The Montagu Declaration, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was a statement made by Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, on August 20, 1917. The declaration was made in the British Parliament and set out the British government’s plans for constitutional reform in India.
The Montagu Declaration marked a significant step towards greater Indian autonomy, as it promised to increase the involvement of Indians in the governance of their own country. The declaration stated that the ultimate aim of British policy was the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India and the progressive realization of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire.
The Montagu Declaration was followed by the Government of India Act 1919, which put the reforms promised in the declaration into effect. The act established a dual system of government in India, in which the British government retained control over defense and foreign affairs, while a newly established Indian Legislative Assembly was given greater control over domestic affairs.
In conclusion, the Montagu Declaration was a significant step towards greater Indian autonomy, as it promised to increase the involvement of Indians in the governance of their own country. The declaration was followed by the Government of India Act 1919, which put the reforms promised in the declaration into effect and marked a turning point in the history of British India.