Montagu-Chelmsford reforms were reforms introduced by the British Govt. in India to introduce self-governing institutions gradually to India.The reforms take their name from Edwin Samuel Montagu, the secretary of state for India during the later parts of WW I and
Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India between 1916 and 1921. The reforms were outlined in the Montagu-Chelmsford report prepared in 1918 and formed the basis of the Govt. of India Act, 1919.
Indian Nationalists considered that the reforms did not
go far enough while British conservatives were critical
Edwin Samuel Montagu of them.
This was actually another step forward for binding India
in a constitutional net work.
Edwin Montagu became Secretary of State for India in June 1917 after Austen Chamberlain resigned after the capture of Kut by the Turks in 1916 and the capture of an Indian army staged there.he put before the British cabinet a proposed statement containing a phrase that he intended to work towards the gradual development of free institutions in India with a view to ultimate self-govt. This was extension idea fostered by lord Curzon.
