Topic

THE ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES 1930-1932

Question No. 1:
Why was the 2nd RTC of 1931 unsuccessful?
(7) June 2000 Q.3 b
he second RTC was held from September to December 1931. Mr. Gandhi attended as the only
representative of the congress. Mr. Gandhi claimed that the Congress represented the whole of India &
that there was no minority problem in the country. Muslim & other minority leaders didn’t agree.
Therefore, on account of Mr. Gandhi’s stubborn & unfair attitude the conference couldn’t achieve much
but its success was that it was declared that Orissa, Sind & NWFP will be given full provincial status with
governors. The minorities issue remained unresolved.
Question No. 2:
The RTC of the 1930s achieved little .Give reasons why you might both agree & disagree with this
statement.14) Nov.2000 Q.3 c

The 1st RTC was successful in that the Federal system for India was approved and a representative govt
should be introduced at provincial level. However Congress boycotted it and there was deadlock on the
federal system and the Minorities subcommittee couldn’t reach a conclusion.
However the 2nd RTC was successful in that the Congress attended but Gandhi was stubborn and
disagreed with most things. Sind was to be given a separate identity and a govt. The Minorities issue
remained unresolved.
In the 3rd RTC Congress boycotted the talks while Jinnah was in voluntary exile, and it became apparent
that the gulf was too great between two sides.
RTCs achieved little because no proper decision could be reached for independence of India, which was
the main demand of Indian people. Even dominion status was not proposed. But it did achieve
something in the sense that the voice of minorities was heard. Soon after the communal award was
given, the act of 1935 was enforced on the basis of the reports of these conferences. Federal system of
government and full responsible government was given in all provinces of India. Both the congress and
ML took part in the elections which followed the act 1935.
ANALYSIS:
Question No.3:
Why were the RTC held between 1930 & 1932?
(BEST ANSWER)
(7) Nov. 2001 Q.4 b
With the beginning of the 20th century, the British government had adopted the policy of winning the
sympathies & confidence of Indians by introducing the constitutional reforms in India. With the
growing political consciousness among the Indians, the need of such reforms had become as absolute
necessity.
The demand of responsible government became a controversial issue between the government & the
people of India. The British government sent for the said purpose a commission headed by sir john
Simon in 927. Its recommendations were rejected by congress & started civil dis obedience movement.
Nehru report in 1928 due to negation of Muslim demands failed to provide the basis of further
constitutional reforms in India. Quaid’s 14 points were also rejected by the Congress. Anyhow after the
failure of British, Hindus & Muslims efforts to formulate such constitutional reforms, acceptable to all
the elements of Indian politics, necessitated such concrete efforts which could determine the acceptable
or practicable constitutional reforms in India. Besides that new labour party government was more
determine to provide constitutional reforms to Indians. In pursuance of British Government policy, the
viceroy enlisted the cooperation of Indian representation leaders & invited Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Jinnah,
Pundit Moti Lal Nehru, Patel, Sir Tej Bahdur sapru. The congress leaders refused to participate in the
meeting called by viceroy emphasizing the implementation off Nehru report before any further
constitutional scheme to be discussed. However the leaders of other political parties showed great
enthusiasm in the viceroy meeting. The proposed conference was held in London in three sessions,
1930, 1931 – 1932. In the following discussion we see the proceedings of London conferences known as
RTC.
Question No. 4:
How successful were the RTC of 1930-1932? Explain your answer
(14) June 2005 Q.3 c

(BEST ANSWER)
The RTCs were held in London. The purpose was to consider the Simon Commission report & suggest
such reforms to solve India's constitutional problem, which could satisfy all people in the country. These
Conferences were, to some extent, successful. The first RTC held in November 1930, was not attended
by the Congress leaders because they had put healthy conditions for participating in the conference &
were in jail on account of launching a non-cooperation movement. However, it was agreed that the
federal government system should be adopted in India, & responsible & representative governments
will be set up in provinces. This was a great achievement because congress had suggested a ‘Unitary
Form’ of government in the Nehru report. Full responsible & representative government in provinces
was a good step forward for self-rule. (Secondly) the princely states also agreed to join the federation;
several committees were formed to discuss different issues.

