Q. With reference to colonial rule in India, what was sought by the Ilbert Bill in 1883?
(a) To bring Indians and Europeans on par as far as the criminal jurisdiction of courts was concerned
(b) To impose severe restrictions on the freedom of the native press as it was perceived to be hostile to colonial rulers
(c) To encourage the native Indians to appear for civil service examinations by conducting them in India
(d) To allow native Indians to possess arms by amending the Arms Act.
Ans: (a) To bring Indians and Europeans on par as far as the criminal jurisdiction of courts was concerned
Explanation: The Ilbert Bill of 1883 was introduced by the then Law Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, Sir Courtenay Ilbert. The bill aimed to bring about equality in the criminal jurisdiction of courts between Indians and Europeans in British India.
During that time, there was a stark difference in the way criminal cases were handled based on the race of the accused. Europeans, including British officials, were subject to trial by European judges, while Indian defendants were subject to trial by Indian judges. This created a system of unequal treatment under the law.
The Ilbert Bill sought to rectify this inequality by allowing Indian judges to preside over cases involving Europeans, thus bringing Indians and Europeans on par in terms of the criminal jurisdiction of courts. The bill faced strong opposition from the European community in India, and although it was eventually watered down, it marked an important step in the movement towards equality before the law during the colonial rule in India.
Options (b), (c), and (d) do not accurately describe the objectives or provisions of the Ilbert Bill.