ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES
HOW SUCCESSFUL WERE THE THREE ROUND TABLE
CONFERENCES OF 1930-327
Causes:
Due to the rejection of Simon Commission that was the British effort for the making of
new constitution for India. The Indians had opposed the Simon Commission but a report
was still produced. The British decided that a RTC should be held in order to discuss the
Commission's recommendations on the future government of India.
Due to the difference of opinions in India, they were divided after Nehru Report and
Jinnah's 14 Points.
To seek Indian's opinion for the new constitution which British promised to bring after 10
years of Government of India Act 1919.
FIRST RTC (1930)
Success:
Muslim League attended with Jinnah, Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Sir Agha Khan.
The Federal System of India was decided in the future constitution. Sindh and Bombay
to be separated
Prince of the princely states declared that they will join the Indian federation.
Failure:
Congress started Noncooperation Movement after the rejection of Nehru Report and
boycotted the conference.
Congress demanded a guarantee that the agreement during RTC will be implemented.
Objectives of RTC were not achieved due to the absence of the largest political party of
India Congress, the political crises continued. 2nd RTC announced.
Gandhi Irwin Pact:
Viceroy Irwin and Gandhi signed a Pact to make sure the presence of Congress in RTC
Gandhi to stop Noncooperation Movement immediately and attend the next RTC.
In return, the British Government release all the arrested leaders of Congress and not
take any action against Congress
2nd SECOND RTC (1931)
Success:
Attended by all major political parties of India including the Muslim League and
Congress, Princes and other minorities leaders
Muslim League attended with Jinnah and Allama Iqbal.
Sindh and NWFP got provincial status.
Failure:
Gandhi's stubborn attitude, he declared that Congress is the only representative of India
including Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi did not accept the demands for the rights of
minorities.
The British government was led by a weak coalition party, not keen to solve Indian
problems. They warned Indians that if Indians failed to resolve the matter, they will
implement their laws.
Jinnah got disheartened by Indian politics and quit politics, went in self-exile to England
Communal Awards:
The British Government announced a separate electorate for Muslims and all other
minorities in the future constitution.
Muslims were awarded reserve seats and weightage
It reduced the Muslim's majority in Bengal and Punjab as Muslims were more than 1/3 in
both provinces
THIRD RTC (1932)
Jinnah went in exile, Sir Agha Khan attended form Muslim League
Congress did not attend and restarted noncooperation in protest of Communal Awards,
Congress boycotted the talks again as Gandhi and Nehru had been imprisoned due to
the renewal of the non-cooperation movement
Attended by few delegates only
IMPORTANCE OF ALL THREE RTCS
Muslim League showed political strength and supported Two Nation Theory
Congress realized the political power of Muslim League,
British knew the demands of Indians and considered them in making of new constitution
of India in 1935.
CAIE QUESTIONS
(a) What was the Communal Award?
Nov 2018
(b) Explain why there were three Round Table Conferences between 1930 and 1932.
Nov2019, Nov 2020
(b) Why was the Second Round Table Conference of 1931 unsuccessful?
June 2017
(b) Why was it necessary to hold three Round Table Conferences (1930-32)
June 2014
(c) Was the First Round Table Conference of 1930 more successful than the two that followed
in 1931 and 19327 Explain your answer.
June 2018
(c) How successful were the three Round Table Conferences of 1930-1932? Explain your
answer.
June 2015
(c) Was anything achieved by the Round Table Conferences of 1930 to 19327 Explain your
answer
June 2013
ALLAHABAD ADDRESS 1930
At Muslim League's annual meeting in Allahabad in 1930; Allama Iqbal reviewed the
social and political conditions of India. In his presidential address he said that Muslims
were a nation and had the right that they got the identification and passed their lives to
the Islamic principles.
He gave the idea and concept of a separate homeland in this address and called all
Muslims to work towards achieving a separate homeland. Iqbal proposed the division of
India on religious bases and suggested that Muslim majority areas Sindh, Baluchistan,
NWFP and Punjab to be separated from rest of the India as these provinces are Muslim
majority areas.
It was not supported by Jinnah and many other prominent Muslim leaders. Jinnah more
believed in the protected rights of the minorities of India.
Importance
Iqbal gave the Idea of a separate Muslim homeland and strengthened Two Nation
Theory.
It gave Muslims a goal to achieve as Muslims were uncertain how to defend their
political and cultural rights.
Later Jinnah and other Muslim politicians carried this idea and it became the base of the
Pakistan Resolution and then Pakistan Movement.
CAIE QUESTION
(a) Describe what happened at Allahabad in 1930.
June 2021
(a) Who was Dr. Allama Iqbal?
Nov 2010
(c) Why was Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal asked to chair the Muslim League at Allahabad in
1930?
Nov 2017
4 MARK QUESTITON
Describe Allahbad Address 1930?
Muslim League's annual meeting in Allahbad 1930; Allama Iqbal reviewed the social and
political conditions of India. Iqbal proposed the division of India on religious bases and
suggested that Muslim majority areas Sindh, Baluchistan, NWFP and Punjab to be separated
from rest of India as these provinces are Muslim majority areas. It was not supported by Jinnah
and many other prominent Muslim leaders.
What was Now or Never pamphlet?
The "Pakistan Declaration" was a pamphlet written and published by Choudhary Rahmat Ali on
28 January 1933. The title was- Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?. The word
"Pakstan" was used for the first time and the pamphlet was circulated to the delegates of the
Third Round Table Conference in 1932.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT 1935
Success
Federal System with more provincial autonomy. Some provincial autonomy was granted
which meant that every provincial government was allowed to devise and carry out their
own programs 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.
Sindh and Orissa two new provinces were created, NWFP got full provincial status
Voting rights of Indians increased from 2% to 25%. It gave more political power to the
Indians finally resulted in the withdrawal of the British. However, it did provide additional
rights for the local population to vote - some 5 times the previous numbers at 35 million
in total
Less success
Finance, foreign policy, communication, justice and military were reserved for British in
center. This was a drawback for Indian groups who wished to gain more control over
their own affairs, key decisions relating to external relations and defense were retained
by the British which was a drawback
Voting rights of Indians increased from 2% to 25% but still it was lesser than the demand
as only 25% of the population were eligible to vote.
Although ministers in the provinces appeared to have control over all departments but
the real power lay with the British Governors. Appointed British governor could dismiss
elected Indian ministries it meant that the real power lay with the governors.
CAIE QUESTIONS
(b) Explain why there wat opposition to the Government of India Act of 1935
June 2020
(b) Explain the importance of the Government of India Act of 1935 to the future of the
subcontinent.
Nov 2016
(b) Why was there so much opposition to the Government of India Act of 19357
Nov 2012
