​​Who was the first Indian who entered as a law member into the Viceroy's Executive Council?

Correct option is D

The correct option is S.P. Sinha.

The Viceroy's Executive Council was the cabinet of the government of British India, advising the Viceroy on all matters of policy and administration. Before 1909, it was composed exclusively of British officials. The inclusion of an Indian member for the first time was a result of the Indian Councils Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms. This act marked a small but significant step towards Indian representation at the highest level of executive administration during the British Raj.

Information Booster

Satyendra Prasanna Sinha (1863–1928), later known as Lord Sinha, was a prominent Indian lawyer and statesman.

• In 1909, he was appointed as the first Indian member of the Viceroy's Executive Council. He was given the portfolio of Law Member, a position that had previously been held only by British officials.
• This appointment was a landmark event, symbolizing the beginning of Indian involvement in high-level British administration. It was a gesture aimed at appeasing the demands of moderate Indian nationalists for greater participation in governance.

Other achievements:

• First Indian Advocate-General of Bengal.
• President of the Indian National Congress in 1915.
• First Indian to become a member of the British ministry, serving as the Under-Secretary of State for India in 1919.
• First Governor of Bihar and Orissa in 1920.
  

Additional Knowledge

D.B. Naoroji (Dadabhai Naoroji):
Known as the "Grand Old Man of India," Dadabhai Naoroji was a key figure in the Indian independence movement and a staunch critic of British economic policy.
He was an active member of the Indian National Congress and served as its president three times.
He was the first Indian to be elected as a Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons, but he did not serve on the Viceroy's Executive Council.

R.C. Dutta (Romesh Chunder Dutt):
A civil servant, economic historian, and writer, R.C. Dutta is known for his work on the economic exploitation of India by the British.
He was a key proponent of the "drain of wealth" theory and analyzed the devastating effects of British land revenue policies.
While he was a prominent intellectual and a member of the Indian Civil Service, he was not the first Indian appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council.

G.K. Gokhale (Gopal Krishna Gokhale):
A moderate leader of the Indian National Congress, Gokhale is known for his role in political reform and social change.
He was a key figure in advocating for greater Indian representation and reforms.
Gokhale was influential in shaping the Morley-Minto Reforms, but it was S.P. Sinha who was appointed to the council under the new provisions.