The Simla Conference of 1914 was a crucial meeting between the British Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge, and leaders from the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League. It aimed to discuss political reforms for British India. However, the conference failed to achieve consensus between the Congress and the Muslim League, setting the stage for future political developments and contributing to the tensions that eventually led to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms in 1919.