Indian Independence 1914-1947

Indian National Congress (INC)

• Gandhi's Imprisonment:

  • Following the Salt March and his 3rd Satyagraha, Gandhi was imprisoned.

  • As a result, the INC boycotted the first Round Table Conference (RTC).

• Gandhi-Irwin Pact:

  • Following negotiations, Gandhi agreed to attend the second RTC.

• Second Round Table Conference:

  • Gandhi rejected the rights of other Indians to represent communities, leading to a lack of agreement.

• Communal Award and Gandhi's Response:

  • Gandhi protested the Raj's Communal Award, which proposed separate electorates for minorities, including the Dalits (Untouchables), with a fast-until-death hunger strike.

• Poona Pact:

  • The Dalit leader, Ambedkar, negotiated with Gandhi at Yeravda prison, resulting in the Poona Pact.

• Government of India Act (GOIA) 1935:

  • The British imposed the GOIA 1935, incorporating the Poona Pact.

  • The INC faced a dilemma whether to participate in elections or boycott them.

• 1937 Elections:

  • The INC decided to participate and achieved significant success, electing over 1500 candidates.

  • The INC controlled the government in 8 of the 11 provinces.

Muslim League (ML) & Minorities

• Round Table Conferences:

  • Jinnah attended the RTCs but, along with Ambedkar and other minorities, was frustrated by Gandhi’s rejection of minority representation.

• Communal Award of 1932:

  • The failure of the RTCs led the British Raj to introduce the Communal Award unilaterally.

  • It proposed separate electorates for minorities, including Dalits.

• Poona Pact:

  • Gandhi's opposition to the Communal Award led Ambedkar to negotiate the Poona Pact.

  • The pact was incorporated into the GOIA 1935. The Dalits relinquished separate electorates in exchange for a greater share of reserved seats in the legislature.

• GOIA 1935 and Minority Representation:

  • The GOIA provided separate electorates for minority groups.

  • It transferred powers in the 11 provinces to elected Indian legislative bodies, empowering Muslims in majority provinces.

• 1937 Elections and Muslim League Performance:

  • The Muslim League performed poorly, securing only 109 representatives.

• Jinnah's Response:

  • Jinnah returned to India in 1934 and focused on promoting Muslim identity.

  • He encouraged the use of Urdu and promoted Muslim festivals like Tipu Sultan Day.

British Raj

• Labour Government and Constitutional Reform:

  • The Labour Government in Britain was interested in exploring constitutional reform for India and proposed the Round Table Conferences.

• First Round Table Conference:

  • The 1st RTC concluded with an agreement, but without INC involvement, the agreement lacked legitimacy.

• Gandhi-Irwin Pact 1931:

  • Irwin negotiated with Gandhi, leading to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

  • Terms of the Pact:

    • Gandhi would attend the 2nd RTC and end the 3rd Satyagraha.

    • The Raj would release non-violent satyagraha prisoners and restore their property.

• Criticism of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact:

  • Churchill and the IDL (Indian Defence League) condemned the pact as treating Gandhi and the Viceroy as equals.

• Failure of the RTCs and Repressive Policy:

  • The 2nd and 3rd RTCs failed, leading to Gandhi's imprisonment and Viceroy Willingdon's repressive policies, including outlawing local INC associations.

• Communal Award:

  • The Communal Award was announced unilaterally to protect minority interests by awarding separate electorates.

• Government of India Act 1935:

  • The GOIA 1935 created a new constitutional settlement:

    • It abolished Diarchy, transferring previously ‘reserved matters’ (e.g., revenue) to elected bodies.

    • The Viceroy retained responsibility for defense and foreign affairs.

    • The electorate was expanded to 35 million people (10% of the population).

• 1937 Elections:

  • The INC entered provincial government across India.