Describe the outcomes of the Simla Conference in 1945.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Wavell (1) proposed that an Executive Council (1) should be set up to govern the country under the present constitution (1) until a new constitution could be agreed on
2. [1] the Executive Council would contain equal numbers of Muslims and Hindus (1) and be entirely Indian (1) apart from the Viceroy (1) and a member controlling defence (1)
3. [1] all the parties agreed with the principle of an Executive Council (1) but Jinnah pointed out that the Sikhs and others on the Council were bound to vote with the Hindus (1) which would mean a permanent Muslim minority (1)
4. [1] Jinnah also objected to the Congress suggestion that it could nominate Muslims as well as Hindus (1)
5. [1] the Conference therefore ended with no agreement
6. Target: AO1, AO2
7. Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 1.
8. Indicative content: it was the first major election fought which helped to unify the Muslim League
9. Indicative content: it meant that improvements in organisation, planning and campaigning were needed/identified
10. Indicative content: they identified areas of Muslim support and targeted campaign resources appropriately
11. Indicative content: the Muslim League recognised that their image needed to be improved in order to attract more Muslims
12. Target: AO1, AO2
13. Mark according to the level of response descriptors in Table 2.
14. Indicative content (may agree that the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were unsuccessful): the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms gave few concessions
15. Indicative content (may agree that the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were unsuccessful): in effect only 5.5 million Indians from a population of 250 million could vote
16. Indicative content (may agree that the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were unsuccessful): Gandhi and Jinnah criticised the proposals
17. Indicative content (may agree that the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were unsuccessful): a Council of Princes had little power
18. Indicative content (may agree that the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were unsuccessful): overall power was in the hands of the Viceroy who could still pass any law he chose
19. Indicative content (may agree that the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were unsuccessful): people expected more concessions from the British after the War
20. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): it is the first mention of self-rule for Indians
21. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): a national parliament was set up with two houses, the Legislative Assembly and the Council of State
22. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): the Legislative Assembly to have 145 members
23. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): the Council of State to have 60 members
24. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): there should be separate electorates for Muslims and Sikhs
25. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): the British believed more Indians were able to vote
26. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): a Council of Princes was set up
27. Indicative content (counter-arguments might include): a system of diarchy was introduced in the provinces