I was unsure if I should put this in before or after 1900. Some of the demands for reform came before 1900, so the question might just as well be put there. The Indian National Congress originally did not support independence, but wanted reform, for instance that Indians should be able to get access to the higher positions in the administrations. Gradually, their demands changed to independence. Britain gave in to some demands, but far less than the moderate parts of the INC wanted. Instead they used traditional "divide and rule"-tactics to split the Indians along religious lines. This might have encouraged the divisions that lead to the creation of an independent Pakistan. But what if Britain had given in to the demands for reform from the Indian National Congress? This might have been in their interest. The reforms were after all reasonable and it would probably made the INC more loyal to the UK. It would still likely in the long run end in independence, but I would assume that it would change quite a lot how independence would be achieved. How would it affect the relations between the different religious groups? Would there still be an independent Pakistan?