Sir C.P. Ilbert, a law member of the Viceroy's Council, introduced the Ilbert Bill, which led to the Ilbert Bill Controversy. With reference to this, consider the following statements:
1. Queen Victoria fully supported Lord Ripon on the Ilbert Bill issue.
2. The bill failed to gain approval and was replaced by an amended version that prohibited European trials by Indian judges.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question

Sir C.P. Ilbert, a law member of the Viceroy's Council, introduced the Ilbert Bill, which led to the Ilbert Bill Controversy. With reference to this, consider the following statements:
1. Queen Victoria fully supported Lord Ripon on the Ilbert Bill issue.
2. The bill failed to gain approval and was replaced by an amended version that prohibited European trials by Indian judges.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is not correct: Ilbert Bill aimed to abolish racial distinctions in the judiciary and allow Indian judges to try European British subjects. Queen Victoria did not support Lord Ripon on the Ilbert Bill issue. Instead, there was significant criticism from British newspapers like The Times, and Queen Victoria herself doubted the wisdom of the proposed bill.

Statement 2 is not correct: The Ilbert Bill was eventually passed in a compromised form on 26 January 1884. The amended version allowed European British subjects to demand a trial by jury, with at least 7 out of 12 jurors being Europeans or Americans. This amendment diluted the original intent of the bill but did not entirely prohibit Indian judges from trying Europeans.

British Colonial Rule in India

Ilbert Bill Controversy

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
Sir C.P. Ilbert, a law member of the Viceroy's Council, introduced the Ilbert Bill, which led to the Ilbert Bill Controversy. With reference to this, consider the following statements: 1. Queen Victoria fully supported Lord Ripon on the Ilbert Bill issue. 2. The bill failed to gain approval and was replaced by an amended version that prohibited European trials by Indian judges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2