By the end of the first world war British rule was still strong in India but this would not be the case for much longer. Many thousands of Indians fought in the first world war believing that in return they would be given home rule of their country

Since 1858 the British government took over responsibility of governing India. Indeed they held a very dominant position as 60% of India was in their control and 40% was governed by the Indian princes. The princes ruled their land on the condition that they would except the main rulers of India were still be British and that they agreed to sign treaties with the British making them loyal supporters of the British Raj.

India was directly ruled by the Viceroy who was appointed by the British parliament and a representative of the Monarch. Also the secretary of state for India was the government minister responsible for Indian affairs. The viceroy governed with the assistance Imperial Legislative council who passed laws for India. He also had an administration of 70 000 civil servants and soldiers who were British. The British army and police officers were also involved in governing India. However, some Indians served as police officers, lawyers, soldiers, becoming members of the Indian civil service who in charge of encouraging economic development and settling disputes.

By the end of the first world war British rule was still strong in India but this would not be the case for much longer. Many thousands of Indians fought in the first world war believing that in return they would be given home rule of their country. India was a great help to Britain in this war giving a constant supply of man power and offered Hugh financial support allowing Britain to win the war. The Indians seemed to benefit from the war as there was Huge demands for Indian cotton and other raw materials which led to ...

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India desperately wanted reform and independence, but as time progressed the British realized the Indians desire for this and were not ready to give up ruling India easily. The British attitude to the Indians was clear, they expected “a certain standard or courtesy or politeness from the Indians and mixing only for official purposes.”

In order to please the Indians the Morley Minto reforms were passed which were brought about by the secretary of state for India and the viceroy as one of the many reforms giving greater representation to Indian. These reforms for the first time allowed Indians to sit on the imperial legislative council and thus having greater voice in the provincial governments. Nevertheless there was much criticism regarding these reforms because there was still a lack of political power and real influence in the ruling of India. It created divisions between Hindus and Muslims and more importantly prevented many Indians from actually voting.

In 1915 the defence of India act suspended civil liberties for the duration of the war allowing Indians to be arrested without chares. Increased government spending in 1916-17 put a strain on the Indian economy from the war leading to shortages and rising prices. Furthermore there outbreaks of violence in Punjab which increased when no statement was made by the British government of home rule. Therefore lord Chelmsford and the second of state of India E.S Montagau recommended there should be reform in India, which became known as Montagau Chelmsford reform and practiced in the 1919 Indian act. Preceding this, was Rowlett acts were passed by commission as a solution on how the British government was losing control of the situation. The act extending the defence of Indian act into peacetime.

The Indians were outraged by such steps which reconfirmed the British having ultimate control over Indians. There was no intention of self rule. So Rowlett acts were opposed by Indian men of imperial legislation council.

The acts proud Montague Chelmsford reform were meaningless.