ABSTRACT
Few British traits have aroused more foreign criticism than the traditional belief in the inevitability of gradualness. The British Government could, with impunity, have completely disregarded Indian sentiment. In Bengal the proceeds of government ferries were handed over to local committees for expenditure on roads and bridges. Lord Minto—a Viceroy who aimed at combining firm government and repression of lawlessness with a progressive policy—was favourably disposed towards that claim, and after two years of discussion the Morley- Minto Reforms were passed into law in 1909. The intention was that ministers would regard themselves as responsible to the Legislature—as an embryonic ‘responsible government’. In the case of the ‘reserved’ subjects the government would go on very much as before and Governors were given the necessary powers to secure the passage of any legislation necessary to their handling of these subjects.
