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× #1 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #2 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #3 Vedic Civilization: Evolution of Society and Thought in Ancient India #4 Mahajanapadas and the Rise of Kingdoms in Ancient India #5 The Rise of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya #6 Emperor Ashoka and the Spread of Buddhism #7 Decline of the Mauryan Empire #8 The Rise of the Shunga Dynasty and the Brahmanical Revival #9 The Satavahana Dynasty – Bridging North and South India #10 The Indo-Greek and Kushan Invasions – Crossroads of Cultures #11 The Sangam Age – Literature, Trade, and Tamilakam’s Golden Past #12 Mauryan Empire – Political Centralization and Ashoka’s Dhamma #13 Post-Mauryan Age – Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushans, and Cultural Exchanges #14 The Rise and Achievements of the Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE) #15 Post-Gupta Period and the Rise of Regional Kingdoms (c. 550–750 CE) #16 Pallavas and Chalukyas: South India’s Classical Kingdoms (c. 6th–8th Century CE) #17 Rashtrakutas and Their Contributions to Art and Empire (c. 8th–10th Century CE) #18 Pandyas and Cheras: Southern Trade and Cultural Flourishing (c. 6th Century BCE – 13th Century CE) #19 The Rise of the Maurya Empire and the Role of Chandragupta Maurya #20 The Reign of Bindusara – Consolidation and Expansion of the Maurya Empire #21 Foundation and Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate #22 Alauddin Khalji’s Market Reforms and Military Expansion #23 Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s Ambitious Experiments and Their Consequences #24 Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Welfare State and Religious Orthodoxy #25 Rise of the Vijayanagara Empire: Foundation, Expansion, and Administration #26 Bahmani Sultanate: Origin, Administration, and Cultural Contributions #27 Delhi Sultanate under the Tughlaq Dynasty: Reforms, Failures, and Legacy #28 Vijayanagara Empire: Rise, Administration, Culture, and Downfall #29 Bahmani Kingdom: Origin, Culture, and Struggle with Vijayanagara #30 Delhi Sultanate in the South: Influence on the Deccan #31 Krishna Deva Raya: The Philosopher King and His Administration #32 Battle of Talikota (1565) and the Decline of the Vijayanagara Empire #33 Mughal Empire: Rise under Babur and Humayun #34 Akbar the Great: Expansion and Consolidation of the Mughal Empire #35 Jahangir and Shah Jahan: Continuity, Culture, and the Peak of Mughal Aesthetics #36 Aurangzeb: Orthodoxy, Expansion, and the Seeds of Decline #37 Later Mughals and the Decline of the Empire (1707–1857) #38 The Maratha Confederacy: Rise, Expansion, and Conflicts with the Mughals and British #39 The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh #40 Bhakti and Sufi Movements: Spiritual Awakening in Medieval India #41 Mughal Administration: Centralization, Mansabdari, and Provincial Governance #42 Rise of the Marathas: Shivaji, Administration, and Expansion #43 Peshwa Administration and the Expansion of Maratha Power in North India #44 Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Causes, Course, and Consequences #45 Decline of the Mughal Empire: Internal Weaknesses and External Pressures #46 Establishment of British Power in India: From Trading Company to Political Empire #47 The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Events, and Consequences #48 Social Reform Movements in 19th Century India: Bridging Tradition and Modernity #49 Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885): The Birth of Political Awakening in India #50 Partition of Bengal (1905): Divide and Rule Strategy and the Rise of Extremist Nationalism #51 The Surat Split (1907): Clash of Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress #52 The Home Rule Movement (1916): Laying the Foundation for Self-Governance #53 The Lucknow Pact (1916): A Rare Moment of Hindu-Muslim Unity #54 The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act, 1919: A Step Forward or a Tactical Delay? #55 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Gandhi’s Mass Awakening of India #56 Simon Commission and Nehru Report (1927–28): Rejection, Resistance, and the Quest for Dominion Status #57 Lahore Session of 1929 and the Demand for Purna Swaraj: The Tricolour of Defiance #58 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34): Salt, Satyagraha, and the Spirit of Rebellion #59 Round Table Conferences (1930–1932): Dialogues Amidst Dissonance #60 Government of India Act 1935: The Last Colonial Blueprint #61 Quit India Movement (1942): A Call for “Do or Die” #62 Indian National Army and Subhas Chandra Bose: The Armed Resistance Against Empire #63 The Royal Indian Navy Revolt (1946): Mutiny That Rocked the Empire #64 The Mountbatten Plan and the Partition of India (1947): Final Steps to Freedom #65 Integration of Princely States and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Role: The Iron Man’s Mission to Unite India #66 Formation and Adoption of the Indian Constitution: The Framing of a Republic #67 Nagara style of Temple Architecture and its regional variations #68 Dravida Style of Temple Architecture and Its Features #69 The Legacy and Philosophy of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati #70 The Arya Samaj Movement and Its Impact on Indian Society #71 India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the UNESCO list #72 Tribal Art and Culture of India: Warli, Gond, and Santhal Traditions #73 The syncretic nature of Sufi and Bhakti movements in promoting social harmony #74 Contributions of ancient India to Science and Mathematics (e.g., metallurgy, astronomy) #75 Development of Rock-Cut Architecture from Mauryan caves to Pallava Rathas #76 Maritime history of ancient and medieval India: Trade, cultural exchange, and naval power #77 The role and status of women in the Vedic and post-Vedic periods #78 The influence of Buddhist art and philosophy on Southeast Asian culture #79 Raja Ram Mohan Roy #80 Swami Vivekananda #81 Swami Dayananda Saraswati #82 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar #83 Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa #84 Rani Lakshmibai: The Warrior Queen of Jhansi #85 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The Architect of Modern India's Social Justice #86 Jyotirao Phule: The Pioneer of Social Reform and Education in Modern India #87 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Moderate Reformer and Mentor of Gandhi #88 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: The Father of Indian Unrest and the Awakening of National Consciousness #89 Annie Besant: The Theosophist, Reformer, and Catalyst for Indian Nationalism #90 Dadabhai Naoroji: The Grand Old Man of India and the Architect of Economic Nationalism #91 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Liberal Reformer and Mentor of Mahatma Gandhi #92 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Father of Indian Unrest and Champion of Swaraj #93 Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Who Lit the Flame of Freedom #94 Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab and a Voice of Assertive Nationalism #95 Robert Clive (1754-1767) #96 Warren Hastings (1772–1785): The First Governor-General of India #97 Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793): Reformer of British Administration in India #98 Lord Wellesley (1798–1805): Architect of British Supremacy through Subsidiary Alliance #99 Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore and the Struggle Against British Colonialism #100 DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SERVICES #101 Champaran Satyagraha