The second RTC was held from September to December 1931. Mr. Gandhi attended as the only
representative of Congress. Mr. Gandhi claimed that the Congress represented India & that there was
no minority problem in the country. Muslim & other minority leaders disagreed. Therefore, on account
of Mr. Gandhi’s stubborn & unfair attitude, the conference couldn’t achieve much. Still, its success was
that it was declared that Orissa, Sind & NWFP would be given full provincial status with governors. The
Communal Award was also introduced to provide the right to vote for minorities
The third RTC was held in November 1932. It was again not attended by the Congress. Mr. Jinnah also
remained absent . This conference proved to be a formality. It broke up without achieving or agreeing to
anything of substance, but the most crucial part was that its failure led towards the formation of
Pakistan's scheme in 1933. Within a short span, it led towards the creation of Pakistan.

The RTCs were not successful because they failed to solve the constitutional problem of India. Congress
was not satisfied because the dominion status or self-rule was not granted as was promised by the
Viceroy in 1930. In addition to that congress remained absent in the first RTC and consensus were not
developed on the formation of constitution.

The problem of minorities was not resolved which left the Muslims dissatisfied. Low caste Hindus also
demanded separate electorates & proper representation. The new government of Britain & the new
Viceroy were not in favour of giving concession to India.

By and large, the conferences failed to achieve anything of importance, specifically the 3rd RTC. Because
in it, Indians’ strength showed their failure to make compromises. British decided to windup the series
and introduced their own compiled act.

But the conferences were successful in the sense that some important decisions were taken. For
example, the federal government system for India, representative government in provinces, separation
of Sind from Bombay & full provincial status for NWFP was agreed upon. These points were included in
the government of India act 1935.
Question No. 5:
The RTC of 1930 achieved more than those of 1931 & 1932. Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer.
(14) June 2007 Q.3 c
The 1st RTC was successful in that the Federal system for India was approved and a representative govt
should be introduced at provincial level. However Congress boycotted it and there was deadlock on the
federal system and the Minorities subcommittee couldn’t reach a conclusion.
However the 2nd RTC was successful in that the Congress attended but Gandhi was stubborn and
disagreed with most things. Sind was to be given a separate identity and a govt. The Minorities issue
remained unresolved.
In the 3rd RTC Congress boycotted the talks while Jinnah was in voluntary exile, and it became apparent
that the gulf was too great between two sides.
Question No.6:
Was it necessary to hold three RTC (1930-32)?
(7) June 2008 Q.3 b
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the British government had adopted the policy of winning the
sympathies & confidence of Indians by introducing the constitutional reforms in India. With the growing
political consciousness among the Indians, the need of such reforms had become as absolute necessity.
The demand of responsible government became a controversial issue between the government & the
people of India. The British government sent for the said purpose a commission headed by sir john
Simon in 927. Its recommendations were rejected by congress & started civil dis obedience movement.
Nehru report in 1928 due to negation of Muslim demands failed to provide the basis of further
constitutional reforms in India. Quaid’s 14 points were also rejected by the Congress. Anyhow after the
failure of British, Hindus & Muslims efforts to formulate such constitutional reforms, acceptable to all
the elements of Indian politics, necessitated such concrete efforts which could determine the acceptable
or practicable constitutional reforms in India. Besides that new labour party government was more
determine to provide constitutional reforms to Indians. In pursuance of British Government policy, the
viceroy enlisted the cooperation of Indian representation leaders & invited Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Jinnah,
Pundit Moti Lal Nehru, Patel, Sir Tej Bahdur sapru. The congress leaders refused to participate in the
meeting called by viceroy emphasizing the implementation off Nehru report before any further
constitutional scheme to be discussed. However the leaders of other political parties showed great
enthusiasm in the viceroy meeting. The proposed conference was held in London in three sessions,
1930, 1931 –

1932. In the following discussion we see the proceedings of London conferences known as RTC.

Question No.7:
Why was the 2nd RTC of 1931 unsuccessful? (7) Nov 2009 Q.3 a
LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement
They didn’t agree with one another.
(1)
LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons
Gandhi was difficult to negotiate with. (2–4)
LEVEL 3: Explains reasons
The Conference was unsuccessful because Gandhi refused to recognise the rights of the Muslims. He
also refused to accept that the 14 Points of the Quaid-e-Azam should be included in future discussions.
Gandhi was Unreasonable about the rights of minorities and refused to accept their demands.

