Reforms in India/Acts/Commissions

Morley-Minto Reforms

'Indian Councils Act' 1909.
1905-Outbreak of violence after the partition of Bengal-Boycott of British goods.
1906-Congress demanded Home Rule.
John Morley-Member of Liberal Gov. Liberals were ready to make changes in India.
Lord Minto- Wanted to stamp out extremism after the partition of Bengal.
Indians were allowed to sit on the Imperial Legislative Council for the first time.
Direct elections for seats on the Provincial Legislative Council were introduced-Gave Indians a greater voice.
Muslims and other minority groups gained seperate representation

Didnt give Indians real influence in administration.
Divided Hindus and Muslims by treating them as separate communities.
Very few Indians could actually vote.
Established a principle of communism in Indian politics-Treating different religious groups as different political groups.

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In April 1918, E.S Montagu and Viceroy Lord Chelmsford produced a report suggesting reforms of the Indian Gov.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were announced August 1918 and were put into practice by the Government of India Act in 1919.
Many Indians welcomed the Reforms but were opposed by the ones who expected complete Home Rule.
Before the Acts were passed, much of the work promised by reforms was undermined by events elsewhere.
In an attempt to put down the terrorist outbreaks in the Punjab, the Rowlatt Acts were passed in March 1919.

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The Acts were passed in March 1919.
The Acts extended the Defence of India Act into peacetime.
They allowed the gov. of India to arrest and intern troublemakers without trial and allowed judges to try offenders without a jury.
Opposed by ALL Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council.
They came at a time when many Indians were expecting some form of self-goverment.
Hopes had been raised and destroyed by the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
Rowlatt Acts suggested that the British Gov. had no intention on relaxing its grip on India.
Bal Tilak the leader of the Indian National Congress was in London when the Acts were passed, thus allowing Gandhi to emerge as the real leader of Congress.
Gandhi announced a Hartal, a day of fasting and stoppage of work. This in turn ed to widespread protests and rioting,which in turn led to the Armitsar Massacre.

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Passed in December 1919. It put into effect the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. This set up the system which became known as the Dyarchy.
An Executive Council was set up to advise the Viceroy. It included the Viceroy,Commander-in-Chief and six other members (Inc.three Indians)
The Imperial Legislative Council was renamed to Imperial Legislative Assembly.
A Council of State was set up with 61 members. This was to review legislation passed by assembly.
The British members of the Council dealt with areas such as:defence,foreign relations and taxation.The Indian members dealt with: education,sanitation and agriculture.
In the Indian provinces an Executive Council appointed by the Governor would be responsible to a Legislative Council elected by popular vote.
Provincial Governments now had both Indian and British ministers.

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In 1927, the Simon Commission was apppointed to review the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
It recommended a responsible government for the provinces and a fedral India, but no changes in the central government.
The Commission included no Indians and led to mass protests. Congress boycotted all meetings.
As a result, in 1928 Jawaharla Nehru was able to persuade Congress to vote for total independence for the first time.
21st January was claimed as Independence Day and a Declaration of Independence was drawn up.

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