Lord Chelmsford served as the Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921. His tenure was marked by major political and social developments. These include World War I, the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, the Rowlatt Act, and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
1. Key Events During Lord Chelmsford’s Tenure
(1) World War I (1914–1918) and Its Impact
✔ India’s contribution: Sent 1.3 million soldiers and financial aid.
✔ Heavy economic strain: Increased taxes, inflation, and food shortages.
✔ Rise of Nationalism: Indians demanded self-rule in return for their war contributions.
(2) Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)
✔ Introduced Government of India Act, 1919 based on diarchy (dual government).
✔ Provincial government divided into:
- Reserved subjects (controlled by the British).
- Transferred subjects (handled by Indian ministers).
✔ Created a bicameral legislature (Council of State & Legislative Assembly).
✔ Indians criticized it for providing limited reforms.
(3) Rowlatt Act (1919)
✔ Allowed the British government to arrest Indians without trial.
✔ Led to nationwide protests.
✔ Mahatma Gandhi launched Satyagraha against the Act.
(4) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919)
✔ General Dyer ordered firing on an unarmed crowd in Amritsar.
✔ Hundreds killed, thousands injured.
✔ Led to massive outrage and rise in nationalist movements.
(5) Khilafat Movement (1919–1924)
✔ Muslim leaders (Ali Brothers) started a movement to protect the Ottoman Caliphate.
✔ Gandhi supported it, linking it with the Non-Cooperation Movement.
(6) Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922)
✔ Launched by Mahatma Gandhi to resist British rule peacefully.
✔ Involved boycotting British goods, services, and institutions.
✔ Strengthened Indian nationalism but was suspended after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922).
2. Other Developments
✔ Hunter Commission (1919): Investigated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, but did not punish General Dyer.
✔ Formation of Communist Party of India (1920): M.N. Roy founded the party in Tashkent, Soviet Union.
✔ Third Afghan War (1919): Ended British control over Afghanistan’s foreign affairs.
3. MCQs on Lord Chelmsford
- The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) introduced which system of governance in provinces?
- (a) Autocracy
- (b) Federalism
- (c) Diarchy
- (d) Republic
- Answer: (c) Diarchy
- Which act allowed the British to arrest Indians without trial in 1919?
- (a) Rowlatt Act
- (b) Pitt’s India Act
- (c) Vernacular Press Act
- (d) Arms Act
- Answer: (a) Rowlatt Act
- Who ordered the firing at Jallianwala Bagh in 1919?
- (a) Lord Chelmsford
- (b) Lord Curzon
- (c) General Dyer
- (d) Lord Ripon
- Answer: (c) General Dyer
- Which movement was started to protect the Ottoman Caliphate?
- (a) Civil Disobedience Movement
- (b) Quit India Movement
- (c) Khilafat Movement
- (d) Home Rule Movement
- Answer: (c) Khilafat Movement
- Who founded the Communist Party of India in 1920?
- (a) Bhagat Singh
- (b) B.R. Ambedkar
- (c) M.N. Roy
- (d) Subhas Chandra Bose
- Answer: (c) M.N. Roy
4. Subjective Questions on Lord Chelmsford
- Discuss the key features of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919).
- Explain the causes and consequences of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
- What was the impact of the Rowlatt Act on the Indian freedom struggle?
- How did the Non-Cooperation Movement contribute to India’s independence struggle?
- Discuss India’s role in World War I and its impact on nationalism.
5. Conclusion
Lord Chelmsford’s tenure (1916–1921) was a turning point in Indian history, marked by political unrest, brutal repression, and growing nationalism. The Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and Non-Cooperation Movement fueled India’s fight for self-rule, making British control more challenging.
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