Indian Council Act 1909: Divide and Rule The Indian Council Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced separate electorates for Muslims to accommodate demands from the Muslim League. This allowed only Muslims to vote and contest in elections within their electorate. While Indians formed a majority in provincial legislative councils for the first time, elected members were still a minority due to British-nominated loyalists. Women had no voting rights under this act, nor did it grant Congress's demand for budgetary control.
Government of India Act 1919: Dyarchy at Provinces The Government of India Act 1919 aimed at establishing self-governing institutions but without specifying timelines. It introduced dyarchy at provincial levels where governance was split between elected Indians (handling transferred subjects like education) and governors appointed by Viceroys (controlling reserved areas such as law enforcement). For the first time, some women gained limited voting rights based on educational qualifications while separate electorates continued for Muslims.
Significance of Acts Leading Up To Federalism Debate Both acts highlighted Britain's divide-and-rule strategy through measures like separate electorates that alienated communities further apart rather than uniting them democratically inclusively .