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Questions and Answers
What was the primary purpose of the Simon Commission, established by the British government in 1927?
To investigate constitutional reforms in India
What was the composition of the Simon Commission in terms of political party representation?
Four Conservative, two Labour, and one Liberal member of the British Parliament
How did the Indian National Congress respond to the Simon Commission in its 1927 meeting?
It resolved to boycott the Commission
What was the reaction of the Indian people when the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928?
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What notable incident of protest occurred in Lahore on October 30, 1928, against the Simon Commission?
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What was the slogan displayed on placards and signboards during the protests against the Simon Commission in Bombay?
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What event triggered the beating of protestors and the subsequent death of Rai on November 17, 1928?
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What was the main recommendation of the 'Nehru Report' submitted in September 1928?
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Why was the Simon Commission formed earlier than scheduled in 1929?
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What was the reason behind the boycott of the Simon Commission by Indian political parties?
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What did the Simon Commission's report recommend in its May 1930 report?
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What was the outcome of the first provincial election in India in 1937?
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Study Notes
Simon Commission 1927
Background
The Simon Commission, also known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was a seven-member body established by the British government to investigate constitutional reforms in India. The commission was headed by Sir John Allsebrook Simon and was officially known as the 'Indian Statutory Commission'. It was comprised of four Conservative, two Labour, and one Liberal member of the British Parliament. Despite the lack of Indian representation, the commission arrived in India on February 3, 1928, to study the progress of the governance in the largest and most important possession of the British Empire.
Opposition and Boycott
The Simon Commission was strongly opposed by Indian nationalist leaders and common people alike. The Indian National Congress resolved to boycott the Commission in its December 1927 meeting held in Madras, with some members of the Muslim League also boycotting it. The commission was greeted by thousands of protestors in Bombay, holding placards and signboards that read 'Go Back Simon'. Nationwide strikes and protests were carried out wherever the commission went.
Incidents of Protests
One of the most notable protests occurred when the commission arrived in Lahore on October 30, 1928. Lala Lajpat Rai, a nationalist leader, had moved a resolution against the commission in the Legislative Assembly of Punjab. The protest led by Rai blocked the road to prevent the commission members from leaving the railway station. In response, the local police led by Superintendent James Scott began beating protestors, which led to Rai's critical injury and subsequent death on November 17, 1928.
Aftermath of the Commission
In its May 1930 report, the commission proposed the eradication of the diarchy system and suggested the establishment of representative government in various provinces. Motilal Nehru submitted the 'Nehru Report' in September 1928, which pushed for dominion status for India with complete internal self-government. Despite these recommendations, the commission's report was heavily criticized, and the Congress party won the first provincial election in India in 1937, giving them significant impetus in the Indian political scene.
Formation of the Simon Commission
The Simon Commission was formed as part of the British government's response to the Government of India Act of 1919, which introduced the diarchy system in India. The act also envisioned a system of review of reforms after ten years to study and analyze the constitutional progress and bring in more reforms. Although the review was due in 1929, the Conservative government decided to form the commission earlier to prevent the Labour Party from taking over British India.
Why was the Simon Commission Boycotted?
The Simon Commission was boycotted due to its all-white membership, which was seen as a deliberate attempt to exclude Indians from discussing their country's suitability for self-government. Therefore, the commission was not recognized by most Indian political parties, including the Congress party, the Muslim League, and the Justice Party of the South.
Conclusion
The Simon Commission 1927 was a significant event in modern Indian history, marked by strong opposition and boycotts by Indian nationalist leaders and common people. The commission's report, which recommended the eradication of the diarchy system and the establishment of representative government, laid the groundwork for future constitutional reforms in India.
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Description
Learn about the Simon Commission 1927, a seven-member body established by the British government to investigate constitutional reforms in India. Explore the background, opposition, protests, aftermath, and significance of the Simon Commission in Indian history.
