Simon Commission of 1928 was one of the most controversial events in the Indian independence movement. The Simon Commission had been formed by the British Government with the objective of reviewing the functioning of the Government of India Act of 1919. It was expected to propose constitutional reforms of British India.

Instead, the appointment of a purely British panel by the commission aroused great ire among the people. When the commission landed in India, all sorts of protests were held against them raising the well-known slogan of “Simon go back.”

What Was the Simon Commission?

• Simon Commission, which was officially named the Indian Statutory Commission, was appointed by the British Government in 1927 under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon.
• The main aim of the commission was to study the functioning of the Government of India Act of 1919 and make suggestions for changing the constitutional and administrative structure of India.
• The commission comprised seven British members. Surprisingly, there was not even a single Indian in it.
• This was the main point of contention among Indian politicians who felt that the commission deciding the constitution of India must have some representation from Indian political parties.

Why Was the Simon Commission Sent To India?

• According to the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919, there was dyarchy in the provinces whereby some issues were divided between the elected Indian ministers and British authorities.
• There was also provision for the review of the act after a stipulated period of time. In consequence, the British government sent the Simon Commission to assess the working of the constitution and make further reforms.
• The commission was meant to investigate on issues like provincial administration, constitutional development, communal representation, and political scenario in India.
• However, the all-British nature of the commission made the issue of constitutional review a major political problem.

Why Were Indians Against the Simon Commission?

• The most notable factor for opposition by Indians to the Simon Commission was its all-British nature without any Indian members.
• According to Indian nationalists, it is important for Indians to participate in shaping the constitutional future of their country, so that commission was considered a humiliation to Indian politics.
• Moreover, the disappointment was felt more strongly because Indian leaders were already demanding increased participation in the government and self-rule.
• Some nationalist leaders even accused the British government of controlling the speed and nature of constitutional reforms as a way of not heeding to India’s demands for self-government.

Simon Commission’s Visit to India

• The Simon Commission reached Bombay on February 3, 1928. The visit resulted in widespread agitation all over India.
• The Indian National Congress resolved to boycott the commission during its meeting in Madras in 1927, under the chairmanship of M.A. Ansari.
• Apart from the Congress, there were several other political parties that also opposed the Simon Commission. An element within the Muslim League headed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah favoured the decision to boycott the commission.
• Protests broke out in many places and strike processions took place. Black flags were used as the sign of protest, and the crowds often shouted, “Simon Go Back.”
• The role of students and youths was very significant in the protest movement.

Major Protest Against the Simon Commission in Lahore

• One such major protest took place in Lahore on October 30, 1928.
• The protest march in Lahore was spearheaded by the famous nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai. There was an agitated procession against the Simon Commission holding black flags.
• The police resorted to a baton charge which injured the popular nationalist Lala Lajpat Rai.
• He succumbed to his injuries and passed away on November 17, 1928.
• His death aroused anger all over India and further strengthened the anti-British sentiment among Indians.
• The incident had a great effect on revolutionary youths. Revolutionaries later regarded the martyrdom of Lala Lajpat Rai as the result of repressive policy of British rulers.

Simon Commission and Nehru Report

• The controversies relating to the commission also prompted Indian politicians to formulate their own plans for a constitution.
• In 1928, a meeting of all parties appointed a committee headed by Motilal Nehru to draft a plan of constitution for India. This report came to be known as the Nehru Report.
• The report advocated the grant of Dominion Status to India within the British Commonwealth, parliamentary government and fundamental rights and constitutional democracy.
• It also opposed the communal electorates in favour of an integrated political arrangement.
• Nehru Report highlighted the fact that Indian politicians were now becoming capable of formulating their own constitutional plan rather than reacting to the British plans.

Simon Commission and Emergence of New Nationalism

• The agitation against the Simon Commission also contributed to creating an environment in which new nationalist leaders and organizations could come into prominence.
• The death of Lala Lajpat Rai proved very significant for revolutionary organizations. Bhagat Singh was one of those revolutionaries who was profoundly influenced by the political environment created by the Simon Commission agitation.
• The event thus linked constitutional nationalism to the increasing appeal of new methods amongst certain segments of Indian youth.

