslims they decided to agitate
against his ill-treatment.
2. Turkish Empire was dismembered by the British and Turkish
territories were distributed among European countries.
Khilafat Movement, thus was a movement against the injustice.
1. The congress supported Khilafat Movement to cement Hindu-
Muslim unity.
2. To bring the Muslims into the mainstream of National
Movement, Gandhiji found in it a golden opportunity of
Hindu-Muslim cooperation.

Who led the Khilafat Movement? How was it
organized?
1. The movement was led and organized by
Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Ali
Brothers (Mohammed Ali and Shaukat Ali).
2. In November 1919, All India Khilafat
Conference was held at Delhi and the
Muslims gave a call of non-cooperation
with British and demanded the
restoration of the earlier status of
Turkish Caliph.
3. Soon the movement merged with
Gandhiji’s non-Cooperation Movement.

What is the historic importance of the
Congress sessions held at Calcutta and
Nagpur in 1920?
1. Calcutta session held on September 20, 1920.
2. Presided over by Lala Lajpat Rai.
3. Was a historic session as it adopted the programme of non-violent, non-cooperation
under the leadership of Gandhiji.
4. Nagpur session was held in December 1920.
5. It approved the Non-cooperation Movement.
6. Under Gandhiji’s leaders ship, resolutions were passed to reorganize Congress to
make it a mass organization reaching to the villages.

Why did Gandhiji start Non-
Cooperation Movement?
1. to achieve or attain ‘swaraj’
2. To undo the wrong or injustice done to
Turkey and to cooperate Khilafat
Movement.
3. To protest against the Jallianwala Bagh
Massacre.

Assess the main features of the Non-
cooperation Movement (1920-22)
launched under the leadership of
Mahatma Gandhi.
The main features of the Non-cooperation Movement are:
1. First broad based mass movement involving all sections of
people – had all-India character
2. The movement was organized in stages involving
renunciation of titles – boycott of legislature, offices,
schools, colleges, law courts – picketing of shops selling
imported goods – promotion of Swadeshi and finally non-
payment of taxes.
3. Introduction of satyagraha or passive resistance in national
movement – stress on non-violent, non-cooperation, based
on truth
4. Establishment of national institutions such as Kashi
Vidyapith at Benaras and Gujarat Vidyapith at Ahmedabad.
5. Khadi and charkha movement became as integral part of
the movement.

Describe the positive and negative aspects of
the Non-Cooperation Movement.
The main features of the Non-cooperation Movement are:
1. First broad based mass movement involving all sections
of people – had all-India character
2. The movement was organized in stages involving
renunciation of titles – boycott of legislature, offices,
schools, colleges, law courts – picketing of shops
selling imported goods – promotion of Swadeshi and
finally non-payment of taxes.
3. Introduction of satyagraha or passive resistance in
national movement – stress on non-violent, non-
cooperation, based on truth
4. Establishment of national institutions such as Kashi
Vidyapith at Benaras and Gujarat Vidyapith at
Ahmedabad.
5. Khadi and charkha movement became as integral part of
the movement.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi withdraw the Non-
cooperation Movement?
1. Gandhiji withdrew the Non-Cooperation
Movement due to a violent incident at Chauri
Chaura near Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
2. On 5th February when the police attacked a
procession of peasant and workers, the
angry mob set on fire a police station killing
22 policemen.
3. Since the movement turned violent, Gandhiji
withdrew the movement on 12th February,
1922.

Discuss the role of South India in the Non-
Cooperation Movement.
The Non-Cooperation Movement spread to South India also.
(1) Thiru Vi Ka supported four-month long strike at
Buckingham and Karnatic textile mills.
(2) In Andhra Pradesh and interior Tamil Nadu, picketing of
shops were successfully organized. Some of the important
leaders were c. Rajagopalachari, Konda Venkatapayya, T.
Prakasan and P. Sitaramayya.
(3) In Malabar, the peasants of Kerala rebelled against
oppressive landlords to solve tenancy problems.

Discuss the role of Muslims
in the Non-Cooperation
Movement.
1. The participation of the Muslims in the Non-cooperation Movement
made it broad-based.
2. The movement cemented Hindu-Muslim unity.
3. However, M.A.Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League withdrew
from supporting Congress after 1920.
4. The movement of the Muslims however got weakened. The British
signed a treaty after which the Khalifa was reinstalled.
5. British authorities constantly tried to incite disunity among the two
communities. There were a number of communal riots such as
Kohat, Calcutta.
6. The Rebellion of the Moplah(Muslim peasants) in Kerala later
changed into Hindu-Muslim riots.
Inspite of these sporadic events, generally they fought together against
the British during Non-Cooperation Movement.

Discuss the impact of the Non-
Cooperation Movement.
1. This turned national movement into a mass
movement.
2. Congress under Gandhiji changed its character
and became a broadbased and politically active
organization. It no longer remained limited to
only a section of elitist urban people but became
a countrywide movement involving the rural
population also.
3. The unique method and technique of satyagraha
proved quite formidable and British found
difficult to suppress the agitation.
4. The most important aspect of movement was the
willingness of the people to face hardships and
punishments with courage.
5. everyone became as active participant in india’s
struggle for freedom.

.
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Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909: Key Features and Criticism