Question No.8:
The First RTC of 1930 was the most successful one of all three. Do you agree or disagree? Give
reasons for your answer.
(14) June 2010 Q.3 c

LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement (1–2)

They were all very successful.
LEVEL 2: Description of RTC (3–
6)
There were three Round Table Conferences held in London. Both Gandhi and Jinnah attended them.
LEVEL 3: Explains successes OR failures of RTCs (7–10)
LEVEL 4: Explains BOTH (9–
13)
Successes
1st
Federal system for India approved
Sind to be given a separate identity and a government 2nd
Congress attended
Minorities entered into an agreement on their demands
Failures
1st
Congress boycotted it Deadlock
on federal system
Minorities’ sub-committee couldn’t reach a conclusion
2nd
Gandhi took a hard line and refused to recognise the problems of the minorities. Muslims took a hard
line against Congress to protect their position. The new British National government were less keen to
reach a compromise in India
3rd
Congress absent again
Gulf too great between the two
LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation. (14)

Question No. 9:

Was anything achieved by the Round Table Conferences of 1930 to 1932?

Explain your answer. (14) May/June 2013 Q. 3 c

LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement [1–2]

They all achieved something
LEVEL 2: Description of Round Table Conferences [3–6]
There were 3 Round Table Conferences held in London. Both Gandhi and Jinnah attended them LEVEL 3:

Agrees/disagrees and argues success or failures [7–10]

LEVEL 4: Agrees/disagrees with reference to both success/failures [9–13] Successes

1930 Federal system for India approved
Sind to be given a separate identity and a government 1931
Congress attended
Minorities entered into an agreement on their demands Failures
1930 Congress boycotted it
Deadlock on federal system
Minorities’ sub-committee couldn’t reach a conclusion
1931 Gandhi stubborn and disagreed with most things
Minorities issue unresolved
1932 Congress absent again
Gulf too great between two
LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation
Question No. 10:
Why were three Round Table Conferences held between 1930 and 1932?
(7)May/June 2014 Q. 3 b
LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement [1]
More than one meeting was necessary

LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons describes RTCs and/or why they failed [2–4]
Congress didn’t attend the first one and there was stalemate in the second.

LEVEL 3: Explains reasons [5–7]

The Indians had opposed the Simon Commission but a report was still produced. The British decided that
a RTC should be held in order to discuss the Commission’s recommendations on the future government
of India. It was realised that without the attendance of the Congress in the first RTC little progress on the
future of the sub-Continent could be achieved. Lord Irwin met Gandhi and made progress so that anther
Round Table Conference could be held. In this Gandhi took a hard line refusing to recognise the problem
of the minorities and also claiming to represent the Congress alone which he said spoke for the whole of
India. The Conference broke up amidst threats that the British would impose a solution if agreement
couldn’t be reached. It was then agreed that a third Conference would be held.

Question No.11:

What does Source B tell us about the negotiations during the Round Table Conferences between 1930
and 1932?
Oct 2016 Q. 1 b 5 marks
ANSWER:
LEVEL 3: Inference(s) supported by detail from the source and/or contextual knowledge [4–5]

•The driver of the car is John Bull who represents British interests at the negotiations.
•The car is travelling over bumpy ground which represents the way that negotiations went during
these years – difficult negotiations.
•The Indian in the car who represents their negotiators wants to take control from the British
who are reluctant to give up control.
•It suggests that the British feared that progress towards change might happen too quickly, hence the
reference to the brake on the car.
•The source explains why the political leaders in India were reluctant to attend the Round Table
Conferences because it shows that the decisions had already been made by the British, in the way that
John Bull wants to keep control of the car.

Question No.12:

How did the name ‘Pakistan’ originate?

June 2017 Q. 3 a 4 marks

e.g.
• Chaudhry Rehmat Ali devised the name.
• Stated in pamphlet ‘Now or Never’ in 1933.
• By end of the year most Muslims within India knew the name and its importance.
• Punjab, Afghania (NWFP), Kashmir, Sindh and Balochistan.
• Muslim League thought his ideas were impractical and ignored by Jinnah.
Question No. 13:

Why was the Second Round Table Conference of 1931 unsuccessful?

May june 2017 Q. 3 b 7

Level 3: Explains reasons

Explains one reason for 5 marks and two (+) reasons up to a maximum of 7 marks.

e.g.

