Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)

                           Morley- Minto Reforms were introduced in 1909 during the period when Lord Minto was the Viceroy of India. The reforms envisaged a separate electorate for Muslims besides other constitutional measures. 

                          The government thereby sought to create a rift within the Congress by winning the support of the moderates on the one hand, and favour of Muslims against Hindus on the other.

                          To achieve the latter objective, the reforms introduced the system of separate expectorates under which Muslims could only vote for Muslim candidates. 

                         This was done to encourage the notion that the political, economic and cultural interests of Hindus and Muslims were separate and not common. Indian political leaders were however dissatisfied by these reforms.