Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction
   • Briefly introduce Lord Ripon and his tenure as the Viceroy of India (1880-1884).
   • Mention the context of India during his rule (famine, regressive policies, and discontent).
2. Social Reforms
   • Factories Act of 1881: Explain how this Act aimed to improve labor conditions, particularly protecting children from exploitation and improving working conditions for young laborers.
     • Fact: The Act prohibited the employment of children below seven years and limited working hours for children under twelve. It also mandated breaks and holidays for workers.
     • Source: Passed during Ripon’s tenure in 1881 to address labor conditions.
   • Repeal of the Vernacular Press Act (1882): Discuss how Ripon’s opposition to the repressive Vernacular Press Act led to its repeal, ensuring freedom of the press in vernacular languages.
     • Fact: The Vernacular Press Act (1878) had censored non-English publications critical of British policies. Ripon repealed it in 1882.
     • Source: Vernacular Press Act repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882 to restore freedom to Indian press.
3. Economic Reforms
   • Financial Decentralization: Explain Ripon’s efforts to decentralize financial power to provinces, giving them control over their own revenue sources.
     • Fact: He divided revenue sources into imperial, provincial, and divided categories, which allowed provinces more financial autonomy.
     • Source: The Ripon financial agreement of 1882, which remained in effect until 1904.
   • Efforts in Land and Tenancy Reforms: Mention Ripon’s initiatives to address the grievances of farmers, especially in Bengal, through the appointment of the Rent Commission and subsequent reforms.
     • Fact: The Rent Commission was set up in 1880, and its recommendations led to the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885 (after Ripon’s tenure).
     • Source: The Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885, based on the Rent Commission’s findings.
4. Political Reforms
   • Local Self-Government Resolution (1882): Highlight Ripon’s introduction of the Resolution of 1882, which laid the foundation for local self-government in India by creating elected local councils.
     • Fact: The Resolution aimed to train Indians to manage local affairs, thus fostering self-governance.
     • Source: The Local Self-Government Resolution of 1882.
   • The Ilbert Bill (1883): Discuss the controversial Ilbert Bill, which aimed to grant Indian judges the right to try British offenders, challenging racial prejudices in the legal system.
     • Fact: The Bill sought to remove racial discrimination in the Indian Penal Code, allowing Indian judges to try British offenders at the district level.
     • Source: Introduced in 1883 during Ripon’s tenure as part of efforts to reduce racial discrimination in the legal system.
5. Educational Reforms
   • Hunter Commission (1882): Mention the establishment of the Hunter Commission, which called for the expansion of education in India, particularly primary education.
     • Fact: The Hunter Commission stressed that the British government should improve the education system in India, particularly primary education.
     • Source: The Hunter Commission of 1882, which aimed to enhance the state of education in India.
6. Conclusion
   • Summarize Ripon’s reforms and their progressive nature. Mention how his initiatives aimed to improve the living conditions of Indians, their political rights, and economic autonomy.
   • Conclude by stating that Lord Ripon’s reforms made him one of the most progressive Viceroys of India, despite the challenges faced during his tenure.

Relevant Facts for Answer

1. Factories Act of 1881: The Act prohibited the employment of children below seven years and limited working hours for children below twelve. It also provided mandatory breaks and holidays for workers. Source: Factories Act, 1881.
2. Repeal of the Vernacular Press Act (1882): The Act, imposed by Lord Lytton, had severely restricted the freedom of the vernacular press. Lord Ripon repealed the act in 1882 to restore freedom of the press. Source: The Vernacular Press Act, 1878; Lord Ripon’s repeal in 1882.
3. Financial Decentralization: The system of dividing revenue into imperial, provincial, and divided categories was introduced by Lord Ripon to give more control to provinces. Source: Ripon financial agreement, 1882.
4. Rent Commission and Bengal Tenancy Act: The Rent Commission was set up in 1880 to address the demands of Bengal farmers. Its recommendations led to the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885. Source: Bengal Tenancy Act, 1885.
5. Local Self-Government Resolution (1882): The Resolution created a framework for establishing local councils, aimed at training Indians to manage local self-governance. Source: Local Self-Government Resolution, 1882.
6. Ilbert Bill (1883): The Bill allowed Indian judges to try British offenders, addressing racial discrimination in the Indian Penal Code. Source: The Ilbert Bill, 1883.
7. Hunter Commission (1882): The Commission emphasized the responsibility of the British government to improve education, especially primary education, in India. Source: Hunter Commission, 1882.