IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : Modern India - CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS 1921-1935

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

Modern India 1857-1964

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS 1921-1935

Structure
29.0 Objectives
29.1 Introduction
29.2 Effects of the Constitutional Reforms of 1919
29.2.1 Failure of Dyarchy
29.2.2 Reform Proposals between 1920-1927
29.3 Simon Commission
29.3.1 Appointment
29.3.2 Boycoii
29.4 All Parties Conference and Nehru Report
29.5 The First Round Table Conference
29.6 Gandhi and the Second Round Table Conference
29.7 Communal Award and Poona Pact
29.8 The Government of India Act of 1935
29.9 Let Us Sum Up
29.10 Key Words
29.11 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

29.0 OBJECTIVES

The aim of this Unit is to give you a brief history of the constitutional reforms during the period 1920-1935. After going through this unit you will be abIe to:

know how the basic character of the Constitution of Free India (the democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government) has evolved gradually,
explain how the struggle for freedom and the constitutional reforms went together and were complementary to each other, and
appreciate the efforts of Indian masses and their leaders in facing (he challenge of communal and minority problems in relation to constitutional reforms.

29.1 INTRODUCTION

In Unit-17, Block-4, you have read about the Constitutional developments during the period 1892-1920. In this Unit an attempt is made to familiarise you with the constitutional developments between the period 1920-1935. Here we analyse the effects of 1919 Reforms Act and the circumstances leading to the appointment of Simon Commission. The Nationalist response to the appointment of Simon Commission as well as the recommchdations of the Nehru Report are also discussed. It also takes into account the British initiatives for a compromise with the nationalists through the Round Table Conferences. It also explains the Nationalist overture in the form of Poona Pact to meet the challenge posed by communal and minority representation guaranteed by the British. Finally the main features and limitations of Government of India Act of 1935 are enumerated.

29.2 EFFECTS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS OF 1919

Before discussing the effects of the Constitutional Reforms of 1919, let us briefly recapitulate the main features of the Government of India Act of 1919. Under the Government of India Act of 1919 the provincial governments were given more powers under the system of Dyarchy. Some subjects such as finance and law and order