Tamil Nadu Timeline

Social ReformNational and Dravidian movements

Madras grants voting rights to women

· Chennai

The Madras Legislative Council resolved to extend the franchise to women, among the first provinces in British India to do so.

In 1921 the Madras Legislative Council passed a resolution removing the sex disqualification for voting, allowing women who met the property qualifications to vote. Madras was among the first provinces of British India to enfranchise women. The change followed campaigning by women's organisations such as the Women's Indian Association. It opened the way for women to enter the legislature later in the decade.

Related events

  1. 1919

    1. 23 Dec 1919ChennaiLegislation

      Government of India Act 1919 introduces dyarchy

      Based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, the Act introduced dyarchy in the provinces, including Madras, transferring some subjects to elected ministers.

  2. 1920

    1. Nov 1920ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party wins first Madras Legislative Council election

      The Justice Party won the first election held under the Montagu-Chelmsford dyarchy reforms in the Madras Presidency.

    2. 17 Dec 1920 to 11 Jul 1921ChennaiGovernance

      A. Subbarayalu Reddiar becomes first Premier of Madras

      A. Subbarayalu Reddiar of the Justice Party took office as the first Chief Minister (Premier) of the Madras Presidency.

  3. 1923

    1. 1923ChennaiPolitics

      Justice Party wins second council election

      The Justice Party retained power in the 1923 Madras Legislative Council election despite internal dissent.

  4. 1926

    1. 1926ChennaiSocial Reform

      Muthulakshmi Reddy becomes first woman legislator in India

      Doctor and reformer Muthulakshmi Reddy was nominated to the Madras Legislative Council, becoming the first woman legislator in British India.

    2. 4 Dec 1926 to 27 Oct 1930ChennaiPolitics

      P. Subbarayan forms independent ministry

      After the Swaraj Party won the 1926 election but declined office, P. Subbarayan formed a ministry of independents with nominated support.

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