Impact of the Simon Commission

• There were various repercussions for the freedom movement in India due to the Simon Commission.
• First, the boycott highlighted the ability of various political groupings to cooperate in opposition to British constitutional initiatives. The boycott involved the Congress, the Muslim League, and other nationalist organizations.
• Secondly, the Commission made Indian nationalists insist on their involvement in the process of drafting the Indian constitution. Indians ceased to wait for Britain to decide their constitutional fate.
• Finally, the Commission played a role in the emergence of the Nehru Report, which became one of the key constitutional documents of the nationalist movement.

Simon Commission and Government of India Act 1935

• The recommendations of the Simon Commission did affect further developments, even though the later Government of India Act, 1935 was beyond them.
• The Act introduced provincial autonomy and abolished dyarchy in the provinces. In addition, it envisaged the expansion of the legislative bodies and increased powers of the Indian representatives in them.
• Still, the Act did not provide for any self-government and independence of India. As a result, the demands of nationalists increased.

Key Points of the Simon Commission

• The Simon Commission was formed in 1927 to study the Government of India Act of 1919. The head of the commission was Sir John Simon, and it comprised of seven members, all of whom were from Britain.
• It reached Bombay on February 3, 1928, where it was greeted with widespread protest demonstrations.
• The popular slogan that was used during the demonstration protests was “Simon Go Back.”
• The protest at Lahore, which took place on October 30, 1928, was spearheaded by Lala Lajpat Rai, who died of injuries sustained during the protest on November 17, 1928.
• It is worth noting that the controversy surrounding the Simon Commission paved the way for the formulation of the Nehru Report of 1928.

The Chauri Chaura Incident that occurred in 1922 was one of the most significant events in the history of the Indian independence movement. The clash between the demonstrators and the police, which resulted in the killing of 22 policemen, compelled Mahatma Gandhi to stop the Non-Cooperation Movement at the moment when it had already gathered significant momentum.

The problem with violence during the mass movements was exposed by this event, which had its influence on the subsequent development of the process of obtaining freedom by India.

What Is the Chauri Chaura Incident?

The Chauri Chaura Incident took place on February 4, 1922, in Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur district of the United Provinces that is now Uttar Pradesh. This event happened at the period of the Non-Cooperation Movement, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, in 1920.

There were a lot of demonstrators who had gathered for protesting against the British authorities in connection with the picketing of the liquor shop. The police had opened fire on the demonstrators; as a result, three of them were killed, which infuriated the crowd.

Then the protesters attacked the police, which compelled them to hide in the police station. The crowd set this building on fire, and as a result, 22 policemen died.

Background of the Chauri Chaura Case

The event took place during a time when there was high political activity in the country. The Non-Cooperation movement of Gandhi inspired Indians to stop co-operating with British institutions, to refrain from using foreign goods and become self-dependent.

There were people of different social backgrounds taking part in the movement. However, often local conflicts, financial problems and dissatisfaction with colonial administration led to the development of protests.

Local conflicts, economic problems and dissatisfaction with colonial administration played a role in forming the tense situation in Chauri Chaura.

The Events of February 4, 1922

On February 4, a crowd of 2000–3000 demonstrators gathered in Chauri Chaura. It was an action within the framework of the Non-Cooperation movement.

When the situation became tense, the police tried to break up the demonstration and shot at the protesters. As a result, three people were killed, which caused anger among the crowd.

Then, the protesters attacked the police and drove them to the police station. The building was burned, and 22 policemen locked up in the station died.

This event had surprised the national leaders since it went against the Gandhi’s claims about the peaceful nature of the Non-Cooperation movement.

Why Did Mahatma Gandhi Call Off the Non-Cooperation Movement?

The violence at the Chauri Chaura had a huge impact on Gandhi. He felt that the movement had deviated from the principle of Ahimsa, which forms the very essence of his political philosophy.

On February 12, 1922, Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement.

It was a controversial move since the Non-Cooperation Movement was gathering momentum and enjoying wide acceptance. Quite a few leaders within the nationalist fold expressed their shock and disappointment at the sudden suspension of the agitation.

