The Partition of Bengal, the Simla Deputation, the Muslim League and the Morley–Minto Reforms

Last time

Before we start: last time, in The First World War, the Lucknow Pact, the 1919 reforms and the Khilafat Movement, you learned these points. Here they are again on one card. Keep them in mind, because today builds on them.

Muslims organise

In just five years, Muslims of the subcontinent gained their own province, their own political party, and their own electorates. It began with the Partition of Bengal in 1905. This lesson covers the partition, the Simla Deputation, the founding of the Muslim League, and the Morley–Minto Reforms.

Why Bengal was partitioned

In 1905 the Viceroy, Lord Curzon, divided Bengal. The British said it was too large to govern well from Calcutta. West Bengal had a Hindu majority. The new province of East Bengal and Assam had a Muslim majority, with Dhaka as its capital. Critics said the British also wanted to weaken Bengali nationalism by dividing it.

Reactions to the partition

Muslims welcomed it: they gained a province where they were the majority, with more jobs, schools and development in Dhaka. Hindus opposed it strongly. They launched the Swadeshi movement, boycotting British goods, and there was violence. In 1911 the British reversed the partition, and moved the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Muslims felt betrayed.

The Simla Deputation

On 1 October 1906, a deputation of Muslim leaders, led by the Aga Khan, met the Viceroy, Lord Minto, at Simla. They asked for separate electorates, so Muslims could elect their own representatives, and for more seats than their numbers alone would give. Minto was sympathetic. It was the first time Muslims put their political demands together to the British.

The Muslim League

The All-India Muslim League was founded at Dhaka on 30 December 1906, during a meeting of the Muhammadan Educational Conference. Nawab Salimullah Khan was a key figure. Its aims: to protect and advance the political rights of Muslims, to promote loyalty to the British, and to encourage good relations with other communities. Reasons: Congress did not speak for Muslims, the reaction to the Bengal partition, and the need for an organised voice.

The Morley–Minto Reforms

The Indian Councils Act of 1909, the Morley–Minto Reforms, enlarged the legislative councils and allowed more Indians to be elected. Most importantly for Muslims, it granted separate electorates. An Indian was also appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council.

Why the reforms mattered

Separate electorates recognised Muslims as a distinct political community, a step towards the Two-Nation Theory. But real power stayed with the British, and the councils could only advise. Congress disliked separate electorates, seeing them as dividing Indians.

Five key dates

Here are the dates of this period in order. Notice how the reversal in 1911 followed the gains of 1905 to 1909.

Was size the reason for partition?

For: Bengal was huge and hard to govern from Calcutta, and East Bengal was neglected. Against: the British may have wanted to weaken Hindu nationalism and gain Muslim support, divide and rule. Judge: perhaps size was the stated reason, but politics made it attractive to the British. Give a clear view.

Mistakes that lose marks

Mistake one: saying the Muslim League was founded at Simla. It was founded at Dhaka. Mistake two: forgetting that the partition was reversed in 1911. Mistake three: describing the reforms without saying why separate electorates mattered to Muslims. The fix: the right place and date, and the significance.

The full-marks tip

The full-marks tip: give dates and places exactly: Simla, 1 October 1906; Dhaka, 30 December 1906. For significance, say what each event meant for Muslims' political future.

On one card

So, on one card: 1905 to 1909. Keep it for revision.