Q. Who can be called the father of local self-government in India?
(a) Lord Ripon
(b) Lord Minto
(c) Lord Curzon
(d) Lord Dufferin
Ans: (a) Lord Ripon
Explanation: The individual who can be called the father of local self-government in India is option (a) Lord Ripon. Lord Ripon, also known as George Frederick Samuel Robinson, served as the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884. During his tenure, he introduced significant reforms related to local governance and administration. In 1882, Lord Ripon passed the Resolution on Local Self-Government, which aimed to grant greater autonomy and decision-making powers to local bodies such as municipalities and district boards. This resolution marked a significant step towards decentralization and empowering local communities in India. As a result, Lord Ripon is often credited as the father of local self-government in India.