Topic 3: Consultation and Confrontation, 1930-42

Question 1

When were the round table conferences?

Answer 1

First round table - 12 November 1930
Second Round Table - 7 September 1931
Third Round Table - 17 November 1932

Question 2

What were the Conferences and what did they entail?

Answer 2

They were a series of meetings in three sessions called by the British government to consider the future constitution of India. They were essentially a series of negotiations that attempted to find a middle-ground between the parties -or rather that is how they were advertised.

Question 3

Why is the first conference )regarded as a failure? (12 Nov 1930

Answer 3

Although many principles on reforms were agreed upon, not much was implemented and the Congress Party carried on its civil disobedience. The Conference was regarded as a failure. The British government understood the importance and the need for the Congress Party to make any decision on India’s political future. Thus - further conferences proceeded.

Question 4

Why is the second conference regarded as a failure? (7 September 1931)

Answer 4

The second round table conference was deemed a failure because of the many disagreements among the participants. While the INC claimed to speak for the whole of the country, other participants and leaders of other parties contested this claim. The Communal Award on August 16, 1932, was implemented because of this and it specified how minority groups would be treated and represented. Gandhi was not happy. This however is mainly a failure on the behalf of Congress. As the Muslim League was more than happy to collaborate with the British - and the British were just as glad to support division in India. Therefore - dishonest and private talks started happening between the Muslims and the British. The congress was fighting for unity - but not everyone in India wished for unity

Question 5

Why is the third conference regarded as a failure? (17 November 1932)

Answer 5

It failed because of the opposition from other parties representing British India such as the Muslim League, princely states and Ambedkar. They had their own vested interests and the announcement of the Reservation of seats for the untouchable class acted as the nail in the coffin. The separation started growing more and more and the conferences which were advertised as an attempt to find a middle ground - divided Indian politics as never before.

Question 6

What have the round table conferences accomplished?

Answer 6

Lord Irwin, the viceroy of India, met with Gandhi and concluded the Delhi Pact on March 5, 1931. Gandhi agreed to end the ongoing civil disobedience, and Irwin agreed to release most of the political prisoners. The British parliament passed the Government of India Act in August 1935. The act set up an India Federation, which was to be given control of parts of the Indian government while other parts remained under the control of the British such as the military and foreign politics.

Question 7

What was the Communal Award - (16 August 1932)

Answer 7

After a failed series of conferences and the British outlined believing that the IC could not represent the whole of India. On August 16th, 1932 The communal award was pushed. It outlined how minority groups, especially the Muslims and the untouchables, would be represented. The award did have the provision that it could be overruled if congress and the minority groups could come to an agreement on their own.

Question 8

Gandhi Reaction to communal award (16 August 1932)

Answer 8

According to Ambedkar, Gandhi was ready to award separate electorates to Muslims and Sikhs. But Gandhi was reluctant to give separate electorates to scheduled castes. He was afraid of division inside Congress and Hindu society due to separately scheduled caste representations. In short, Gandhi feared that it would disintegrate Hindu Society.

Question 9

Muslim Reaction to communal award (16 August 1932)

Answer 9

Muslim reactions to the award were primarily positive because they had finally achieved a state of separation and had became more independent from congress. And had also gained separate electorates. Muslim league really liked that :)

Question 10

How the underclass Delits reacted. Yervada Poona Pact, (September 24, 1932),

Answer 10

Poona pact (September, 1932) was signed between Ambedkar and Gandhiji.It gave the depressed classes reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils, which were to be voted in by the general electorate. It allowed the lower class to advance their interests and the Congress to be more united after the communal award

Question 11

What were the reactions to the Yeravda Pact.(September 24, 1932),

Answer 11

The Poona Pact was an agreement that came about when Gandhi announced his fast unto death, This showed how threatened and vulnerable the Congress had to be to result to the communal award. Futheron the British also had a negative expiriance as there were fears of Gandhi being Martyrd and risking an uprising in India. This had strained the relationship between India and Britain greatly and the fears of a second fast was a real one.

Question 12

What was the Governement of India Act? 2nd of August 1935

Answer 12

The Goverment of India act was meant to give more internal governability in India. Some of the features that were provided were: Abolition of provincial dyarchy and introduction of dyarchy at centre. Abolition of Indian Council and introduction of an advisory body in its place. Provision for an All India Federation with British India territories and princely states.

Question 13

What were the Hindu reactions to the Goverment of India Act 2nd of August 1935-?

Answer 13

The Indian Act of 1935 was not liked nor was even appreciated by the Indian people. This
was opposed for a number of reasons. One was that the G.G was head of federation and could
exert special powers in the reserved subjects. All the ultimate control was in the hands of the
viceroy and G.G. The act appeared to grant real power to the people of India, but in reality things
were a little different. Provincial governor also had special powers in the two reserved areas.
They had the authority to dismiss ministers and even the right to dismiss the whole
administration and rule by proclamation during a period of emergency. However the governors
were asked to act upon the advice of Ministers, which seemed to be very beneficial.

