Who is known as the 'Father of Local Self-Government in India'?

Lord Ripon (George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon) was the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884. He was a liberal who believed in giving Indians a greater role in their own government.

Ripon's Resolution on Local Self-Government, issued on 18 May 1882, is regarded as the "Magna Carta of local self-government" in India. It proposed:

Setting up local boards in rural areas (district and sub-divisional or taluka boards) and municipal bodies in towns.

A majority of non-official (elected) members on these bodies.

Elected non-official chairmen where possible.

Giving these bodies control over local matters, such as sanitation, health, education, roads and water supply, with their own sources of revenue.

Ripon's aim was to use local bodies as a means of political and popular education for Indians. Though the scheme was implemented only partly, it laid the foundation for later local government in India. This is why he is called the "Father of Local Self-Government in India".

Other important measures during Ripon's time:

• Repeal of the Vernacular Press Act (1882), passed by Lord Lytton.
• The first Factory Act (1881), which regulated the working hours of children in factories.
• The first regular census of India (1881).
• The Hunter Commission on education (1882).

The Ilbert Bill controversy (1883-84). The Bill, proposed by the Law Member Courtenay Ilbert, would have allowed Indian judges to try Europeans in criminal cases. It faced fierce opposition from Europeans in India and had to be diluted. This showed Indians the racial attitudes of the British and contributed to the growth of nationalism.

Ripon was so popular among Indians that he was given a great send-off when he left India.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Lord Mayo introduced financial decentralisation (1870) and was assassinated in the Andaman Islands (1872).
• ✗Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal (1905).
• ✗Lord Lytton passed the Vernacular Press Act (1878).