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The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were introduced in which year?
A. 1909
B. 1916
C. 1919
D. 1935
Correct Answer Is Option = 1919
Notes / Explanation
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were introduced in 1919 through the Government of India Act of that year and represented another significant step in the gradual constitutional development of the subcontinent under British rule. The reforms took their name from Edwin Montagu, who served as the Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, who was the Viceroy at the time. After the First World War, in which the people of the subcontinent had contributed large numbers of soldiers and considerable resources to the British war effort, there was a widespread expectation that Britain would reward this loyalty with meaningful political concessions and a greater share in governance. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were the British response to this rising demand for self-government. The most distinctive feature of these reforms was the introduction of a system known as dyarchy at the provincial level. Under dyarchy, the subjects of provincial administration were divided into two categories, namely transferred subjects and reserved subjects. Transferred subjects, which included departments such as education, health, agriculture and local government, were placed under ministers who were responsible to the elected legislative councils. Reserved subjects, which included more sensitive areas such as finance, police and law and order, remained under the control of the Governor and his appointed officials. In this way a limited measure of responsible government was introduced, while the British retained firm control over the most important functions of the state. The reforms also expanded the size of the legislatures and increased the number of people who were allowed to vote, although the franchise was still restricted to a small, propertied section of the population. The system of separate electorates introduced earlier was continued and even extended to additional communities. Although the reforms were welcomed as a step forward, many leaders found them disappointing because real power still rested with the British, and the dyarchy system often created confusion and friction between ministers and officials. For PPSC and similar examinations, the essential points to remember are the year 1919, the two personalities after whom the reforms are named, and the introduction of the dyarchy system dividing provincial subjects into transferred and reserved categories, which is the most commonly examined aspect of these reforms.
