The Indian Councils Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, was an act of the British Parliament that introduced significant changes to the Indian legislative system.
The act expanded the powers of Indian legislative councils and allowed for the election of some members of the councils, albeit on a limited franchise. It also introduced separate electorates for Muslims, which was a significant concession to the Muslim community, and increased the representation of Indians in the central and provincial governments.
The Morley-Minto Reforms were significant because they represented the first major attempt by the British government to give Indians a greater role in their own governance. They were the result of years of pressure from Indian nationalists, who had been calling for greater representation in the government and an end to British rule.
However, the reforms fell short of the expectations of many Indian nationalists, who had been hoping for more sweeping changes. The limited franchise meant that only a small proportion of the Indian population was able to vote, and the elected members of the legislative councils did not have much power. In addition, the separate electorates for Muslims were seen by some as a divisive measure that could lead to increased communal tensions.
Overall, the Morley-Minto Reforms were an important step towards Indian self-government, but they also highlighted the continued dominance of the British in Indian affairs. The reforms were later superseded by the Government of India Act of 1919, which introduced more significant changes to the Indian legislative system.