Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)
Context:
- British promised "responsible government"
(more Indian involvement) in 1917.
- Act came in 1921, named after Edwin Montagu (UK
Secretary) and Lord Chelmsford (Viceroy).
Key Features:
- Central vs. Provincial Power:
- Separated subjects into Central (e.g.,
defense, foreign affairs) and Provincial (e.g.,
education, health).
- Provinces could make laws on their subjects but
British still controlled key areas.
- Dyarchy in Provinces:
- Provincial subjects split into Transferred (managed
by Indian ministers accountable to councils) and Reserved (controlled
by British Governor).
- Failed because ministers had no real power over
key areas like police or finance.
- Bicameral Legislature & Direct Elections:
- Central legislature now had two houses:
- Council of State (Upper House)
- Legislative Assembly (Lower House).
- Some members elected directly by people (but
voting rights limited to wealthy/educated).
- Indians in Executive Roles:
- 3 out of 6 Viceroy’s council members had to be
Indian.
- Separate Electorates Expanded:
- Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians, and
Europeans could vote only for their own community’s candidates.
- Limited Voting Rights:
- Only people with property, tax payments, or
education could vote (less than 3% of Indians).
- Other Changes:
- Created High Commissioner for India in
London to handle Indian affairs.
- Set up Public Service Commission (1926)
to recruit civil servants.
- Separated Central and Provincial budgets.
- Simon Commission Promise:
- A commission would review the Act after 10 years
(led to Simon Commission in 1927).
Simon Commission (1927):
- All-British team sent 2 years early (1927)
to study reforms.
- Indians boycotted it ("Go Back Simon" protests)
because no Indian members.
- Recommendations (1930):
- Abolish dyarchy.
- Give provinces more autonomy.
- Create a federation of British India + princely
states.
- Keep separate electorates.
- Led to Round Table Conferences (1930-32)
but no agreement.
Communal Award (1932):
- British PM Ramsay MacDonald gave separate
electorates to Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes).
- Gandhi’s Protest: Went on a hunger strike,
saying this would divide Hindus.
- Poona Pact (1932):
- Congress and Dalit leaders (like Dr. Ambedkar)
agreed to:
- Keep joint Hindu electorate (no
separate voting for Dalits).
- Reserve seats for Depressed Classes in
legislatures.
Why Important?
- Dyarchy: First attempt to share power with
Indians (but failed).
- Simon Commission: Exposed British disregard
for Indian voices.
- Communal Award & Poona Pact: Deepened
religious divides but showed Indian unity against British divide-and-rule.
Simplified Summary:
- 1919 Act: Let Indians handle some provinces,
introduced voting (but limited).
- Simon Commission: Britishers-only team rejected by
Indians.
- Communal Award: British tried to split Hindus and
Dalits; Gandhi forced a compromise (Poona Pact)