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Montague-Chelmsford Reforms 1919

The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 aimed to introduce constitutional changes in India following World War I, establishing a bicameral legislature and dividing powers between the center and provinces. Despite these reforms, they were viewed as inadequate by the Congress and Muslim Leagues, leading to political unrest and dissatisfaction. The reforms retained separate electorates for Muslims and introduced a dyarchy system at the provincial level, but ultimately failed to address demands for self-rule.

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127 views2 pages

Montague-Chelmsford Reforms 1919

The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 aimed to introduce constitutional changes in India following World War I, establishing a bicameral legislature and dividing powers between the center and provinces. Despite these reforms, they were viewed as inadequate by the Congress and Muslim Leagues, leading to political unrest and dissatisfaction. The reforms retained separate electorates for Muslims and introduced a dyarchy system at the provincial level, but ultimately failed to address demands for self-rule.

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mhamid555777
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Montague-Chelmsford Reforms,1919 (Act of 1919)

Background:

After Lucknow Pact 1916 for the first time in history Muslims and Hindus agreed on one
proposals so government of India think that it is the best time to introduce some reforms in India
after the end of world war 1 st . it was another step for self-rule in India after 1909 reforms. Two
persons Edwin Montague secretary of state for India and lord Chelmsford (1916-1921) Viceroy
of India introduced these reforms after the approval from government in India. These were the
constitutional reforms and called as India act 1919. Salient features of these reforms were as
follows:

 Bicameral legislature was established in the center, the Upper House was known as the
Council of State its members were fixed at 60 elected for 5 years. Lower House was
known as Central Legislative Assembly its members wee fixed to 145 and elected for 3
years.
 Power was divided between the center and the provinces. The center subjects were
Defense, Foreign Affairs, Currency, Railway and Telecommunication. The provincial
subjects included Education, Health, Irrigation and Local Government.
 To present the adjournment motion in the assembly were given for the first time to its
members.
 Separate Electorates were retained for the Muslims.
 The system of Dyarchy was introduced at the provincial level. By this system the
subjects were divided into two categories as the Reserved Subjects and Transferred
Subjects. The transferred subjects such as Health, Commerce, Agriculture and Education
were entrusted to the Indian Ministers who were responsible to the Assembly. The
reserve subjects such as Law and Order, Finance, Police, Irrigation and Forest were under
the direct control of the Provincial Governors and their nominated secretaries. Under the
system of Dyarchy the Governor General and Governors could interfere in the provincial
matters whenever they wanted.
 A suggestion was also given to appoint a commission to prepared its report after the
success or failure of these reforms.
 The membership of the Executive council of the Governor General was enlarged and
three persons from Indians were also joined.

The Montague-Chelmsford reforms 1919 conceded far less than the Lucknow Pact had
demanded. Such concessions were not acceptable to the Congress and Muslim Leagues. The
political circles declared these reforms as inadequate and unsatisfactory. Bothe the parties were
divided into two groups to accept or refuse the reforms because it there is no concrete suggestion
about self-rule in India.

When the reforms of 1919 were introduced the country was ridden with political turmoil and
unrest. Many incident were occurred after the end of ww1 which cause the failure of these
reforms because people didn’t think the 1919 reforms worth for any consideration or attention.

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