To Gandhi, pursuing a mass movement without proper training and discipline could lead to more violence. For him, an independent India gained through violent means lacked the moral legitimacy of the fight.

Thus, the act of withdrawing from the mass movement showed Gandhi’s commitment to non-violence as a principle of India’s struggle for freedom.

Causes for the Chauri Chaura Incident

It should be noted that the occurrence was not the result of one reason but a combination of various causes. The oppressive British policies had led to the growth of resentment due to their taxes and economic restrictions.

Moreover, the effects of World War I had made the situation worse due to rising prices, unemployment and shortage of goods.

Politically speaking, the Non-Cooperation Movement had united millions of Indians into one powerful mass movement, encouraging people to rebel against British rulers. The discontent among local communities often merged with the struggle for national freedom.

At Chauri Chaura, discontent with the local authorities and the immediate clash between protesters and police created the right conditions for violence.

Effect on Indian Independence Movement

The cancellation of the Non-Cooperation Movement became a serious blow to the nationalist movement in the short run. Nevertheless, Chauri Chaura Incident also affected the future path of the freedom struggle.

The incident highlighted the stress on discipline, non-violence and constructive work advocated by Gandhi. Later, he paid more attention to such issues as promotion of khadi, rural upliftment and social reforms.

At the same time, certain nationalists became disillusioned with the canceling of the movement. This dissatisfaction affected the debate over the Congress political strategy in the future.

C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru were instrumental in setting up the Swaraj Party in 1923. The party intended to contest elections and fight colonial policies from within the legislative councils.

Some nationalists became revolutionary due to the influence of Chauri Chaura Incident. They considered themselves obliged to take some harsh measures in order to free India from British rule.

Chauri Chaura Trials and Madan Mohan Malaviya

As a result of Chauri Chaura Incident, the British authorities carried out mass arrests and tried the accused participants of the violent act.

Madan Mohan Malaviya rendered great help in defending the accused. Due to his legal activity, he managed to save the lives of many accused persons.

Thus, trials also became an important part of the consequences of the Chauri Chaura Incident.

Chauri Chaura Incident as a Turning Point

The Chauri Chaura Incident is considered a turning point as it highlighted the difficulties in the control of such a mass movement.

In Gandhi’s case, the incident brought him to conclude that for a political movement, there must be a commitment to non-violence and discipline. This explains why Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The Chauri Chaura Incident also highlighted the conflict between the anger of the masses towards colonial rule and the disciplined approach advocated by the nationalists.

India’s railway network is rapidly transforming with the introduction of modern trains designed for faster, safer, and more comfortable travel. Among the most prominent names are Vande Bharat Express, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat Express.

Although all three trains represent the modernisation of Indian Railways, they are designed for different travel requirements. Vande Bharat focuses on premium inter-city travel, Namo Bharat is designed for fast regional connectivity, while Amrit Bharat aims to provide affordable long-distance travel.

So, which train is the fastest among Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, and Amrit Bharat? Let us compare their speed, acceleration, technology, and purpose.

Vande Bharat vs Namo Bharat vs Amrit Bharat: At a Glance

Feature	Vande Bharat Express	Namo Bharat	Amrit Bharat Express
Train Type	Self-propelled electric trainset	Self-propelled regional trainset	Locomotive-hauled push-pull LHB rake
Maximum Speed	Up to 160 km/h	Up to 160 km/h operationally	Up to 130 km/h operationally
Design Speed	Up to 160 km/h	180 km/h	160 km/h
Acceleration	Around 52 seconds to 100 km/h	Around 55 seconds to 100 km/h	Around 2–3 minutes
Main Purpose	Medium/long-distance inter-city travel	Short-distance regional connectivity	Affordable long-distance travel
Major Classes	Chair Car & Executive Class	Premium & Standard commuter cars	Sleeper & General
Best For	Fast and premium inter-city journeys	Frequent regional travel	Budget-friendly long-distance travel

Which Is the Fastest: Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat or Amrit Bharat?

Based on the speed figures provided, Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat have the highest operational speed of up to 160 km/h, while Amrit Bharat has a lower operational speed of around 110–130 km/h.

