What was the first round table conference?

The first Round Table Conference was held from November 12th 1930 to January 19th January 1931. The first round table conference was established to discuss some of the constitutional reforms . This round table conference discussed numerous issues pertaining defence, electorates etc. It was conducted in London from 1930 [November] to 1931. The 1930 round table conference is determined as a failure, though constitutes to be an important event in Indian history.

How many people attended the first round table conference?

Fifty-eight political leaders from British India attended the first Round Table Conference. Sixteen delegates from the native princely states. The Congress did not attend the meeting, they continued with the Civil Disobedience movement after the conference. The participants of the first round table conference were Indian political leaders, princely state representatives, and delegates from major political parties in the UK.

Where did the first round table conference take place?

The First Round Table Conference took place in London from 1930 to 1931. Numerous issues were discussed in the round table conference pertaining to the federal government, province constitution etc. Though many of the laws were agreed upon unanimously, few of them were implemented.

Who were some of the pro-British leaders who joined the first round table conference?

The first Round Table Conference was attended by some pro-British members like Tej Bahadur Sapru, Srinivasa Shastri, etc. The Indian National Congress preferred not to join the conference, and many of its members were in jail and imprisoned.

What were the issues discussed in the first round table conference?

The first round table conference conducted in London discussed numerous issues pertaining to the federal government. The provincial constitution, and the bringing forth of the separate electorate by Dr. B.R Ambedkar . The conference also discussed the idea of the All India Federation. The princely states agreed to be in favor till the time their sovereignty is preserved.

What was the major cause of the failure of the first round table conference?

The major objective of the first round table conference could not be fulfilled because of the absence of the leaders of the Indian National Congress. No final decision could be made because of their absence. The Indian National Congress boycotted the round table conference because most of the leaders were in jail due to the civil disobedience movement.

What happened in the first round table conference?

The first round table conference was held in London to discuss the reforms in the constitution. This conference holds a place in Indian history because of the equal status granted to the Indians and Britishers for the first time. Numerous issues were discussed in this conference such as the federal, separate electorate for untouchables, constitution of the province etc. Though, the objective of the conference could not be accomplished because the Congress leaders boycotted the conference .

Why did the Congress boycott the first round table conference?

The absence of Congress in the first round table conference marked its failure as no decision could be taken. Many of the leaders of the Indian National Congress were in prison due to the Civil Disobedience Movement. Another reason for Congress not participating in the first round table conference is that they were not happy with the report of the Simon Commission .

Which leader did not accept the invitation of the first round table conference?

The leader such as the Mohandas Karamchand Gadhi did not accept the invitation of the round table conference . Gandhi is renowned for initiating the Civil Disobedience Movement. The leaders of the Indian National Congress also did not take part in the conference, due to which the conference was a failure.

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First Round Table Conference – Participants, Issues, Effects

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The first round table conference took place in London from November 1930 to January 1931. During the early 1930s, the Labour Party-led British government held a series of three round table conferences to discuss and implement constitutional reforms in British India. The participants of the first round table conference comprised representatives of native princely states, and British Indian political leaders, delegates from major political parties of the UK. Various issues were discussed during the first round table conference related to the federal government and the constitution of the province.

Though the first round table conference proved to be a failure as Congress continued with the civil disobedience movement, it forms an integral part of Indian history. This article will assist the candidates in gaining insight and a deeper understanding of the topic. The aspirants preparing for the IAS exam can get complete knowledge of the first round table conference by downloading the PDF.

Table of content

1. What was First Round Table Conference?
2. Background of First Round Table Conference
3. Participants of First Round Table Conference
4. Issues Discussed in First Round Table Conference
5. Effects of First Round Table Conference
6. First Round Table Conference- Outcomes
7. First Round Table Conference UPSC Notes

What was First Round Table Conference?

The round table conferences were held in order to devise reforms in the constitution. It took place in London from November 1930 to January 1931. There were varied participants in the round table conferences who belonged to the native princely states.

