Simon Commission

 1927, communalism in India threatened to undo Muslim Hindu co-op but brits took dum dum action that
restored cooperation
 Gov of India act 1919 said every 10 years commission set up to enquire working of reforms
 Conservativve Brit gov feared Labour party (who was sympathetic to Indian nationalism beliefs) would win

 1927- 7 man committee chairmanship of Sir John Simon to consider situation in India. Not one Indian.
Considered an insult in india. LESS WERK TOGETHER AGAIN SAID HINDUS AND MUSLIMS

 Congress boycott and ML also. Mass demonstration when SC members arrived. Came out infavour of
complete independence
 May 1928, ML, Congress, Central Sikh League, Liberals and Hindu Mahasabha met in ALL PARTY
CONFERENCE to draft constitution which they thought should be drawn up
 Pundit Motial Nehru chaired and constitution contained in Nehru Report

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1 (a) According to Source A, why was there opposition to the Simon Commission of 1927? [3]

SOURCE A

The Simon Commission 1927

The offer of the hand of friendship from Congress is more valuable than any concession which the British
Government is willing to make. This public meeting of the citizens of Bombay firmly declares that the commission
which has been announced is unacceptable to the people of India as it denies the right of the people of India to
participate on equal terms in framing the future constitution of the country. It contains no Indian representation.
Indians throughout the country should have nothing to do with the commission at any stage or in any form. We are
not satisfied with the status of just being petitioners to this commission.’[

From a speech made by Jinnah in Bombay in 1927, in reaction to the appointment

of the Simon Commission.

Answer

• No Indian representation on the Commission

• Value friendship with Congress more than British concession
• Not on equal terms with British in framing new constitution
• Not satisfied with being only petitioners.
 NEHRU REPORT 1928
 Constitutional guarantee of fundamental rights including freedom of conscience and liberty, central gov
responsible for peace and order
o Immediate Dominion status for India (independent but member of commonwealth and brit as head of
state)
o India to become federation with a 2-chamber parliament
o (no separate electorate for any community or weightage for minority) but protection of minority thru
reserving seats
o Vote for all men and women
o Hindi official language
 Ghandi proposed that Britain should have one year to accept the recommendations of Nehru Report or face
campaign of non-cooperation

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Muslim HORRIFIED views of Muslims ignored. Congress turned back on agreement in Lucknow ‘

21 jan 1929 All India Muslim Conference rejecteddd

Jinnah proposed 4 changes

 1/3 elected representatives both houses of central legislatures to be Muslims

 Punjab and Bengal (in case of adult suffrage) reservation of seats for Muslims based on pop of 10 years
 Residuary powers left to provinces not central legislature
 NWF Province and Sindh to have full provincial status

Congress rejected. Major impact on future. Jinnah said it was “parting of ways” said he aint gonna reconcile with
Congress
 14 POINTS (JAN 1929)
Q Why did Jinnah produce his 14 Points in 1929? [7] (J2010/Q/3b)

Examiner Comments misunderstood the question and tended to write about the events that took place
during 1928 and 1929 rather the reasons why Jinnah introduced his 14 Points and as a result fewer
candidates scored within Level 3 than in previous questions.

 The 14 Points set out the demands of any future negotiations with either Congress or the British
Government.
 The demands were also to form the basis of the Muslims demands for a separate homeland.
(accepted by conference in March 1929)
 It also convinced them that the Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations.
 14 points followed by rejection of Nehru report so any Hindu-Muslim co-operation came to an end
but both grps continued to campaign separately against Brit Plans

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Jinnah presented his proposal in the form of Fourteen Points, insisting that no scheme for the future
constitution of the government of India will be satisfactory to the Muslims until and unless stipulations
were made to safe guard their interests.

1. The form of the future constitution should be federal.

2. all Provinces should be autonomous.
3. Minorities should be represented on elected bodies such as the legislature.
4. Muslim representation should not be less than one-third of the Central Legislature.
5. Communal groups should have representation by means of separate electorate unless they decide
otherwise.
6. Muslim majorities shouldn’t be impacted in the Punjab, Bengal, and the North West Frontier Province by
the distribution of land.
7. Religious freedom must exist.
8. No bill should be passed if three-fourths of a community opposes a bill.
9. Sindh should be separate from the Bombay Presidency.
10. Reforms in the North West Frontier Province and Baluchistan should be introduced in the same manner
as reforms in other provinces.
11. The constitution should ensure that Muslims and other Indians have a share in the services of the state
and local governments.
12. Muslim culture and ways of life must be protected.
13. The cabinet should have at least one-third Muslim ministers.
14. The Central Legislature shouldn’t be able to change the constitution unless the states approve.

