Simon Commission – What Was It and When Did It Arrive in India?

A Brief Overview of the Commission

The Simon Commission of 1927 was a group of representatives from the United Kingdom who were sent to India to assess the political situation in the country. The commission was headed by Sir John Simon, who was a former Attorney General in the United Kingdom. The commission was tasked with recommending constitutional reforms in India and had seven members in total. It was created to review the potential for further decentralization and constitutional reforms in India.

The Reception of the Commission in India

The arrival of the Simon Commission in India in 1928 was met with a great deal of resistance and opposition. The Indian National Congress, which was the leading political party in India at the time, was strongly against the commission and saw it as an attempt by the British government to undermine Indian autonomy and power. The Congress organized a nationwide boycott of the Commission, and the protests and demonstrations that ensued were some of the largest in Indian history.

The Aftermath of the Simon Commission

The Simon Commission was ultimately unsuccessful in its mission to reform the Indian constitution, as the Indian people had made it clear that they would not accept any proposals from the Commission. However, the Commission did set the stage for further negotiations between the Indian National Congress and the British government, which ultimately resulted in the Government of India Act of 1935. This act provided a framework for the formation of a new government in India, as well as the establishment of provincial autonomy.

Conclusion

The Simon Commission of 1927 was a group of representatives from the United Kingdom who were sent to India to assess the political situation in the country. Despite the Indian people’s opposition to the Commission, it did set the stage for further negotiations between the Indian National Congress and the British government, which ultimately resulted in the Government of India Act of 1935. This act provided a framework for the formation of a new government in India, as well as the establishment of provincial autonomy.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Commission
2. https://www.britannica.com/event/Simon-Commission
3. https://www.historydiscussion.net/history-of-india/the-simon-commission-and-its-reception-in-india/5979