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Morley Minto Reforms Essay

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Morley Minto Reforms Essay
Use source 1,2 and 3 and your own knowledge. Do you agree with the view that the real purpose of the Morley-Minto reforms was to divide the nationalist ranks? Explain your answer using sources 1,2, 3 and your own knowledge (40 marks)

The establishment of the Morley- Minto reforms occurred in 1909 with the intention of creating a fairer and more effective form of governance and administration within in India, with the hope of pleasing the Indian people. The reforms were a result of change concerning both Britain and India. There was now a new liberal British government, who felt that there was a need for change and felt that they should carry out what was promised in the 1858 royal proclamation and offer more independence to India in regards to government. Significant change had also occurred in India, concerning the partition of Bengal, a decision that was made by Curzon. The partition of Bengal had increased tensions among the Indian people and had resulted in the Muslim and the Hindu communities both wanting changing. This resulted in the establishment of two separate parties, which were congress and the Muslim league.

Source 1 is a contemporary source written by Nehru in 1909 in a private letter to his son. The source was written at the time of the partition of Bengal and the publishing of the Indians council Act 1909. The provenance of the source suggests that the source will be biased as Nehru later went on to become nationalist leader and by 1919 he was a member of congress, so he would have held views that were supportive of the nationalist movement and self government as well as views that had a negative outlook to the British rule.

Source 1 agrees with the view that the purpose of the British rule was to divide the nationalist ranks. This is evident from the source as it mentions ‘destroying the influence of the Indian educated classes in national politics’, this suggests that the purpose behind the British introducing the Morley- Minto reforms was to

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