Simon Commission

Government of India Act 1919 had introduced the system of

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dyarchy to govern the provinces of British India.
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This act had a provision that a commission would be appointed
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after 10 years to investigate the progress of the governance
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scheme and suggest new steps for reform.

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The Government in England was a conservative Government

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which was not in very much favour of giving any control to
Indians.
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In March 1927, his majesty’s Government announced its
decision to appoint the “Statutory Commission” in advance of
the prescribed date. (The commission was supposed to be set
up in 1929).
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Explicit and Implicit Objectives of Simon Commission
• To delay the process of transfer of power from the British to the
people.

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To further widen the communal feelings by diametrically

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provisions which could be diametrically opposed to the interests

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of the two communities?

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To show the people that British were sincere in the efforts in
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giving people the self rule but it was Indians who could not
decide for a consensus on power-sharing.

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To give impression of a federal constitution so that week centre
and a powerful province can be created. It would created
feelings of regionalism which is an antidote to nationalism.

• To give political autonomy without economic autonomy.

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Recommendations of Simon Commission
• There should be a constitutional reconstruction.
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It would be a federal constitution.
The provinces should be given full autonomy including law.
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The governor should have discretionary power to relate to internal security
and administrative powers to protect the different communities.
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The number of members of provincial legislative council should be
increased.
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the cabinet.
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Governor general should have complete power to appoint the members of

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The government of India should have complete control over the high court.

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Limitations of Simon Commission
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No Indians members in the commission.
• No universal franchise was proposed.
• The position of governor-general remained unaffected.
• No provision to abolish separate electorate but rather extended to other
communities as well.
• No financial devolution was proposed.
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Reactions to Simon Commission India
• The announcement came as a surprise. Indians were already in a state of
frustration.

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• The Congress was almost agenda less and no active programme was there
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except the Khadi. The Swarajists were in the Legislative Council and had lost

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cohesiveness with the Congress. So, for the agenda-less Congress, Simon
Commission came as a blessing in disguise and they got an issue to take up

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effectively.

November 1927.
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• The personnel of the Commission and its terms of reference were announced in

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• It had 7 members which were lifted from the three political parties of the British
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Parliament under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon.

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• None of the Indians was appointed in the commission and the promise of
appeasing the Indian opinion seemed to be a bubble.

• When no Indian was included in the commission, it was like depriving of their
right to participate in the determination of the constitution of their own country.
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• At the annual session of the Congress in Madras in December
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1927, a resolution was passed which advocated the boycott of
the Simon Commission “at every stage and in every form“.

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Other factions of the politicians also joined the suit.

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• However, in Muslim league, there was a split of thought.
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Jinnah was for boycotting the commission; but Muhammad
Shafi was for support for the Government.

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• Thus in 1927, Muslim league had two sessions– One was led
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by Jinnah at Calcutta where he opposed the Commission.
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Another was held at Lahore that was led by Muhammad Shafi,
where he supported the Government. So, all parties except
the Shafi group of Muslim league and a Justice Party at
Madras, were against the Simon Commission.
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Q) Why was Simon Commission appointed by the British government?
What was the immediate response to the Commission by the Indians.
(250 words)

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Indian Statutory Commission, popularly known as Simon Commission was appointed by
the British government in 1927 under the chairmanship of John Simon to review the

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workings of Government of India Act 1919 and suggest future measures. It consisted of 7
British Members of Parliament, including the Chairman. 

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provinces in India
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The Government of India Act 1919 introduced Dyarchy system to govern the British

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and Transferred.
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• Under this system, the provincial subjects were divided into two categories- Reserved

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• The transferred subjects were to be administered by the governor with the aid of
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ministers responsible to the Legislative Council.
• reserved subjects, on the other hand, were to be administered by the governor and his
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executive council without being responsible to the Legislative Council.

• Further, the Act made a provision for a review committee on its working after 10 years.
• The Act of 1919 failed to meet the aspirations of Indians for self rule (dominion status).
• Although constitutional reforms were due in 1929, anticipating a change in government,
the Indian Statutory Commission (Simon Commission) was appointed in 1927.
General Response of the Indians
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• The announcement of Simon Commission evoked a sense
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of anger among the Indians.
• The exclusion of Indians from the all-white commission
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was seen a violation of the principle of self-determination,

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and as a deliberate insult to the self-respect of Indians.
• A nationwide bandh was observed and mass rallies were
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held. The commission was met with black flags and calls
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of ‘Simon Go Back’ wherever it went.

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• The police came down heavily on protestors. In one such
incidence of lathi-charge, senior leader Lala Lajpat Rai
was severely injured and succumbed to his injuries. This
further infuriated the masses and revolutionaries.
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Response of Political Organisations

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• The Indian National Congress in its 1927 Madras session decided to
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boycott commission at every stage and every form.

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• Other parties like the Muslim League, Liberal Party, Hindu
Mahasabha etc also decided to boycott the Simon Commission.

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However, Unionists in Punjab and Justice Party in the south decided
not to boycott the commission.
Conclusion
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• Simon Commission, led to acceptance of the challenge of
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Birkenhead by Indians to frame a constitution on its own, which

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resulted in Nehru report of 1929.
• Arrival of Simon Commission and its subsequent protests at pan
India level united the Indians against the British might. 

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Q. Why Simon commission was established?
(a) To enquire into the working of the Government of India Act, 1919 and to
suggest further reforms in the system of administration.

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(b) To enquire into the working of the Marley-Minto reforms.
(c) To declare India as republic state
(d) None of these

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Commission?
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Q. Which of the following statement is not correct about Simon

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(a) The activities of Swaraj party had induced the British Government to review

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the working of the diarchy system introduced by the Montague- Chelmsford
reforms.
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(b) The British Government appointed the Simon commission in Nov., 1927.

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(c) Simon commission was opposed because its all members were the English.
(d) Lala Lajpat Rai was died during the protest of Simon commission.

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Q. Which of the following is not matched correctly?
(a) Nehru report :1929
(b) 14 points of M. Ali Jinnah: 1929
(c) Second round table conference:1931
(d) Communal award:1932
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