However, maximum speed is not the only factor that determines how quickly a train completes a journey. Acceleration, braking, number of stops, route conditions, and permitted track speed also influence overall travel time.

1. Vande Bharat Express

Vande Bharat Express is an indigenous semi-high-speed trainset developed using distributed propulsion technology. Unlike conventional trains, it does not depend on a single locomotive at the front. Its coaches include powered units, allowing it to accelerate and decelerate quickly.

Key Speed Features:

• Maximum permissible speed: Up to 160 km/h
• Acceleration: Around 0–100 km/h in 52 seconds
• Distributed propulsion for faster acceleration and braking
• Designed for medium- and long-distance inter-city journeys

Its strong acceleration makes Vande Bharat particularly effective on routes where trains have to repeatedly slow down and accelerate after stations, curves, and signals.

Best choice for: Passengers looking for a fast, premium inter-city journey.

2. Namo Bharat

Namo Bharat is designed around the concept of rapid regional connectivity. Its trainset technology supports quick acceleration and frequent stops, making it suitable for connecting major urban centres with nearby towns and cities.

Key Speed Features:

• Maximum design speed: 180 km/h
• Maximum operational speed: 160 km/h
• Rapid acceleration and braking
• Designed for frequent-stop regional services

Because regional services typically have shorter distances between stations, quick acceleration is especially important. The train can regain speed rapidly after making a station stop.

Best choice for: Fast regional journeys and frequent commuter travel.

3. Amrit Bharat Express

Amrit Bharat Express is designed primarily to provide affordable long-distance travel. Unlike Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat, it uses a locomotive-hauled LHB configuration with a push-pull arrangement, involving locomotives at both ends.

Key Speed Features:

• Maximum design speed: 160 km/h
• Operational speed: Around 110–130 km/h
• Push-pull locomotive configuration
• Sleeper and General class accommodation
• Focus on affordable long-distance travel

Its main objective is not premium high-speed travel but providing a faster and more comfortable alternative for passengers travelling long distances at affordable fares.

Best choice for: Budget-conscious passengers travelling long distances.

Vande Bharat vs Namo Bharat vs Amrit Bharat: Speed Comparison

When comparing the three trains purely on their stated maximum operational speeds:

Vande Bharat = 160 km/h
Namo Bharat = 160 km/h
Amrit Bharat = 110–130 km/h

Therefore, Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat rank ahead of Amrit Bharat in terms of maximum operational speed based on the figures provided.

However, their purposes are different. Namo Bharat is optimised for regional routes with frequent stops, while Vande Bharat is designed primarily for inter-city travel.

Which Train Has the Fastest Acceleration?

Acceleration is another important factor when judging a train’s time-saving capability.

• Vande Bharat: Around 52 seconds to reach 100 km/h
• Namo Bharat: Around 55 seconds to reach 100 km/h
• Amrit Bharat: Around 2–3 minutes for a smoother push-pull start

The trainset designs of Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat allow them to accelerate rapidly after station stops. Amrit Bharat’s push-pull configuration also improves acceleration compared with conventional locomotive-hauled trains, but it is primarily designed around affordable long-distance travel.

Why Does Acceleration Matter?

A train does not travel at its maximum speed throughout an entire journey. It must slow down for stations, curves, signals, speed restrictions, and other operational requirements.

A train with faster acceleration can reach its permitted speed more quickly after a stop, potentially reducing overall journey time on routes with multiple stations.

This is one of the major advantages of modern trainset technology used in Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat.

Which Train Should You Choose?

The best train depends on your travel requirements.

Choose Vande Bharat if:

• You want a premium inter-city travel experience.
• You prefer AC Chair Car or Executive Class.
• Faster acceleration and higher permissible speeds are important.
• You are travelling between major cities.

Choose Namo Bharat if:

• You are travelling between nearby regional cities.
• You need frequent and fast regional connectivity.
• Quick acceleration and frequent services are important.
• Your journey is relatively short.

Choose Amrit Bharat if:

• You want an affordable long-distance journey.
• You prefer Sleeper or General class accommodation.
• Premium AC facilities are not your priority.
• You want a modern alternative to conventional long-distance trains.