Lord Irwin (1926-1931)

Introduction #

Lord Irwin, also known as Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, was a prominent British Conservative politician in the 1930s who served as the Viceroy of British India from 3 April 1926 to 18 April 1931. Major events in the Indian Independence War occurred under his reign, solidifying his reputation in Britain as one of the most capable Viceroys to rule India. On April 3, 1926, Lord Irwin was named India’s 30th Viceroy and Governor-General. The most unrest in Indian politics occurred during this time. 

Significant Events During His Tenure #

1927: Simon Commission #

According to the terms of the GOI Act 1919, the Simon Commission visited India in 1927 to assess the state of the governance system and make recommendations for further reform. 

• Such a commission was supposed to be announced in 1929, “after 10 years of the GOI Act,” but the conservative English administration accelerated the announcement date in light of India’s turbulent political situation. 
• There were no Indians on this commission, and its seven members were from three different British political parties. Congress was given a great opportunity to set goals thanks to this.
• They objected, claiming that the purpose of the Simon Commission was to deny them the opportunity to have a say in how their nation’s constitution was decided. 
• The Congress adopted a resolution in the Madras session calling for a complete and total boycott of the Simon Commission.

1928: Nehru Report #

The Simon Commission made two trips to India (1928 and 1929), and in 1930 it turned in its final report. Indians were uninterested in its suggestions. 

• These congressmen were given the task of drafting the Indian constitution by Lord Birkenhead, the secretary of state for India. 
• In February and May of 1928, the political leaders accepted the challenge and convened an All-Party Conference.  
• A committee headed by Motilal Nehru was chosen by all the major parties to design the Constitution. 
• The document, titled Nehru Committee Report, was presented to the Lucknow summit of all parties on August 28, 1928.  

Resolution Of Poorna Swarajya #

There had been some division among Congress as a result of the Nehru report. While some leaders desired control over India, others desired total freedom. 

• A Poorna Swarajya Resolution for total independence was adopted by Congress at the Lahore session of 1929, which was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru. 
• According to this resolution, a campaign of civil disobedience would be started along with a boycott of the Central and Provincial legislatures and upcoming elections.

CDM: Salt Satyagraha And The Dandi March #

As a component of the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Dandi March on March 12, 1930, marked the start of the Salt Satyagraha. 

• From Sabarmati Ashram to the seashore close to the town of Dandi, Gandhi led the Dandi march. Thousands of people joined him on this 24-day adventure that spanned 390 kilometres.  
• On April 6, 1930, he arrived in Dandi and broke the salt prohibition. Millions of Indians participated in the commotion as CDM was formally inaugurated at this time.

1931: Gandhi-Irwin Pact #

Following the First Round Table Conference’s failure, 

• Gandhi was urged to meet with the Viceroy by Indian Liberal Party members who supported the British government, including Tej Bahadur Sapru, C. Y. Chintamani, and Srinivasa Sastri. Gandhi and Irwin’s conversations were scheduled. 
• To create a suitable situation, many congressmen were released.

1928–1931 Lahore Conspiracy Case #

Three HSRA Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Jai Gopal, and Sukh Dev members planned to assassinate Scott, the police chief, in retaliation for the murder of Lal Lajpat Rai. 

• However, they opened fire on DSP J. P. Saunders, who died instantly. In order to avoid being recognised, Bhagat Singh and the others promptly escaped Lahore. 
• He also trimmed his beard and hair. Furthermore, the HSRA planned to detonate a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly to demonstrate against the Defence of India Act, of 1915 

1930 Chittagong Armoury Raid #

On April 18, 1930, there was an attempt to break into the Chittagong armoury in Bengal, which housed the weapons of the Police and Auxiliary forces. 

• The plan was to seize Chittagong’s two main armouries before demolishing the telephone and telegraph offices. Assassinations of Europeans were to occur next. 
• This conspiracy was carried out by 65 persons acting in concert with the Indian Republican Army. 
• All the revolutionaries assembled outside the police armoury after everything was finished, and leader Surya Sen saluted the troops, raised the national flag, and declared a Provisional Revolutionary Government.

Evaluation Of His Tenure #

Irwin made an effort to handle political concerns with perseverance and patience. But in the midst of extraordinary political turmoil, the situation was so opaque and complicated that conventional diplomacy and creativity seemed ineffective.

• Before the India Act was passed, there were claims from Hindus, Muslims, the Anglo-Indian community, extremists, and native states that needed to be resolved.
• The fact that each of these communities was led by a party with polar opposite views on the intercommunal status to be recognised in the new constitution only served to deepen the situation.
• The Viceroy wanted to hear from a variety of interests, and Congress, the most organised group, represented them, but it was practically impossible to appease all of Congress’ sections.
• Irwin’s method involved barricading all of the Congressmen at one spot and beginning talks with Gandhi alone at another. The plan was effective. On March 5, 1931, the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was formally signed.

Conclusion #

Irwin held Mahatma Gandhi in the highest regard and before his departure, he publicly proclaimed his admiration for Gandhi on a number of formal occasions. Irwin was less concerned with politics and more with academics. He declined the office of foreign secretary in 1932 in favour of taking up the role of master of the Middleton Hunt. Irwin was eventually convinced to take the position of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.