Struggle for Swaraj: Simon Commission, Nehru Report, and Purna Swaraj

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: Indian History - Struggle for Independence (1919-1947)
Sub-topic: Struggle for Swaraj - Simon Commission (1927-28), Nehru Report (1928), Purna Swaraj Declaration (1929-30), Lahore Congress Session
Mains GS Paper-I: Indian National Movement - phases of struggle, political developments, constitutional reforms.

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EXAMINER REASONING

This period (1927-1930) is the transition from constitutional demands to full independence - marking the rupture between the Congress and the British. Prelims tests: Simon Commission (boycotted because "no Indian member"), Lala Lajpat Rai's death, Nehru Report (first Indian effort at a constitution), Jinnah's 14 points, Purna Swaraj declaration (Dec 19, 1929 - midnight), 26 Jan 1930 as first Independence Day. Mains demands: (a) the Simon Commission boycott - why, how, impact, (b) the Nehru Report - its recommendations, why Jinnah broke away, (c) the Purna Swaraj resolution - why 1929 was chosen, role of the Lahore Session, (d) the political context - the failure of the Simon Commission and the Government of India Act 1935 as a response, (e) the Muslim communal response - Jinnah's 14 points, Allahabad address of Allama Iqbal (1930). The examiner's favourite framing is: "**How did the idea of Swaraj evolve from Dominion Status to complete independence between...