In 1905, on the resignation of Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Lord Minto was appointed Viceroy and Governor-General of India, retiring in 1910. In this, he followed in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, the first Lord Minto. When John Morley as Secretary of State for Indiawrote to Minto arguing that "Reforms may not save the Raj, but if they don't, nothing else will", Minto replied:
...when you say that "if reforms do not save the Raj nothing else will" I am afraid I must utterly disagree. The Raj will not disappear in India as long as the British race remains what it is, because we shall fight for the Raj as hard as we have ever fought, if it comes to fighting, and we shall win as we have always won
Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, GCVO, PC (November 2, 1877 – July 11, 1957) was the 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He was one of the founders and the first president of the All-India Muslim League, and served as President of the League of Nations from 1937-38. He was nominated to represent India to the League of Nations in 1932. He was instrumental in the creation of Pakistan
The deputation which consisted of 36 members with Aga khan as their leader, was received by Lord Minto on 1 Oct 1906. The address demanded among other things , 1. employment of a due proportion of Mohammedans in Government service;2. abolition of competitive examinations for recruitment of services ;3. appointment of Muslim judges in every High Court and Chief Court;4. communal electorate for municipalities; 5. Muslim electoral colleges for election of Legislative Councils.
The foundation of the Muslim League and Minto's concessions had the effect of dividing the Hindus and Muslims into almost two hostile political camps.
The Act of 1909, and the regulation made thereunder, pved the way for subsequent division of India.
