The First Round Table Conference (1930-1931)

The conference was held in the aftermath of the Simon Commission Report and growing unrest in India, particularly the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. The British realized that without consulting Indian leaders, constitutional reforms would not be accepted.

There were 89 delegates in total from India and Britain. Notable attendees included:

• Muslim League: Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Aga Khan III, A.K. Fazlul Huq.
• Hindu Mahasabha: B.S. Moonje and M.R. Jayakar.
• Depressed Classes: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Liberals: Tej Bahadur Sapru.
• Princely States: Several Maharajas and Nawabs.

The most significant aspect of the First Round Table Conference was the absence of the Indian National Congress (INC). Most Congress leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, were in jail due to the Civil Disobedience Movement, and they boycotted the conference.

Due to the absence of the Congress (the largest political party in India), the conference could not reach any conclusive agreement on major constitutional issues. However, the idea of an 'All-India Federation' was proposed and generally agreed upon by the attendees.