Lord Chelmsford was succeeded by Lord Reading in 1921 as Governor-General and Viceroy of India. He was a British Liberal politician and judge, who served as Lord Chief Justice of England.
He was born in a humble Jew family but had risen to the ranks of Chief Justice of England with his talent and hard work. In 1921, he resigned the chief justiceship to become Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
His tenure was a testing time for British. The Non-cooperation Movement had reached climax and was abruptly withdrawn in 1922. There were frequent strikes all over the country. This period saw a sudden rise in communal growth and fringe elements in both Hindu and Muslim Community.
Reading preferred a conciliatory policy: he was determined to implement the provisions of the Government of India Act 1919 and opposed racial discrimination.
He personally received Gandhi and Jinnah, and visited Amritsar as a gesture of reconciliation. However, he ended up using force on several occasions: in 1921 he ordered the suppression of the Malabar rebellion, and in 1922 he put down Sikh unrest in the Punjab. The same year, he had Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi arrested for sedition.
Other events during his tenure included:
• Prince of Wales visited India, 1921
• Foundation of Communist Party of India,1921
• Moplah Rebellion, 1921
• Start of Vishwa Bharati University, 1922
• Repeal of Rowlatt Act,1922
• Formation of Swaraj Party , 1923
• Simultaneous Examinations of Civil Services in London and Delhi ,1923
• Suddhi Movement, 1923
• Rise of Communal Politics,1923
• Peshawar Conspiracy, 1923
• Return of Swaraj Party to Congress,1924
• Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case 1924
• Foundation of Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Nagpur, 1925
269. Lord Reading- Governor General and Viceroy of India (1921-1925)
