Question

I need detailed answers to these two questions:

❧ Explain what the Minto-Morley reforms offered to the Indians? (7 mark)
❧ What did the Muslims gain from the Minto-Morley Reforms? (7 mark)

Answer 1

1. Local bodies would elect an electoral college, which in turn would elect the members of provincial legislatures, who in turn would elect members of the central legislature. Under the Act, Muslim members were to be elected by only Muslim voters, dividing the electorate.

2. It introduced a system of communal representation for Muslims by accepting the concept of 'separate electorate'. Under this, the Muslim members were to be elected only by Muslim voters. Thus, the Act 'legalised communalism' and Lord Minto came to be known as the Father of Communal Electorate.