The Congress leaders boycotted the conference. The British delegates, representatives from native princely states, and representatives from United Kingdom were a part of the first round table conference as established for altering and modifying the Constitution. Numerous issues were discussed in the conferences,such as the perspective of the All India Federation. Dr. B.R Ambedkar also presented the idea of having separate electorates for the untouchables.

Background of First Round Table Conference

There were numerous reasons that led to the first round table conference and meeting of the Britishers and Indians. Check here the points that will take you through the history of the first round table conference.

An increase in the number of members of the British polity put forth the demand for India to be granted dominion status.
In India, the freedom movement was leading further, with the principles and ideology of Gandhi for swaraj or self-rule.
The conferences were in accordance with Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s request to the Viceroy of India Lord Irwin and British Prime Minister James Ramsay MacDonald and the Simon Commission report.
The 1930 round table conference is remarked to be bringing the Indians and Britishers the status of being equals for the first time in history. The inaugural conference embarked on 12th November.

Participants of First Round Table Conference

The Indian National Congress had chosen to boycott the meeting. Numerous INC leaders were in jail due to taking part in the civil disobedience movement. Check here the list of the participants of the first round table conference.

58 British Indian political leaders.
16 representatives who were representing the native princely states.
16 delegates related to the three major political parties established in the United Kingdom.
Government of India representatives were among the British Indians who participated in the first round table conference.

Issues Discussed in First Round Table Conference

Several issues were discussed in the first round table conference such as the notion of an All-India Federation. The Muslim League assented to this idea. The princely states favor it till the time their internal sovereignty was enshrined. Take a look at the points illustrated here for gaining knowledge of the other issues that were discussed in the first round table conference.

Federal government
The constitution of the province
Minorities Defence Services in the NWFP services and Sindh
The Franchise Executive’s Legislative Responsibilities
Dr B.R. Ambedkar brought forth separate electorates for the ‘untouchables’

Effects of First Round Table Conference

The First Round Table Conference was conducted on January 19th 1931. The conference agreed on the major reform principles that were discussed. Some of the laws were executed. But, after the discussions as well the civil disobedience movement was continued by Congress. The importance of the Congress party in the decision-making was acknowledged and realized by the British government.

First Round Table Conference- Outcomes

Eight plenary sessions were conducted along with one final closing session at this Conference. The planned federal structure of India included concerns pertaining to defence, concerns pertaining to Sindh, and NWFP. It also discussed the defense-related concerns of Burma and minority issues were all considered. However, the absence of the Indian National Congress in the 1930 round table conference brought negligible results.

All India Federation

Tej Bahadur Sapru brought forth the All-India Federation during the First Round Table Conference. The majority of the parties along with the princely states assented to the idea till the point their domestic authority is not getting vulnerable. The Muslim League was also in favor of this plan. The British wanted to establish a representative government in India at the provincial level in India, but they agreed later not to establish representative government.

Demand for Separate Electorate by Dr B.R. Ambedkar

Dr B.R Ambedkar brought forth the demand for the Untouchables to be provided electorates. The first round table conference assented to the idea. They also suggested that the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Suppressed Classes, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans should also be represented.

The First Round Table Conference frames out to be an integral and eminent part of Indian history.
The failure of the Conference made them realize how things can be handled better. After the First round table conference failed, numerous leaders of the Indian Liberal Party, specifically the pro-British members like C. Y. Chintamani, Srinivasa Sastri, Tej Bahadur Sapru, requested Gandhi to meet with the Viceroy.
The meeting between Gandhi and Irwin had been planned. To create a favorable situation, many congress leaders were released.

First Round Table Conference UPSC Notes

This topic is essential for UPSC aspirants and forms an integral part of the UPSC syllabus. The candidates can get complete knowledge of all the factors pertaining to the topic in order to solve the questions in the stipulated time period.

The aspirants can get access to the notes for bringing forth a methodical strategy to solve the questions. It is highly recommended to the candidates to practice the sample questions to gain insights into the types of questions asked in the exam.

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