INDIAN HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Indian Council Act of 1909 is also known as Morley-Minto Reform. It was instituted to placate the Moderates (Congress) and introduce separate electorates on the basis of religion.

Detailed explanation-2: -They jointly drafted the Lucknow Pact 1916, which contained separate electorates for Muslims – something that the Congress was not in favour of before. Three years later, the British in the Government of India Act 1919, extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Anglo Indian and Christians as well.

Detailed explanation-3: -Features of the Act It considerably increased the size of the legislative councils, both Central and provincial. The number of members in the Central Legislative Council was raised from 16 to 60. The number of members in the provincial legislative councils was not uniform.

Detailed explanation-4: -Factors Leading to Morley-Minto Reforms A group of elite Muslims led by the Aga Khan met Lord Minto through the Simla Deputation in 1906, observing that neither elections nor nominations met the needs of Muslims, and thus they demanded a separate electorate for Muslims.