What were the terms of the Indian Councils Act of 1909?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] (a) Reward each correct statement with 1 mark. 2 marks can be awarded for a developed statement. Candidates might refer to: Also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909. The Imperial Council increased to 60 members by adding more non-official members. The British retained control. The Central Executive Council increased by 60 members and could discuss matters of importance and advise on government policies including the budget. Provincial Councils also increased to 50 members in larger provinces and 30 members in smaller provinces. Muslim representatives to the Councils to be elected by a separate Muslim-only electorate.
2. [1] (b) LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement It wanted to be free.
3. [2-4] (b) LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons Bengal was too large to govern as one province.
4. [5-7] (b) LEVEL 3: Explains reasons Of the 54 million people in Bengal, 42 million were Hindus. It seemed sensible to divide up the province on religious grounds. It was a very large province that created significant administrative difficulties. The British felt that partition of the province would make it easier to administer, especially at the time of a new British government in power. The Hindu community saw it as a policy of ‘Divide and Rule', an attempt by the British to work against them.
5. [1-2] (c) LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement Yes it was.
6. [3-6] (c) LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons for violence Yes because the Rowlatt Act introduced trial without a jury and detention without bail. Another reason for violence was the Amritsar massacre.
7. [7-10] (c) LEVEL 3: Explains Rowlatt Act reason OR other reasons
8. [9-13] (c) LEVEL 4: Explains Rowlatt Act reason AND other reasons The Rowlatt Act This caused uproar in India because it appeared to go against the central principles of British justice: trial by jury and safeguards against illegal imprisonment. The measures were seen as being repressive, especially as people could be made to live in a particular place and were stopped from attending meetings. Strikes and demonstrations took place and the British made matters worse by introducing further measures such as banning anti-British publications. The Amritsar massacre This occurred in 1919 when a large group of Indians were shot dead and injured, including women and children, for holding an illegal meeting. Although General Dyer was reprimanded for ordering the shooting, his standing in the British media was enhanced which offended Indians and resulted in further violence. The Government of India Act This implemented the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms in 1919, retaining most of the power in India with central government, at a time when Indians following their efforts in the First World War had been expecting greater delegation of power. These measures were opposed, in some cases violently, and a deep mistrust of the British government grew. Fundamentalist groups grew during the early 1920s increasing communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
9. [14] (c) LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation