The Simla Deputation 1906

In fact Simla Deputation was in line with a kind of thinking that was developing amongst the Muslims during that time i.e. they had certain interests and they must stand up to protect their rights and unless they do that that objective would not be achieved. The Simla Deputation of 1906 was the first systematic attempt on the part of the Muslims to present their demands, to the British government and to seek their acceptance. The Simla deputation comprised 35 Muslims from all over India. It was a galaxy of Muslims leaders from all the provinces, from one end of India to the other and it had Muslims of all background. Therefore, when in 1906, this deputation called on the Viceroy, it was the most representative Muslim delegation.

                 Lord Minto                                            Sir Agha Khan

 This delegation was led by Sir Agha Khan and Nawab Mohsin ul Malik served as a secretary and this delegation met the Viceroy in Simla that's why it was called as Simla Deputation. The memorandum which they presented was a kind of demands which were the uppermost in the minds of the Muslims at that time. The delegation emphasized that the Muslims should not be viewed simply in numerical terms but they should take into account their historical importance and the kind of contribution the Muslims had made to British India and keeping in view that importance they should work towards accommodating their demands. The delegation emphasized that democratic principles`````` should be introduced by keeping in view the peculiar conditions and circumstances of India. The diversity, the fact that there are different kinds of people living in India and the fact that the Muslims consider themselves to be a separate entity, all these things had to be taken into account because the India was not a homogenous amalgamated or monolithic political identity. It was a political identity comprising diversity, divergence in view, divergence in outlook and when you introduce some kind of system then these realities had to be accommodated. In view of this submission they presented some demands:  

• Representation must be more than their population because of their importance.

• Separate electorate.

• Reservations of Muslims seats in government jobs.

• Special share in Municipal or district boards University senates and syndicates.

• Muslim representation in Viceroy Executive Council.

• Muslim University at Aligarh.

The Viceroy was sympathetic towards the demands. The Simla Deputation encouraged the Muslims to launch struggle for their rights parallel to the Indian National Congress but it required an organized platform.  

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