Simon Commission (1927)

Total Questions: 22

1. Who among the following members of Simon Commission belonged to liberal party? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) Sir John Simon
Solution:The Chairman of Simon Commission, Sir John Simon, belonged to Liberal Party while Clement Attlee (Prime Minister at the time of India's freedom) was the member of Labour Party. The Simon Commission (Indian Statutory Commission), formed by the British in 1927 to review the Government of India Act 1919, sparked widespread protests due to its all-British composition.

Arriving in India in 1928, it was met with protests, including the iconic "Simon Go Back" demonstrations. The commission aimed to evaluate the Act, recommend reforms and address communal representation and law and order.

However, its lack of Indian representation led to its boycott, driving nationalist sentiment. The protests influenced key developments like the Nehru Report, and intensified demands for Indian self-governance, fostering new leaders and strengthening
the independence movement

2. On whose suggestions were the Indians kept out of the Simon Commission? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (d) Lord Irwin
Solution:The Indians were kept out of the Simon Commission on the suggestion of Lord Irwin. Simon Commission reached India in 1928. None of the members of this Commission was Indian. Thus, Indians opposed the Commission calling it a 'White Commission.'

3. Assertion (A) : The Congress boycotted the Simon Commission. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010 U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010 U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Reason (R) : The Simon Commission did not have a single Indian member.
Select the correct answer by using the code given below:

The Simon Commission (Indian Statutory Commission), formed by the British in 1927 to review the Government of India Act 1919, sparked widespread protests due to its all-British composition.

Arriving in India in 1928, it was met with protests, including the iconic "Simon Go Back" demonstrations. The commission aimed to evaluate the Act, recommend reforms and address communal representation and law and order.

However, its lack of Indian representation led to its boycott, driving nationalist sentiment. The protests influenced key developments like the Nehru Report, and intensified demands for Indian self-governance, fostering new leaders and strengthening
the independence movement

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Solution:Congress and other Indians opposed the Simon Commission as it did not have any Indian member. Thus, both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

4. Which of the following statements are true about the Simon Commission? Select the correct answer from the codes given below the statements: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

  1. It was appointed to enquire into the working of the 1919 Act.
  2. It was headed by Sir John Simon.
  3. It recommended a Federal Form of Government.
  4. It was opposed by the Indian leaders.
    Code:
Correct Answer: (d) All the above
Solution:Montagu-Chelmsford reform (Government of India act, 1919) provided for a Constitutional Commission to review its working and operations. The Government of India Act, 1919 was passed on the basis of recommendations of Lord Chelmsford and Samuel Montagu to introduce self-governing institutions gradually to India.

For this purpose, Simon Commission was appointed in November, 1927 by the British. Conservative Government under Stanley Baldwin to report on the working of the Indian Constitution established by the Government of India Act of 1919. The Commission consisted of seven members under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon.

None of the members of this Commission was Indian, thus Indian leaders opposed the Commission saying it was a 'White Commission.' Simon Commission advocated reconstitution of Central legislature with a federal character instead of a unitary character, and its members should be elected from provincial legislature indirectly.

Simon Commission reached Bombay on February 3, 1928; on that day, a countrywide strike was held.

5. With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible Government in the provinces.
Solution:The Government of India Act 1919 had introduced the system of diarchy to govern the provinces of British India. This Act had a provision that a Commission would be appointed after 10 years to investigate the progress of the Governance scheme and suggest new steps for reform. The other statement in context to Simon Commission is incorrect.

6. Consider the following statements with reference to Simon Commission [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023]

  1. It made two visits to India.
  2. Its second visit was from October 11, 1929 to April 13, 1930.
    Select the correct answer the code given below:
    Code:
Correct Answer: (a) Only 1
Solution:Simon Commission visited India twice. From 3 February to 31st March, 1928 for the first time and for the second time, from 11 October 1928 to 13 April 1929. Hence, the second statement is wrong.

7. Lala Lajpat Rai was injured: [U.P. P.C.S. (Spl.) (Pre) 2004 U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (a) In lathi charge in protest to Simon Commission
Solution:In 1927, the British Government in England decided to send a commission headed by Sir John Simon to decide India’s political future. The commission had no Indian representative.

This decision created an outrage in India. Indian National Congress in its Madras session of December, 1927 decided to boycott the Commission. When the Commission arrived, it met with demonstrations with banners saying “Simon! Go Back.”

In 1928, when the Simon Commission visited Lahore, Lala Lajpat Rai led a non-violent protest against it. The police struck back with lethal force, carrying out a lathi charge. Lala Lajpat Rai suffered severe injuries in the police assault and eventually died in November, 1928.

8. To whom was the title of “Punjab Kesari” conferred? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

Correct Answer: (c) Lala Lajpat Rai
Solution:Lala Lajpat Rai is also known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ was one of the major political leaders of Punjab who led freedom movement against British rule. Lala Lajpat Rai, also known as Punjab Kesari (Lion of Punjab), was a prominent nationalist leader, freedom fighter, and social reformer.

Rai played a crucial role in India's independence movement, particularly through his leadership in the extremist wing of the Indian National Congress (INC) alongside Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, forming the famous Lal-Bal-Pal trio.

A staunch advocate of Swaraj, Rai also led protests against the Simon Commission in 1928, where he sustained fatal injuries. In addition to his political career, he was a social reformer who championed education and fought against caste discrimination. His writings and journalistic endeavours further galvanized public opinion against British rule.

9. Assertion (A) : Protest, led by Lala Lajpat Rai, was organized in Lahore in 1928 against Simon Commission. [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]

Reason (R) : Simon Commission did not have a single Indian member in it.

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Solution:In 1927, the British Government in England decided to send a commission headed by Lord Simon to decide India’s political future. On February 3, 1928 Simon Commission reached Bombay. The Commission had no Indian representative.

The decision created an outrage in India. All political groups decided to boycott the Commission. When the Commission arrived, it met with demonstrations with banners saying “Simon! Go Back.”

Lala Lajpat Rai led the protest against the Commission at Lahore. During this, he got severely injured in the lathi-charge carried out by the police and died on November 17, 1928. Thus, both (A) and (R) are individually correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

10. ‘Nehru Report’ was prepared by — [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

Correct Answer: (a) M.L. Nehru
Solution:Nehru Report (1928) which demanded dominion status for India was prepared in response to the Simon Commission (1927). Motilal Nehru was the Chairman of All-Party Committee preparing this report. Jawaharlal Nehru was the Secretary of this Committee. Two Muslims, including 9 other people were the members of this Committee.