In which year did the Simon Commission arrive in India?

The correct answer is 1928.

Key Points

• The Simon Commission, officially known as the Indian Statutory Commission, arrived in India on 3 February 1928.
• The Commission was set up by the British government under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon to report on the working of the Government of India Act 1919.
• It faced widespread opposition in India as it did not include any Indian members, which was perceived as a deliberate exclusion of Indian voices.
• The slogan "Simon Go Back" became a rallying cry for protests across the country, with notable participation from leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai, who was injured during a protest and later succumbed to his injuries.
• The Commission’s recommendations eventually led to the Government of India Act 1935, which introduced provincial autonomy and federal principles.

Additional Information

• Government of India Act 1919
  • This Act introduced the system of diarchy in the provinces, splitting governance into reserved and transferred subjects.
  • It was based on the recommendations of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1918).
  • The Act aimed to provide a degree of self-governance to Indians but fell short of their expectations.
• Lala Lajpat Rai's Role
  • Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent nationalist leader, led protests against the Simon Commission in Lahore.
  • He was injured in a brutal lathi charge during one such protest and later died on 17 November 1928.
  • His death became a symbol of resistance against colonial rule.
• Simon Commission’s Recommendations
  • The Commission recommended abolishing diarchy in provinces and introducing federalism.
  • It opposed granting dominion status to India, which further angered Indian leaders.
• Impact of the Simon Commission
  • The widespread protests against the Simon Commission united Indians across political and social lines.
  • It indirectly contributed to the formation of the Nehru Report (1928), which was India’s first attempt to draft its own constitution.