Simla Conference re-enacted

[In 1945, the Viceroy of India, Lord Wavell, held a conference at Simla, summer capital of the Raj, to discuss the future of India. The conference, which came to be known as the Simla Conference, was attended by leaders of both the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League.]

Students enrolled in the course Religion and Politics in South Asia are currently 'attending' an important conference at Simla in the foothills of the Himalayas. [photo:' Muslim League representatives' listen attentively ...] There they are putting perspectives that will ultimately help the British Viceroy to decide on the shape of post-1945 India.

This engagement follows an intensive period in which they have surveyed the historical lead-up to the event via intensive readings and discussion cemented in a 'Civil Service Examination'. This also comes after they have made submissions to take particular 'parts', been appointed to role play roles (many of which are specific historical personalities) and then followed-up with pointed 'autobiographical' research.

The structure of this event and its participant list echoes real events. It has been substantially ‘fed’ by plans, resources and pedagogies developed by Ainslee Ambree and Mark Carnes. These have been supplemented and adapted to local needs by Faculty of Asian Studies colleagues Ashvin Parameswaran and McComas Taylor. Working as a team, they have added roles and resources, assessments and other activities. Plus they have developed a supporting website calculated to effectively place this activity as the centerpiece of their Religion and Politics of South Asia B course.

Full report at http://www.anu.edu.au/asianstudies/data/Simla.doc


Observers are welcome to attend remaining Conference Cessions, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Please email Dr McComas Taylor for further information.