Montagu Chelmsford Report

The Montagu Chelmsford Report was designed and introduced by the British Colonial rule in India for planning and introduction of self-governing institutions in colonial India. It was discussed and reformed by Lord Chelmsford, the contemporary Viceroy of India (1916 -1921), and Edwin Montagu, the contemporary Secretary of State (1971 -1922). This report was prepared in 1918 to build the foundation of the Government of India Act 1919.

Background of Montagu Chelmsford Reforms

In August 1917, Edwin Samuel Montagu put a notion in the House of Commons that the establishment of government institutions in India will need a higher level of participation of the Indians. This increasing association of the native Indians in the colonial British Empire will be mandatory for the stronghold of Great Britain. The government will become more responsible and progressive towards fortifying its stronghold in India.

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The panel in the House of Commons agreed to what Montagu has proposed and sent a delegation headed by him to meet Lord Chelmsford, the then Viceroy of India. The prime objective of this discussion was to incorporate Indian ministers in different positions in government institutions for better governance and control. It was in the form of a recommendation he wanted to make to the contemporary viceroy. This discussion led to the foundation of the Government of India Act 1919.

Government of India Act 1919

The panels of the House of Commons agreed to increase the participation of the Indian representatives in different government institutions. He mentioned the necessity of letting the Indian ministers enjoy some control over a few aspects of the provincial governments too. This is why was Montagu Chelmsford reforms introduced as a new act in the constitution in 1919. The features of Montagu Chelmsford reforms are:

1. Central Government

• This act made the Central Government more powerful in controlling matters of national importance such as foreign affairs, political relations, defense, communication, criminal laws, civil laws, wire services, public debt, etc.

• According to this act, the Governor-General is made the Chief Executive Authority. An eight-member Executive Council of the Viceroy was formed. Out of the eight members, three have to be Indians.

• The Governor-General was given the authority to cut and restore grants, certify bills that are rejected by the legislature, and can issue ordinances.

• Legislature reforms were also made as per this act. A bicameral legislature was introduced considering the Legislative Assembly’s Lower House and the Council of State or the Upper House.

• This legislature did not have any control over the decisions made by the Governor-General.

• The Viceroy will address the legislature. He can call, adjourn, and repeal it.

• The power of the Central Government remained unrestricted on the provincial ones.

• The Central Legislature was given the authority to formulate laws.

2. Provincial Government

• The provincial governments will be handling the smaller matters such as public health, education, local self-governance, general administration, land revenue, medical facilities, famine relief, water supply, agriculture, law & order, etc.

• Diarchy was introduced in eight provinces of Bihar-Orissa, Assam, Bengal, United Provinces, Central Provinces, Punjab, Bombay, and Madras.

• The governor is assigned to be the executive head in a province.

• The Governor-General and the Secretary of State can interfere with any matter of the provincial governments.

• Women were allowed to cast votes.

• The legislators spoke freely during the sessions.

• The governor appointed can overrule elected ministers considering any ground and retain the entire control of the finances.

Significance of the Montagu Chelmsford Report

If you check the features of Montagu Chelmsford reforms, you will find out how the Government of Britain was aware of the certain changes in the Indian colonial rule. It wanted to introduce more Indians in creating a smooth governing system at the central and provincial levels.

The central government had the entire power to control and look after the bigger issues. In fact, the elected Indian representatives did not have the power to do something but enjoyed the freedom of speech. One of the biggest significant developments was the inclusion of women in the voting population.

Indians started to wake up and developed a sense of Swaraj. In fact, they also understood the importance of voting in creating a democratic country free from Colonial Rule. This act led to the foundation of provincial governments that led to the formation of state governments after the independence. The background and results of this act gave people the power to vote and to realize how significant the population can be. They realized how powerful the mass can be and started to raise their voices against the tyrannical behavior of British Rule. This reform also diluted the power of the government as the natives understood their potential.

In a nutshell, the Montagu Chelmsford report formed the basis of the Government of India Act 1919. It was passed to make a stronghold of the governance of the British Colonial Rule in India and paved the way of developing a new democracy unintentionally.