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Lytton, Lord (1876-1947) Governor of Bengal (1922-1927)
and for some time officiating Viceroy of India. Victor Alexander George
Robert, Second Earl of Lytton, was born at Simla, when his father, edward
robert bulwaer lytton, the first Earl of Lytton, was the Governor
General of India. The second Earl of Lytton studid in Eton and Trinity
College, Cambridge.
He was appointed the governor of Bengal at a very crucial time
when the colonial government was determined to implement the India
Act of 1919 and when the indian
national congress was determined to get this unacceptable
Act annulled. Throughout this period he faced resistance from
the Swarajya Party which always participated in the elections
and got elected with majority seats but consistently refused to
form a ministry. Their policy was to wreck the constitution of
1919 from within.
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Lord Lytton |
Due to their non-co-operation, Lord Lytton had to invite
members belonging to splinter parties and groups willing to form a ministry,
although it was ousted within six months by a motion of no confidence
moved by the Swarajya majority. A number of Council parties were formed
at his initiatives, but his 'divide and rule' policy could never weaken
Swarajya solidarity.
Lord Lytton is particularly remembered for his unpleasant
encounters with Sir asutosh
mookerjee, the vice chancellor of Calcutta University. Lord
Lytton tried to interfere in the working of Calcutta University, but Sir
Ashutosh warned him never to do so if he wanted to retain him as the vice
chancellor of the university. [Sirajul Islam]
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