The Shimla Conference was convened by the British government in June–July 1945 at Shimla under the Viceroy Lord Wavell. It aimed to resolve the political deadlock in India and discuss the Wavell Plan for Indian self-government.
Background
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The failure of Gandhi–Jinnah Talks (1944) and the Desai–Liaqat Pact (1945) showed the inability of Congress and the Muslim League to cooperate.
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With the Second World War ending, Britain wanted Indian support for the post-war settlement.
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The new British Labour Government (elected in July 1945) was keen on finding a political solution in India.
Wavell Plan (Basis of the Conference)
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Reconstitution of the Viceroy’s Executive Council with equal representation for Hindus and Muslims.
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All members (except the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief) to be Indians.
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Separate representation for caste Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and depressed classes.
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The Executive Council would function like a cabinet, with decisions taken jointly.
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Future constitution to be framed by Indians themselves after the war.
Proceedings of the Shimla Conference
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Attended by leaders of the Congress, Muslim League, and other communities.
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Congress (led by Abul Kalam Azad) agreed to the principle of Indianization of the Executive Council but opposed giving the Muslim League exclusive representation of all Muslims.
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Muslim League (led by Jinnah) insisted it alone had the right to nominate all Muslim members, rejecting any Muslim representation from Congress or other groups.
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Deadlock occurred as neither side compromised.
Reasons for Failure
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Congress rejected the Muslim League’s monopoly claim over Muslim seats.
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The League refused to share Muslim representation with Congress Muslims or others.
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British could not reconcile these conflicting demands.
Impact
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Failure of the Shimla Conference deepened the Congress–League divide.
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Strengthened the Muslim League’s claim as the sole spokesman of Muslims.
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Exposed Britain’s difficulty in reconciling communal demands.
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Directly led to the 1945–46 elections, which confirmed the League’s dominance among Muslims and the Congress’s dominance among Hindus.
Key Takeaway
The Shimla Conference (1945) failed due to the Muslim League’s insistence on exclusive Muslim representation and Congress’s refusal to concede it. Its collapse pushed India closer to partition, as communal politics became the central issue in negotiations.