What is Simon Commission?

S5-SA1-0077

Grade Level:

Class 6

Law, Civic Literacy, Economics, FinTech, Geopolitics, Personal Finance, Indian Governance

Definition

What is it?

The Simon Commission was a group of seven British Members of Parliament sent to India in 1928 to study constitutional reforms. Its main job was to suggest changes to how India was governed by the British. However, no Indian members were included in this commission.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your school principal forms a committee to decide new rules for your class, like homework or exam patterns. But, they don't include any student representatives in that committee. Just like students would feel left out and unheard, Indians felt the same way about the Simon Commission.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's understand why Indians protested the Simon Commission: --- Step 1: The British government wanted to decide India's future laws and governance. --- Step 2: They formed a special group called the Simon Commission to suggest these changes. --- Step 3: This commission had 7 members, but all of them were British. No Indian was allowed to be a part of it. --- Step 4: Indians felt this was unfair because how could foreigners decide India's future without understanding Indian needs and opinions? --- Step 5: This led to widespread protests, with people shouting 'Simon Go Back!' --- Answer: The exclusion of Indians from a commission meant to decide India's future was the main reason for the protests.

Why It Matters

Understanding the Simon Commission helps us learn about India's struggle for independence and how people fought for their rights. This historical event shows the importance of fair representation in Law and Civic Literacy. Learning about such events can inspire future leaders and policymakers to ensure everyone's voice is heard.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking the Simon Commission was formed by Indians. | CORRECTION: The Simon Commission was formed by the British government to decide India's future.

MISTAKE: Believing Indians were happy with the Simon Commission. | CORRECTION: Indians were very unhappy and protested against the Simon Commission because it had no Indian members.

MISTAKE: Confusing the Simon Commission with other Indian independence movements. | CORRECTION: The Simon Commission was a specific British committee, and the protests against it were one part of the larger Indian independence struggle.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Why was the Simon Commission sent to India? | ANSWER: To study constitutional reforms and suggest changes to how India was governed by the British.

QUESTION: What was the main reason Indians protested the Simon Commission? | ANSWER: The main reason was that the commission had no Indian members, which felt unfair as foreigners were deciding India's future.

QUESTION: If the Simon Commission had included Indian members, do you think the protests would have been different? Explain why. | ANSWER: Yes, the protests might have been less widespread or different. Indians would have felt their voices were represented, even if they didn't agree with all the suggestions, reducing the feeling of complete exclusion.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Who formed the Simon Commission?

Indian National Congress

British Government

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian princes

The Correct Answer Is:

The British Government formed the Simon Commission to review constitutional reforms in India. The other options were not responsible for its formation.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

Just like the Simon Commission was about deciding laws, today, when the Indian Parliament makes new laws, they often invite suggestions from the public, experts, and different political parties. This ensures that many viewpoints are considered before a law is passed, making it more democratic and representative of India's diverse population.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

COMMISSION: A group of people officially chosen for a special task | CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS: Changes or improvements to the basic rules and laws of a country | PROTEST: To express strong disagreement or disapproval | REPRESENTATION: The act of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or a group

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Next, you can learn about the 'Salt Satyagraha' and the 'Civil Disobedience Movement'. These events directly followed the Simon Commission protests and show how Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi continued to fight for India's freedom using non-violent methods.