- Increased the number of elected members in the Imperial Legislative Council and the provincial council
- However, most of the elected members were elected indirectly
- The reformed councils still enjoyed no real power, being merely advisory bodies.
- Introduced separate electorates under which all Muslims were grouped in separate constituencies from which Muslims alone could be elected. This was aimed at dividing the Hindus and Muslims. It was based on the notion that the political and economic interests of Hindus and Muslims were separate.
- This later became a potent factor in the growth of communalism
- It isolated the Muslims from the Nationalist Movement and encouraged separatist tendencies
- The real purpose of the reforms was to confuse the moderate nationalists, to divide nationalist ranks and to check the growth of unity among Indians
- Response of Moderates
- They realized that the reforms had not granted much
- However, they decided to cooperate with the government in working the reforms
- This led to their loss of respect among the nationalists and masses
RAS PDF and Printed Notes for RAS Prelims and Mains Exam
