When did Simon Commission reach in India?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (2) 1928: The Simon Commission, officially known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was a group of seven British Members of Parliament under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon. It was appointed in November 1927 to study constitutional reform in British India and to make recommendations to the government. The Commission arrived in India on February 3, 1928, to a nationwide boycott and protests, as no Indian members were included in the commission. This event was a significant moment in the Indian independence movement, leading to widespread political unrest.

The incorrect option is (1) 1919: The year 1919 is significant for the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which led to the Government of India Act of 1919. This act introduced dyarchy in the provinces, a system of dual governance. It also expanded the legislative councils and provided for a review of constitutional reforms after ten years, which eventually led to the appointment of the Simon Commission. However, the Simon Commission itself did not reach India in 1919.

The incorrect option is (3) 1931: While 1931 was a crucial year in Indian history, notably for the Second Round Table Conference and the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, it was not the year the Simon Commission arrived in India. The Simon Commission had already submitted its report by this time. The recommendations of the Simon Commission were discussed at the Round Table Conferences.

The incorrect option is (4) 1939: The year 1939 marks the beginning of World War II, a period that significantly impacted India's political landscape. By this time, the Simon Commission's work was long concluded, and its recommendations, along with discussions from the Round Table Conferences, had influenced the Government of India Act of 1935. The arrival of the Simon Commission predates 1939 by over a decade.