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Dec 1929. Congress met in Lahore. Jawahaarlal Nehru president of session. Rejected dominion called for
complete independence. 31st dec midnight Nehru led to River Ravi where indian flag raised amidst cries
“Long Live the revolution”
The Fourteen Points
8. Three-Fourth Representation
1. Federal System
No bill or resolution shall be passed in any legislative
The form of the future constitution should be federal
or any other elected body if three-fourths of the
with the residuary powers rested in the provinces.
members of any community in that particular body
oppose such a bill.
2. Provincial Autonomy
A uniform measure of autonomy shall be granted to
9. Separation of Sindh
all provinces.
Sindh should be separated from Bombay Presidency.

3. Representation of Minorities
10. Introduction of Reforms in N.W.F.P and
All legislative in the country and other elected bodies
Baluchistan
shall be constituted on the definite principles of
Reforms should be introduced in the North-West
adequate and effective representation of minorities
Frontier Province and Baluchistan on the same
in every province without reducing the majority in
footing as in other provinces.
any province to a minority or even equality.

4. Number of Muslim Representative

In the central legislative, Muslims representative 11. Government Services
shall be not less than one-third. Muslims should be given adequate share along with
other Indians in the services of State.
5. Separate Electorates
Representative of communal groups shall continue 12. Protection of Muslim's culture and Language
to be by means of separate electorates as at present The constitution should embody adequate safeguard
provided it shall be open to any community, at any for the protection of Muslim culture, language,
time to abandon its separate electorate in favor of religion and civilization.
joint electorate.
13. One-Third Muslim Ministers
6. Muslim Majority Provinces No cabinet, either central or provincial be
Any territorial re-distribution that might at any time formed.Without being a proportion of at least one-
be necessary shall not in any way, affect the Muslim third Muslim Ministers.
majority in Punjab, Bengal and N.W.F.P.
14. Constitution
7. Religious Liberty No change shall be made in the constitution of state
Full religious Liberty, liberty of belief, worship and except with the concurrence of State constituting the
observance, association and education shall be Indian Federation.
guaranteed to all the communication.
 Explain why there were three Round Table Conferences between 1930 and 1932. 7 4

Level 3: Explains reason(s) 5–7 (Five marks for one explanation, six marks for two explanations, seven marks
for three explanations) e.g.

• To discuss and to agree the development of the subcontinent. It was realised that without the attendance
of Congress little progress on the future of the subcontinent could be achieved and so another meeting was
needed;

• Congress did not attend the first conference, the Indian representatives attending struggled to reach
agreement themselves contributing to its breakdown;

• Lord Irwin met Gandhi and made progress so that another Round Table Conference could be held. In this
Gandhi took a hard line refusing to recognise the issue of the minorities and also claiming that Congress
spoke for the whole of India. Thus this conference made limited headway;

• The second conference broke up amidst concerns that the British would impose a solution if agreement
couldn’t be reached. It was then agreed that a third Conference should be held.

Why were the three Round Table Conferences held between 1930 and 1932? [7] (N2011/Q/3b)
Examiner Comments: tended to write about the events that happened at the Conferences or the reasons why they
failed rather than the reasons why they were held and, as a result, were only able to score a Level 2 mark.
Marking Scheme: Explains reasons.

 There was a lack of unity amongst the Hindus and Muslims about the future of India; the British didn’t know
what to do next and so decided upon holding conference to discuss it with all parties.
 The rejection of the Simon Commission’s findings by the Indians also persuaded the British to go ahead with
the conference.
 The new Labour government, which had consistently supported Indian nationalism in the past, gave fresh
hope for a solution.
 However, there were problems in the First Conference. It was realised that without the attendance of the
Congress little progress on the future of the sub-Continent could be achieved.
 Lord Irwin met Gandhi and made progress so that another Round Table Conference could be held. In this,
Gandhi took a hard line, refusing to recognise the problem of the minorities, and also claiming to represent
the Congress alone, which he said spoke for the whole of India. The Conference broke up amidst threats that
the British would impose a solution if agreement couldn’t be reached.
 It was then agreed that a third Conference would be held.
Why was the Second Round Table Conference of 1931 unsuccessful? (J/2017/Q3b)

• Gandhi did not accept that the 14 Points of the Quaid-e-Azam should be
included in future discussions.
• Gandhi did not accept the demands about the rights of minorities.
Gandhi was unreasonable about the rights of minorities and refused to accept their demands
• The Conference was unsuccessful because Gandhi refused to recognise
the rights of the Muslim.

