UPSC Prelims 2016 Q64: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
The Montague - Chelmsford Proposals were related to
- (a) social reforms
- (b) educational reforms
- (c) reforms in police administration
- (d) constitutional reforms
Answer: (d) constitutional reforms
Explanation
Montague-Chelmsford Proposals
Edwin Montagu was the Secretary of State for India and Lord Chelmsford the Viceroy.
Their report of 1918 led to the Government of India Act, 1919.
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| August Declaration (20 August 1917) | Promised the gradual development of responsible government in India |
| Report (1918) | The Montagu-Chelmsford proposals |
| Act (1919) | Put the proposals into law |
Main constitutional reforms of the 1919 Act:
| Reform | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dyarchy | Provincial subjects split into reserved and transferred |
| Bicameralism | Council of State and Legislative Assembly at the Centre |
| Direct elections | Introduced for the first time, on a limited franchise |
| Separate electorates | Extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans |
They were not about social reforms, educational reforms or police administration.
Answer: (d) constitutional reforms.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The proposals did not deal with social reforms.
- (b) Incorrect. Educational reforms came from bodies such as the Sadler Commission.
- (c) Incorrect. Reforms in police administration came from the Fraser Commission (1902).
- (d) CORRECT. The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to constitutional reforms.
Key point
Montagu-Chelmsford Report (1918) led to the Government of India Act, 1919: dyarchy in provinces, bicameral centre, direct elections.
Remember
Montagu-Chelmsford = 1919 Act = dyarchy.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Montagu-Chelmsford (1919) with Morley-Minto (1909).
- Placing dyarchy at the Centre; it was in the provinces.
- Forgetting the August Declaration of 1917 that came first.
Exam tip
Two-name reforms are constitutional: Morley-Minto (1909), Montagu-Chelmsford (1919).
Sources
- Government of India Act, 1919
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Constitutional developments: Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)