Gandhi did not accept that the 14 Points of the Quaid-e-Azam should be included in future
discussions.

Gandhi did not accept the demands about the rights of minorities.

The Conference was unsuccessful because Gandhi refused to recognise the rights of the Muslim.

5–7

Level 2: Identifies reasons

Identifies one reason for 2 marks and two (+) reasons up to a maximum of 4 marks.
e.g.
The difficulties negotiating with Gandhi.
ideas that Gandhi expressed were not accepted by
all. 2–4
Level 1: Simple statement(s)
A general answer lacking specific knowledge.
e.g.
They did not agree with each
other. 1
No evidence submitted or response does not address the question 0
Question No. 14:

Was the First Round Table Conference of 1930 more successful than the two that followed in 1931
and 1932? Explain your answer.
May June 2018 Q. 3 c 14 marks
Level 5:
Explains with evaluation As top of Level 4 plus judgement or evaluation 14

Level 4:
Explains success AND less success 9–13 (Two explanations, one on success and one on less success,
are worth 9 marks.
Additional explanations awarded up to 13

marks) e.g.
Success

1st
• Federal system for India approved as the Princes declared they would join a future federation as
long
as their rights were recognised.

2nd
• Congress attended which was a step forward, although this had been made possible only through
talks
between Gandhi and the Viceroy Lord Irwin.

Less success

1st

• Congress boycotted the talks and without them representing the majority of Indians, progress
could
not be
mad
e.

2nd

• Gandhi was seen as being stubborn, taking a hard line in the talks, and refusing to recognise
the problems of the minorities. He advanced the argument that he spoke for all Indians with
which Jinnah disagreed.

3rd
• Congress was absent again as Gandhi and Nehru had been imprisoned due to the renewal of
the non- cooperation movement, so Congress boycotted the talks.

Level 3:

Explains success OR less success 7–10

(One explanation is worth 7 marks. Additional explanations awarded up to 10
marks) See exemplars in L4

Level 2:

Identifies / describes Round Table Conferences 3–6 (One identification / description is worth 3 marks.
PAPER 1 HISTORY SECTION II PAST PAPERS QUESTION &ANSWERS

Extra marks are awarded for additional identification / descriptions up to 5

 marks) e.g.
• There were three Round Table Conferences (RTC) held in London
• Both Gandhi and Jinnah attended some of the RTC’s but not necessarily at the same time
• Congress did not attend the first RTC and began non-cooperation programme
• The Muslim community felt the first RTC was a success
• At the first RTC the Princely States declared they would join a future federal system for India
• The British agreed at the first RTC that representative government should be introduced at
provincial level
• Congress attended the second RTC
• Agreement that the NWFP and Sindh should be made provinces was made at the second RTC
• Gandhi was seen as refusing to recognise the problems of the minorities.
• Congress boycotted the third RTC
• The Princes also boycotted the third RTC
• Jinnah went into voluntary exile • Nothing of importance was agreed at the third RTC

Level 1:
Simple statement(s) 1–2 (One simple statement is worth 1
mark. An answer with additional simple statements is
worth 2 marks) e.g.
• They were all successful
• They made little progress

No evidence submitted or response does not address the question 0

Question No. 15:

What was the Communal Award?

Oct . Nov. 2018 Q. 3 A 4 marks

Level 1:
One mark for each relevant point, two marks for a developed statement 1–4

e.g.
• 1932 • Announced by Ramsey MacDonald after the Second Round Table Conference
• Right of separate electorate recognised for all minorities
• Principle of weightage applied
• Unpopular with the Muslim community as it reduced their majority in Punjab and Bengal.
• The Muslim community accepted it
• Congress rejected it
• Gandhi protested by fasting
• Untouchables were recognised as a mainstream member of Hindu society.
Question No. 16 :

Who was Rahmat Ali?

May June 2019 Q. 4 a 4 marks

Level 1:

One mark for each relevant point,

two marks for a developed statement

1–4 e.g.

• In 1930 he left India to study law at Cambridge.

• Attended conferences in London on the position of the Hindu and Muslim communities in
India.

• Believed in a separate Muslim homeland.

• In 1933 he produced a pamphlet, ‘Now or Never’, which argued in favour of partition.

• Became popular amongst most Muslim groups during the 1930s.

• Formed the Pakistan National Movement.

• Developed the name of Pakistan.