Montagu–Chelmsford Report

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Montagu–Chelmsford Report. The First World War both increased Britain's need for Indian men and matériel and presented the Indian national movement with an opportunity to demand constitutional reform. Edwin Montagu, the secretary of state, was sent to India in 1917 and, together with Viceroy Lord Helmsford, prepared the report which was to lead the country towards ‘responsible self-government’. It was enacted by Parliament in 1919. However, the reforms, which were extremely cautious, proved a grave disappointment to Indian national opinion. Gandhi moved to leadership of the Congress by proposing a boycott of the first elections and ‘non-cooperation’ with the new constitution.

David Anthony Washbrook

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    Montagu–Chelmsford Report