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 How did the name ‘Pakistan’ originate? (J/2017/Q3a)
 • Chaudhry Rehmat Ali devised the name. • Stated in pamphlet ‘Now or Never’ in 1933. • By end of the year
most Muslims within India knew the name and its importance. • Punjab, Afghania (NWFP), Kashmir, Sindh
and Balochistan. • Muslim League thought his ideas were impractical and ignored by Jinnah.
c) Explain the importance of the Government of India Act of 1935 to the future of the subcontinent.[7]

• Some provincial autonomy was granted which meant that every provincial government was allowed to devise and
carry out their own programmes and be responsible to their own legislature.
• This was the first time that this had been allowed and was seen as an important step forward.

• Ministers in the provinces could have control over all departments except when governors chose to intervene in
cases of public order or to veto a bill they disliked
This was a drawback since it meant that the real lpower lay with the governors

• It provided additional rights for the local population to vote – some 5 times the previous numbers at 35 million in
total.

• Provisions for a federal government were established for the first time, which meant that princely states could
decide to participate politically in affairs concerning the sub-continent.

• However, key decisions relating to external relations and defence were etained by the British, and opposed by the
Indians.
d) How successful were the provincial elections held in India in 1937? Explain your answer [10].

Successful

For Hindus/Congress:
• Congress won majorities in 5 provinces and largest single party in 4 others
• Saw themselves as the sole party representing Indians
• Led to formation of cabinets in 8 provinces.
For Muslims/Muslim League:
• First major election fought and helped to unify the Muslim League
learnt a number of lessons –
• Led to improvements in organisation and planning
• Learnt that their support lay in areas where Muslims in minority rather than in majority they didn’t feel
threatened by Hindus.
• Recognition of an ‘image problem’ as its leaders were seen as not in touch with ordinary Muslims.
wealthy aristocrats relating to desperately poor and illiterate Muslims. Led to Congress atrocities in
some areas (Bande Matram, Wardha Scheme etc.)

Less successful

For Hindus/Congress:
• Congress alienated the Muslim League after the elections which led to difficulties in future negotiations
• Attitude of Congress and Nehru hardened Muslim views towards a separate nation.
The main reason why Congress rule (1937-39) was so hated was because of the introduction of the Wardha Scheme.’
Do you agree? Explain your answer. [14]
Explains 2 or more factors (Wardha Scheme to be included for max marks). Also produces a judgement or evaluation.

Congress Rule was hated by many Muslims for various reasons.

 Some were abused and some were killed by some Hindus. Hindi was enforced everywhere as the official
language and some organised attacks were made on Muslim worshippers in mosques.
 Bande Matram, adopted as an unofficial national anthem, had to be sung at the beginning of each day –
Muslims felt that it made degrading remarks about them and their faith.
 The Wardha Scheme was imposed. Under this, students had to bow before Gandhi’s picture each day.
Muslims saw this as offensive and some saw it as an attempt to convert them to Hinduism

What was the Wardha Scheme? [4]

A basic education scheme, introduced by Gandhi, made Hindi the sole language, removed religious education, made
cotton spinning by hand a part of curriculum. Students expected to bow before picture of Gandhi.
Do you agree that the celebration of the ‘Day of Deliverance’ in 1939 was justified? Give reasons for your answer.
[14]
e. However the question posed required candidates to consider both sides of the argument by answering whether to
what extent they believed the Day of Deliverance was justified. The vast majority answered yes, which was to be
expected, and supported their explanation with details of the atrocities experienced by Muslims during this time. As
a result a top Level 3 mark was achieved by most of these candidates but very few achieved a Level 4 mark simply
because they failed to consider issues on the other side of the argument.
Explains BOTH. Also produces a judgement or evaluation.

Justified
The Day of Deliverance was celebrated because Congress Rule had been hated due to the atrocities committed
against the Muslims. Bande Matram, a song in which degrading remarks were made against Muslims, was adopted
as the national anthem and had to be sung at the beginning of each day. Some Muslims were abused and killed by
Hindus. Hindi was enforced as the official language and organised attacks were made on Muslim worshippers in
mosques. The Wardha Scheme was imposed on Muslims. Under this scheme, students had to bow before Gandhi’s
picture each day. Muslims saw this as an attempt to convert them to Hinduism.

Not justified
The unity between the Muslim League and the Congress became irreconcilable and the chance of a future united
India even less likely. Congress had resigned partly because Britain stated that India was at war with Germany.
Therefore the ML were able to celebrate because Britain