Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms

Montagu put before the British Cabinet a proposed statement regarding his intention to work towards the gradual development of free institutions in India with a view to ultimate self-government.

Lord Curzon thought that gave Montagu too much emphasis on working towards self-government and suggested that he work towards increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire.

The franchise was extended, and increased authority was given to central and provincial legislative councils, but the Viceroy remained responsible only to London.

The departments that made up the "steel frame" of British rule were retained by executive councilors, who were nominated by the governor.

The provincial list dealt with the affairs like health, sanitation, education, public work, irrigation, jail, police, justice etc.

[4] In 1921, another change that had been recommended by the report was carried out by elected local councils being set up in rural areas, and during the 1920s, urban municipal corporations were made more democratic and "Indianized".

The main provisions were the following: Many Indians had fought with the British in the First World War, and they expected much greater concessions.

The situation worsened in Amritsar in April 1919, when General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on demonstrators who were hemmed into a walled compound.

The conservative Morning Post newspaper collected a subscription of £26,000 for Dyer, and Sir Edward Carson moved a censure motion on Montagu that was nearly successful.

At the Indian National Congress annual session in September 1920, delegates supported Gandhi's proposal of swaraj, or self-rule, preferably within the British Empire but out of it if necessary.

The proposal was to be implemented through a policy of non-cooperation with British rule and so Congress did not field candidates in the first elections, held in 1921 under the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms.