India - Policy, Administration and Nationalism Flashcards
How many Indians were enlisted in combat/already serving in WWI by November 1918?
827,000
How many Indians died in WWI?
About 75,000
How did involvement in war foster nationalism amongst Indians?
- Increased Indian self-esteem: if they could fight on behalf of Britain, they should have autonomy because they deserve it and in return
- WWI talk about importance of democracy and self-determination
What was the 1917 Montagu Declaration?
- Claimed India would have eventual self-government; ‘self-governing institution’
- Gave no timeline
- To gain Indian loyalty during war
What was the Rowlatt Act? When?
- February 1919
- Replace repressive provisions of wartime Defence of India Act (1915) by permanent law
What were the reactions to February 1919 Rowlatt Act?
- All 22 non-official Indian members of Imperial Legislative Council opposed bill
- Jinnah resigned from the council as appointed officials ensured the act was passed
- Gandhi declared a national hartal on 6th April 1919
What were the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms/Government of India Act 1919?
- System of Dyarchy where governmental responsibilities divided
- Gave Indians more of a say on a provincial level
- Imperial Exec Council: 6 members with 3 appointed Indians
- Lower Legislative Assembly had 106/146 members elected; 61 elected by wealthiest individuals
What responsibilities were given to provincial administrations vs central government?
- Provincial: collecting tax, excise duties and revenue from stamps
- Central: income tax, custom duties, salt tax, postal communications and railways, defence and foreign affairs
What is a caveat to the M-C Reforms?
- Although it was the first time Indian politicians held ministerial power overseen by a majority Indian council….
- National franchise was based on property tax: 150m population, 5m could vote for provincial councils, 1m for Leg. Assembly and 17,000 for Council of State
What were reactions to the M-C Reforms?
- Too little too late
- Lukewarm reaction
What was the consequence of the Rowlatt Act?
Congress declared another Hartal for 8th April
What was the lead up to the Amritsar Massacre?
- 10th April: a mob killed 5 Englishmen and so Punjab provincial gov reqwuired military assistance and control
- 11th April: General Dyer’s troops arrived in Amritsar banning all public meetings and arrested local politicians
What and when was the Amritsar Massacre?
- 13th April 1919
- Call for a public meeting on 13th April
- 10,000-20,000 Punjabis crammed into square enclosed by high walls when Dyer arrived with Indian troops
- Without warning, Dyer started firing into thickest groups
- Shot about 1650 rounds for 10 minutes only stopping when they ran out of ammunition
- 379 killed and 1200 wounded
What and when was the Simon Commission?
- 1927-30
- Brought forward government review of dyarchy
- Lord Birkenhead recommended federal system of government; give provinces more power; VR maintain defence, internal security and foreign affairs
What did the Simon Commission lead to?
- Lord Birkenhead appointed a review group without any Indians and so deliberately limited progress
- Commission arrived in 1928 and so Congress and ML boycotted all meetings, protested and demos
- Nehru Report….