Simon Commission arrived in India in [[1]].

The Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928. Officially known as the Indian Statutory Commission, it was a group of seven British members sent to India to evaluate the effectiveness of the reforms under British rule and assess the political situation in India. This commission was established to suggest further reforms in the governance system of British India. The commission was headed by Sir John Simon.

Background of the Commission

The primary objective of the Simon Commission was to analyze the impact of constitutional reforms and suggest further recommendations for improving governance in India. However, when Simon Commission came to India, it did so without any Indian representation, which sparked widespread outrage among Indian political leaders. Indians were excluded from the commission despite being directly impacted by its recommendations.

Reaction to the Simon Commission

The Simon Commission faced immense criticism from Indian leaders. The Indian National Congress, Hindu Mahasabha, and a faction of the Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah strongly opposed the commission. The demand for boycotting the commission was championed by Tej Bahadur Sapru, who was one of the prominent figures in India's political sphere at the time. One of the major responses to the Simon Commission was the popular slogan "Simon Go Back," introduced by Yusuf Meherally, which became a rallying cry for the Indian public against the British government.

Recommendations of the Simon Commission

Despite the opposition, the Simon Commission made some significant recommendations regarding the governance of India. Among these was the proposal for the abolition of the dyarchy, a system of dual government introduced under the Government of India Act, 1919. It also recommended granting provincial autonomy and increasing the number of members in the provincial legislative councils to ensure better representation. These changes were seen as important steps towards self-governance, although they were far from what Indian leaders had hoped for.

Impact of the Simon Commission

The Simon Commission's report laid the groundwork for future constitutional reforms in India. The recommendations of the commission ultimately led to the passage of the Government of India Act of 1935, which introduced significant changes to India's political structure, including the establishment of provincial autonomy and further steps towards self-government. However, the absence of Indian representation in the Simon Commission left a deep sense of resentment, further fueling the demand for full self-rule in India.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of when Simon Commission came to India is an important chapter in the history of India's struggle for independence. The commission's arrival in 1928 marked a turning point in the relationship between India and Britain, and the protests it sparked highlighted the growing discontent with British rule. Though the commission's recommendations paved the way for some reforms, it was also a reminder of the deep inequalities in the governance system that India was fighting to change.