Congress ministries in Indian provinces, Gandhi's advice on governance, civil liberties reforms, agrarian reforms, and social welfare initiatives during early 20th century India. Explore their impacts, limitations, and key historical events.
Provinces with Congress Ministries: Congress ministries were formed in Bombay, Madras, Central Provinces, Orissa, United Provinces, Bihar, NWFP, and Assam.
Hold Offices Lightly: Gandhi advised Congressmen to treat these offices as ‘crowns of thorns’ and use them in unexpected ways to further the nationalist goal.
Police and Army: Gandhi urged that Congress should prove its ability to rule with minimal reliance on police and the army.
Public Enthusiasm: The formation of Congress ministries released suppressed mass energy and increased the prestige of Congress.
Limitations: Despite enthusiasm, the ministries had limitations in changing the basic imperialist character of the system and introducing radical reforms.
Constraints: Ministries faced constraints like inadequate powers, financial resources, class adjustments, time, and opposition from reactionary forces.
Legislation: Despite constraints, Congress ministries managed to pass laws relating to land reforms, debt relief, and other agrarian issues.
Beneficiaries: Statutory and occupancy tenants benefited the most, while sub-tenants and agricultural laborers did not gain much.
Promoting Industrial Peace: The Congress aimed to advance workers’ interests while promoting industrial peace, advocating for compulsory arbitration before strikes.
Mediation: Ministries acted as mediators between labor and capital, with some success except in Bombay.
Repressive Measures: Some repressive measures were taken, which leftist critics opposed. Nehru supported the ministries in public to protect them from criticism.
Harijan Welfare: Measures taken for welfare, including temple entry, public facilities, scholarships, and increased representation in government services.
Education and Health: Attention given to primary, technical, and higher education, as well as public health and sanitation.
Khadi Promotion: Encouragement given to khadi through subsidies.
Prison Reforms: Undertaken as part of social welfare reforms.
Indigenous Enterprises: Encouragement provided to indigenous enterprises.
Planning Development: Efforts to develop planning through the National Planning Committee set up under Subhash Bose in 1938.
Bureaucratic Morale: The morale of the bureaucracy was lowered.
Neutralization of Hostile Elements: Council work helped to neutralize many previously hostile elements like landlords.
Vision of Independence: The people began to perceive what independence might look like.
Administrative Experience: Indian administration weakened the myth that Indians were unfit to rule.
Congress Resignation: The ministries resigned in October 1939 after the outbreak of the Second World War.
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