Question 14

What were the Muslim reactions to the Government of India act (2nd of August 1935)?

Answer 14

The Muslim League reactions to the Goverment of India act varried on many different points. The provision of an All India Federation had seemed like a terryifing thought as Hindus are the majority in India and thus would mean that the Muslims might go back to having no representation. In addition the opporutinity to have no dyarchy was great in places that were Muslim dominated - because they were finally represented. However in Hindu dominated regions the Muslims were suffering and being marginalised.

Question 15

What was the prince state reaction to the government of India act? (2nd of August 1935)

Answer 15

Princes were feeling threatened. Due to there being more democracy in the country there felt like there might be an uprising at any point. This was mainly paranoia. Thus they were completely against having dyarchy abolished and had been more careful with any actions they had taken afterwards. Which led them to make conservative decisions against the Raj

Question 16

What was the overall success of the Government of India Act? (2nd of August 1935)

Answer 16

The GOI act was a major step towards the independence of India and helped in the reorganization of the states such as Sindh being separated from the province of Bombay. Provincial autonomy created a really tense atmosphere in India. Ministers were not absolutely free in the matter of running their deparments.

Question 17

Was the Government of India Act perhaps too ambitious?

Answer 17

The Act itself had many promises and laid down the constitution for a free India which was a promise that the British did not want to make/uphold - however it was necessary to appease the masses. Since the promise of allowing self-rule in India had no due date. The British decided to make a dishonest promise and had put themselves on a ticking bomb.

Question 18

What were the 1937 provincial elections?

Answer 18

Provincial elections were held in British India in the winter of 1936-37 as mandated by the Government of India Act 1935. Elections were held in eleven provinces - Madras, Central Provinces, Bihar, Orissa, United Provinces, Bombay Presidency, Assam, NWFP, Bengal, Punjab and Sindh.

The Indian National Congress emerged in power in eight of the provinces - the exceptions being Punjab and Sindh. The All-India Muslim League failed to form the government in any province.

Question 19

What was the Hindu Stance after the provincial elections

Answer 19

The Hindus were extremely dominant in these elections due to their popularity amongst the general population and their sheer number.

Question 20

What was the Muslim Stance after provincial elections?

Answer 20

The Muslim won in the places where Muslims were majorities and had gotten some representation in politics which was a steady improvement from their previous position.

Question 21

How were the minorities treated in Hindu provinces and what did that mean for Muslims?

Answer 21

Muslims were greatly mistreated and marginalised in Hindu provinces which had led to their fears of a Hindu dominated India being justified. And created a Muslim nationalistic movement with the rise of Jinnah.

Question 22

How did the congress look after the Government of India Act

Answer 22

The Hindu Congress had become more and more divided as time passes with people becoming more or less radical and Gandhis fears of a divided congress became more and more real as time progressed. This was no “young hooligans” this was a wide divide in how to approach politics with separate electorates and provinces.

Question 23

What was Jinnah’s approach to the divided congress?

Answer 23

Jinnah had started targetting the young blood in India - going to universities and setting up the next generation of Muslim activists. Furthermore, he had also had many conversations with the viceroy and the British government which had made him a very renowned person who was dangerous for the Congress.

Question 24

How did India react to the war

Answer 24

The Congress had decided to offer the Raj an ultimatum - they had to choose between aid with the war effort and independence - or no war contribution and relinquishment of all governing spots in India. Which the British had declined

Question 25

What was the outcome of the Hindus relinquishing government spots?

Answer 25

The Raj was not too distressed by this choice as there was a plan B - The Muslim league which immediately took over the constitutions and had formed better bonds with the British on the basis of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”.

Question 26

Who represented the Hindus after the congress had left?

Answer 26

Hindus remained with no one besides the Muslim league and some radical groups such as the Bose’s terrorist group. Therefore this power vacuum that had been left because of the war had empowered the Muslims and other more dangerous groups.

Question 27

A proposition for separate countries between Muslims and Hindus?

Answer 27

The Muslims in India were often seen as one with India - and many thought this would remain the same as Jinnah had never wished for a separated state(in the past) but propositions of a new state started arising which disturbed the Congress as they had always wished for a united state.

Question 28

Were there any attempts at finding a middle ground between parties?

Answer 28

Nehru had sent letters to Jinnah in attempts of finding a middle ground for a united constitution against the British - especially after the Hindus declined in power. And Jinnah had responded with his conditions which were that - Muslims had to be represented by Muslims and there should be a separation between Hindus and Muslims based on religion in politics.

Question 29

What happened to Hindu officials after relinquishing governmental posts?

Answer 29

After they had given the ultimatum - all Hindu representatives including Gandhi had been imprisoned. To which Gandhi had replied with a state of emergency not stopping violence and telling the country “to do as they see fit”.

Question 30

Who participated in the war?

Answer 30

The war efforts mainly consisted of Muslim and there were more Muslims than Hindus fighting for the Raj