INTRODUCTION
From 1916 to 1921, Lord Chelmsford (1868–1933) was India’s Viceroy and Governor General. He attended Winchester and Magdalen Colleges in Oxford and was born on August 12th, 1868. In 1916, he succeeded Lord Hardinge as Viceroy of India. After the British army was routed in Mesopotamia, he arrived in India, where unrest increased as the First World War dragged on.
Significant Events During His Tenure
1916 Lucknow Session
The 1916 Lucknow Session was presided over by Ambica Charan Majumdar. Moderates and extremists came together in this session for the first time since Surat’s split in 1907, partly because of Annie Besant’s efforts.
- Indians were requested to suggest administrative changes for the post-World War I era by the viceroy. The Muslim League had only recently emerged as a marginal political movement.
- During this session, a deal was made between the Muslim League and the Congress that added a few things without thinking about the repercussions.
- These included ideas for separate electorates for communities, a weighting mechanism for minority participation, and a proposal to grant Muslims one-third of the seats in the national legislature.
1917 Montagu Declaration
The goal of British policy for the Indian administration was articulated in a speech delivered by Edwin Samuel Montagu, the “Secretary of State for India,” in the House of Commons of the British Parliament on August 20, 1917.
- “Increasing association of Indians in every branch of administration, and the gradual development of self-governing Institutions with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible governments in India as an integral part of the British Empire,” was the title of this declaration.
1919: Government Of India Act
The advent of responsible government and the “end of benevolent despotism” are the goals of this action. It covered reforms for ten years, up until 1929.
- The distinct preamble of the Montague-Chelmsford report contained the report’s main concepts.
- The areas of lawmaking that belonged to the central and provincial governments were defined by this statute. The provincial subjects were split into reserved and transferred categories.
- Additionally, it established a bicameral legislature with two houses at the centre, the Legislative Assembly and the Council of the State, and allowed for the inclusion of three Indians in the governor general’s council, which has six members.
Rowlatt Act Of 1919 And The Rowalt Committee Of 1918
In 1918, Lord Chelmsford established a sedition committee headed by Justice Rowlatt to investigate political terrorism across the nation, particularly in Punjab and Bengal.
- This law gave the government the right to hold anyone accused of terrorism for up to two years without a hearing.
- It established a special panel of three judges from the high court to expeditiously hear cases involving terrorism, but there was no court of appeals above that panel.
Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-22
Mahatma Gandhi started the non-cooperation movement (NCM) on August 1st, 1920, as a means of peacefully and non-violently protesting the Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre.
- NCM’s programme includes picketing liquor stores, boycotting British goods, adopting Swadeshi, protesting in front of government buildings, councils, and educational institutions, as well as encouraging initiatives like Khadi and Charkha.
- Gandhi also combined the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements to build the bond between Muslims and Hindus.
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Conclusion
His persistent requests for self-government throughout his time as Viceroy were met with Chelmsford’s agreement and the Foreign Office was persuaded to send Edwin Samuel Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, to discuss the possibilities of change. They were in charge of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which gave Indian local representative organisations more power and opened the road for a free India. In an effort to strike a delicate balance between reform and preserving the British hold on India, Chelmsford implemented tough anti-terrorism laws against strong resistance from Indian reformists.
