Indian Councils Act 1909

The Indian Councils Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, was a law that expanded Indian participation in governance. It increased the size of legislative councils and introduced limited elected Indian members. Notably, it allowed Indians to elect some representatives and granted them separate Muslim electorates, meaning Muslims could elect their own representatives. The Act aimed to involve Indians more in decision-making but kept significant power in British officials’ hands. It marked a step toward constitutional participation, laying groundwork for future reforms, while also reflecting British efforts to divide and manage India through communal representation.