The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is also known as the:  

The correct answer is Morley-Minto Reforms.

Key Points

• The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is commonly referred to as the Morley-Minto Reforms.
• The Act was named after the Secretary of State for India, John Morley, and the Governor-General of India, Lord Minto.
• It introduced the concept of separate electorates for Muslims, allowing them to elect their representatives independently.
• The Act significantly expanded the legislative councils both at the central and provincial levels.
• It marked the beginning of communal representation in Indian politics, which later became a contentious issue.

Additional Information

• Separate Electorates:
  • Separate electorates allowed specific communities, such as Muslims, to vote for their representatives exclusively.
  • This system was meant to address the political concerns of minorities but led to divisive politics in the long run.
• Expansion of Legislative Councils:
  • The Act increased the number of members in legislative councils at both central and provincial levels.
  • Members could now discuss the budget and suggest amendments, though their powers remained limited.
• John Morley's Role:
  • John Morley, as the Secretary of State for India, believed in reforms to address Indian demands for representation.
  • He emphasized the importance of including Indians in governance while maintaining British control.
• Lord Minto's Contribution:
  • Lord Minto, the Governor-General, played a key role in implementing the reforms on the ground.
  • His policies earned him the title "Father of Communal Electorates" due to his role in introducing separate electorates.
• Impact on Indian Politics:
  • The Morley-Minto Reforms were a response to growing demands for Indian representation in governance.
  • Although they introduced reforms, they also sowed seeds of communalism, which influenced later political developments.