Which Viceroy is called the 'Father of Local Self-Government' in India, because of his resolution of 1882?

Lord Ripon, the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884, is called the "Father of Local Self-Government" in India, because of his resolution of 18 May 1882 on local self-government.

About the resolution of 1882:

• It provided for the setting up of local boards (district boards and taluka boards) in rural areas, and municipal committees in towns.
• Most of the members of these bodies were to be elected, not nominated.
• The chairman was to be a non-official, as far as possible.
• Local bodies were given control over local matters, such as sanitation, roads, schools and dispensaries, with funds of their own.
• Government control over local bodies was to be exercised from outside, not from within.
• Ripon believed that local self-government would be an instrument of political and popular education.

About Lord Ripon:

• He was a liberal, and a supporter of the British Prime Minister William Gladstone.
• He wanted to give Indians a greater share in government.

His other measures:

• He repealed the press law passed by his predecessor, restoring the freedom of the Indian-language press (1882).
• He set up a commission on education, which recommended the expansion of primary education.
• He raised the maximum age for the Indian Civil Service examination from 19 to 21.
• He introduced measures for the welfare of factory workers.

The Ilbert Bill controversy:

• The Ilbert Bill (1883), introduced during his time, proposed to allow Indian judges to try Europeans in criminal cases.
• It faced strong opposition from the Europeans in India, and was modified; this showed the racial attitudes of the British and helped the growth of Indian nationalism.

His popularity:

He was very popular among Indians; when he left, large crowds gathered to see him off.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Mayo, Dufferin and Lansdowne were other Viceroys.