Question

The Government of India Act, 1919 was based on ………………………………….
A) Simon Commission
B) Nehru’s report
C) Montagu Chelmsford report
D) Minto-Morley reforms

Answer 1

Hint: An Act of the parliament of the United Kingdom was the Government of India Act 1919. It was passed in order to increase Indian involvement in India’s government. It was passed by the British parliament.

Complete answer:
Let us look into the given options:
Option A) Simon Commission is an incorrect answer because the Government of India Act, 1919 was not based on the Simon Commission. A group of 7MPs from Britain who were sent to India in 1928 to research constitutional changes and make government recommendations was the Simon Commission.

Option B) Nehru’s report is an incorrect answer because the Act was not based on Nehru's report. The Nehru report was a memorandum to appeal for a new dominion status and a federal set-up of government for the constitution of India. It is incorrect here.

Option C) Montagu Chelmsford report is a correct answer because the Government of India Act, 1919 was based on the Montagu Chelmsford Report. The reforms of Montagu Chelmsford were reforms initiated in British India by the colonial government to eventually establish self-governing institutions in India. It is a correct answer.

Option D) Minto-Morley reforms – is an incorrect answer because this Act was not based on the Minto-Morley reforms. This reform was also called Indian Councils Act, 1909. It was a series of reform measures enacted in 1909. Thus, it is incorrect here.

Hence, Option C is the correct answer.

Note: This act embodied the reforms recommended in the report of the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, and the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford. It was originally published on 23 December, 1919. So, the correct answer is option C, i.e., Montagu Chelmsford report.