The Simon Commission was a British parliamentary commission that was appointed in 1927 to investigate the constitutional future of India. The commission was named after its chairman, Sir John Simon, and consisted of seven members, all of whom were British. The commission visited India in 1928 and held public hearings in major cities across the country. The commission’s report, which was published in 1930, recommended that India should be granted dominion status, but this proposal was rejected by Indian nationalists. The Simon Commission was widely criticized in India, and its appointment led to the rise of the Indian independence movement.
The Appointment of the Simon Commission
The Simon Commission was appointed by the British government in 1927. The appointment of the commission was prompted by a number of factors, including the growing demand for self-government in India, the rise of Indian nationalism, and the need to reform the Indian government. The commission was tasked with investigating the constitutional future of India and making recommendations for its future governance.
The Composition of the Simon Commission
The Simon Commission was composed of seven members, all of whom were British. The chairman of the commission was Sir John Simon, a lawyer and politician. The other members of the commission were:
- Sir William Marris, a civil servant
- Sir Reginald Coupland, a historian
- Sir Edward Benthall, a businessman
- Sir Herbert Emerson, a civil servant
- Sir George Schuster, a civil servant
- Mr. Clement Attlee, a Labour politician
The Terms of Reference of the Simon Commission
The Simon Commission was appointed to investigate the constitutional future of India and to make recommendations for its future governance. The commission was given the following terms of reference:
- To inquire into the working of the existing constitution of India, and to report what changes, if any, are desirable to meet the growing needs of India.
- To consider the question of the representation of India in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
- To consider the question of the protection of minorities in India.
- To consider the question of the relations between the British Government and the Government of India.
The Visit of the Simon Commission to India
The Simon Commission visited India in 1928. The commission held public hearings in major cities across the country, and it also met with Indian leaders. The commission’s visit was widely protested by Indian nationalists, who boycotted the commission’s hearings.
The Report of the Simon Commission
The Simon Commission submitted its report to the British government in 1930. The report recommended that India should be granted dominion status, but this proposal was rejected by Indian nationalists. The Simon Commission’s report was widely criticized in India, and its appointment led to the rise of the Indian independence movement.
The Impact of the Simon Commission
The Simon Commission had a significant impact on the history of India. The commission’s appointment led to the rise of the Indian independence movement, and its report was widely criticized in India. The Simon Commission’s report also contributed to the growing divide between the British government and Indian nationalists.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the Simon Commission?
The Simon Commission was a British parliamentary commission that was appointed in 1927 to investigate the constitutional future of India. - Who were the members of the Simon Commission?
The members of the Simon Commission were:
- Sir John Simon, a lawyer and politician
- Sir William Marris, a civil servant
- Sir Reginald Coupland, a historian
- Sir Edward Benthall, a businessman
- Sir Herbert Emerson, a civil servant
- Sir George Schuster, a civil servant
- Mr. Clement Attlee, a Labour politician
- What were the terms of reference of the Simon Commission?
The terms of reference of the Simon Commission were:
- To inquire into the working of the existing constitution of India, and to report what changes, if any, are desirable to meet the growing needs of India.
- To consider the question of the representation of India in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
- To consider the question of the protection of minorities in India.
- To consider the question of the relations between the British Government and the Government of India.
- When did the Simon Commission visit India?
The Simon Commission visited India in 1928. - What was the reaction of Indian nationalists to the Simon Commission?
Indian nationalists boycotted the Simon Commission’s hearings and widely criticized the commission’s report. - What was the impact of the Simon Commission?
The Simon Commission had a significant impact on the history of India. The commission’s appointment led to the rise of the Indian independence movement, and its report was widely criticized in India. The Simon Commission’s report also contributed to the growing divide between the British government and Indian nationalists.