Indian Policy And Administration (year 13) Flashcards
How did Edwin Montagu (secretary of state) and Lord Chelmsford (Viceroy) want colonial policy to be structured in India?
As a ‘dyarchy’ - system of limited/‘responsible’ self government
- Montagu-Chelmsford reforms
What happened under the 1919 Government of India act?
. Viceroy maintained control of major areas, his council was still purely appointed, but it had to defend its actions and decisions before Legislative council
. Legislative council split:
- lower house (Legislative assembly), 104/144 members elected
- upper house (council of State), 34/60 members elected
. Local government run by elected Indian ministers from provincial councils, responsible for health, education and agriculture
What was Britains expectations vs reality in response to 1919 GOI act?
Expected weakened support for Indian Nationalism with these concessions after INC criticised British rule
Reality: the reforms didn’t go far enough for the Indian population, concessions were so limited
What was the main problem with the Simon Commission?
Didn’t include any Indian representation
When was the Simon Commission, what did it do?
1929-30, reviewed 1919 GOI act and recommended:
. Federal system of gov across India, incorporating provinces and princely states under British rule
. Provinces to get more power
. Defence, internal security and foreign affairs to be remain under British viceroy, overall British control
What was Britain’s aim in Simon Commission?
Establish greater British control in India to resist the incredibly growing Indian nationalist movement
When were the two round table conferences for India in London?
1930 and 1931
Which of the round table conferences did Gandhi attend and why?
The 1931 one, representing the Congress party
He was imprisoned following salt March so couldn’t be in 1930 one
How were the round table conferences a failure?
No agreement was reached.
Mistake: British rejected dominion status for India due to their racial prejudice about competence of non-white leaders as well as concerns for India’s strategic and economic importance to Britain
- stupid as Britain then offered this status later when they needed it and were rejected, and ended up having to give up India, crumbling the Empire
What is a federation?
A group of societies that have joined together, usually because they share a common interest (probably not the case with India)