HISTORY

Introduction

In the mid-1920s, India’s political landscape was changing rapidly. After the Non-Cooperation Movement and Gandhi’s imprisonment, nationalist demands grew louder. The British government responded by forming the Simon Commission in 1927 to assess the working of the Government of India Act 1919.

However, it excluded all Indian members, triggering massive protests. In retaliation, Indian leaders proposed the Nehru Report, outlining a vision of a self-governing India. This moment marked a shift from protest to constitution-making.

1. Why the Simon Commission Was Formed

Background

  • The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) introduced diarchy at the provincial level.

  • The Act required a review after 10 years (i.e., by 1929).

  • British Conservatives under PM Stanley Baldwin preponed the review to 1927, fearing Labour may lose in future elections.

Composition

  • Chaired by Sir John Simon

  • 7 members – all British MPs, no Indian representation.

2. Why the Simon Commission Was Rejected

Reason Explanation
❌ No Indian Member Seen as a direct insult to Indian political aspirations.
❌ Violation of Self-Respect Indians demanded to shape their own destiny.
❌ Growing Mass Nationalism People were more politically conscious after 1919–22 events.

 

Call for Boycott

  • All major Indian political groups boycotted it.

  • The slogan: “Simon Go Back!” echoed across the country.

3. Major Events During Simon Commission Protest

a. Nationwide Agitations (1928)

  • Hartals, strikes, and black flag demonstrations.

  • Lala Lajpat Rai led a massive protest in Lahore.

b. Death of Lala Lajpat Rai

  • Brutally lathi-charged by police during a peaceful protest.

  • Died of injuries.

  • Bhagat Singh and associates avenged his death by killing Saunders, a British officer.

4. The Indian Response: All Parties Conference & Nehru Report

To present an Indian alternative, an All Parties Conference was held in 1928, chaired by Motilal Nehru.

Key Members

  • Motilal Nehru (Chairman)

  • Jawaharlal Nehru

  • Tej Bahadur Sapru

  • Subhas Chandra Bose

  • M.R. Jayakar

5. Nehru Report (1928): Highlights and Proposals

The Nehru Report was India’s first major constitutional blueprint and demanded Dominion Status (like Canada or Australia within the British Empire).

Main Provisions

Area Proposal
Type of Government Parliamentary system with full Dominion Status
Fundamental Rights Equality before law, freedom of expression, religion, and protection of minorities
Secularism No state religion; religious neutrality
Linguistic Rights Use of Hindi as the national language but with protection to other languages
Universal Adult Franchise Recommended, but not mandatory
Provincial Autonomy Full autonomy with clear division of powers
Minority Rights No separate electorates for minorities (controversial)

 

6. Controversies and Criticism

a. From the Muslim League

  • Opposed the refusal of separate electorates.

  • Muhammad Ali Jinnah rejected the Nehru Report and proposed his Fourteen Points (1929).

b. From the Young Radicals

  • Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose were disappointed with the demand for Dominion Status instead of full independence.

7. Historical Significance of the Simon Commission Episode

Impact Details
✅ Pan-India Unity All parties, including the Congress, Muslim League, and liberals, boycotted the Commission.
✅ Strengthening Constitutional Aspirations Nehru Report became a foundational document.
✅ Youth Mobilization Gave rise to new leaders and revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Bose, and Jawaharlal Nehru.
✅ Clearer Ideological Divides Moderates (Dominion status) vs. Radicals (Purna Swaraj).

 

8. Legacy and Conclusion

The Simon Commission and Nehru Report marked a turning point in India’s freedom movement:

  • The British refusal to include Indians in decision-making deepened nationalist distrust.

  • The Nehru Report showed that Indians were ready to draft their own constitution.

  • It exposed cracks in communal unity, especially over separate electorates.

  • It also set the stage for the 1929 Lahore Session, where the demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence) was finally adopted.

Thus, while the Simon Commission was rejected outright, it provoked an Indian constitutional awakening and moved the national movement toward more assertive demands.