Question

Who were the key figures behind the recommendations that formed the basis of the Government of India Act, 1919?

• A. Lord Linlithgow and Edwin Montagu
• B. Lord Irwin and Edwin Montagu
• C. Lord Chelmsford and Edwin Montagu
• D. Lord Curzon and Edwin Montagu

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Lord Chelmsford and Edwin Montagu

Government of India Act, 1919: Key Architects and Recommendations

Background:

• The Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was a significant legislative act passed by the British Parliament.
• It aimed to introduce a gradual increase in self-governing institutions in British India, responding to growing nationalist sentiments.
• The Act was based on the reports and recommendations put forth by key officials during that period.

Key Figures:

• Lord Chelmsford: He served as the Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921. His tenure coincided with a critical period demanding constitutional reforms.
• Edwin Montagu: He was the Secretary of State for India from 1917 to 1922. He played a crucial role in shaping British policy towards India during this time.

Core Recommendations and Features of the Act:

• Diarchy: The most prominent feature introduced was 'diarchy' at the provincial level. This meant the division of subjects into two categories:
• Transferred Subjects: Handled by Indian ministers responsible to the provincial legislative councils (e.g., education, public health, agriculture).
• Reserved Subjects: Managed by the Governor and his executive council, who were not responsible to the legislature (e.g., finance, law and order, irrigation).
• Bicameral Legislature: The Act established a bicameral central legislature, comprising:
• Legislative Assembly (Lower House): Directly elected, with a majority of elected members.
• Council of State (Upper House): Had both elected and nominated members, with a majority of nominated members.
• Introduction of Direct Elections: The Act expanded the franchise and introduced direct elections for both the central and provincial legislatures.
• Communal Electorates: It extended the principle of separate electorates (introduced by the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909) to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.
• Public Services Commission: Recommended the establishment of a Public Services Commission to recruit civil servants.
• Separation of Powers: Attempted to separate legislative and executive functions to some extent.

Significance:

• The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were a step towards responsible government in India, although limited in scope and effectiveness.
• They were met with mixed reactions from Indian leaders, with some deeming them 'inadequate, unsatisfactory, and disappointing' (as per the Indian National Congress's Amritsar Session resolution, 1919).