The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act, 1919)

The Government of India Act 1919 introduced dyarchy in the provinces, and was the British response to demands for self-rule during and after the First World War.

Background

After the Montagu Declaration, Montagu toured India (November 1917 to April 1918) with Chelmsford. The Montagu-Chelmsford Report (July 1918) led to the Government of India Act 1919, which took effect in 1921.

Main provisions

• Dyarchy in the provinces: Subjects were divided into Transferred (education, health, local government, agriculture; controlled by Indian ministers responsible to the legislature) and Reserved (law and order, finance, land revenue; controlled by the Governor and his executive council).
• Bicameral legislature at the Centre: Council of State (upper house) and Legislative Assembly (lower house), with direct elections on a narrow franchise.
• Separate electorates were extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
• A High Commissioner for India in London (1920). A Public Service Commission (set up in 1926).
• A Statutory Commission after ten years (this was the Simon Commission, 1927).

Reactions

• The Congress, at a special session in Bombay (August to September 1918, under Hasan Imam), called the proposals "disappointing and unsatisfactory", and demanded more.
• The Moderates (such as Surendranath Banerjea) left Congress and formed the Indian National Liberal Federation (1918).
• The Reforms were seen as inadequate, because the Governor had wide powers, the franchise was narrow, and the Centre remained responsible only to the British.