Act 1909: British Government's Policy

The question asks to identify the specific Act introduced by the British Government in 1909. The goal of this Act was twofold: to appease the moderate faction of the Indian National Congress and to gain the support of the Muslim community in India. This historical context is crucial for understanding the political manoeuvres of the time.

Appeasing Moderates and Muslims

The British administration often employed strategies to manage the growing Indian nationalist movement. By 1909, the political landscape included a significant moderate group seeking greater representation within existing structures, and a Muslim leadership concerned about minority rights.

• Moderates: This group generally favoured constitutional methods and cooperation with the British, seeking reforms rather than immediate independence. The Act aimed to give them a sense of participation.
• Muslim Support: The British sought to ensure the loyalty of the Muslim community, particularly after the partition of Bengal (though later annulled), by addressing their specific political concerns.

Understanding the Morley-Minto Reforms

The Act that precisely fits the description is the Morley-Minto Reforms, officially known as the Indian Councils Act of 1909.

• Introduction: Named after the Secretary of State for India, John Morley, and the Viceroy of India, Lord Minto, these reforms were enacted in 1909.
• Key Features:
  • Expansion of legislative councils (both Imperial and provincial).
  • Increased non-official members in these councils.
  • Introduction of a separate electorate system for Muslims, allowing them to vote only for Muslim candidates. This was a significant move seen as appeasing Muslim leadership but later criticized for promoting religious division.
  • Indirect elections were introduced for most non-official members.
• Objective Alignment: The reforms were designed to placate the moderates by expanding legislative participation while simultaneously securing Muslim support through the provision of separate electorates, a key demand of some Muslim leaders at the time.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Let's look at why the other options don't fit the context of the question:

• Montague-Chelmsford Reforms: Introduced in 1919, these reforms were much later than 1909 and introduced the system of dyarchy, a different set of changes.
• Indian Educational Reforms: While educational reforms did occur, they were not specifically aimed at appeasing moderates and Muslims in 1909 through political representation.
• Indian Civil Service Reforms: These reforms focused on the recruitment and structure of the civil services, not the broader political appeasement mentioned in the question.

Therefore, the Act introduced by the British Government in 1909 to appease the moderates and win over Muslims was the Morley-Minto Reforms.