Name the Commission sent by the British government to India in 1928 to examine and reform the constitutional system of British India.

Introduction / Context:
In the late 1920s, the British government decided to review the working of the Government of India Act 1919 and to consider further constitutional reforms. For this purpose, it appointed a commission under Sir John Simon to tour India and make recommendations. The arrival of this commission became a turning point in the freedom struggle because of the strong nationalist protest against it.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to a Commission that came to India in 1928.
• Its task was to reform or examine the constitutional system of British India.
• The options include the Rowlatt Committee, Pitt's India Act Commission, Partition of Bengal Commission, Simon Commission and the Cripps Mission.
• We must identify which of these is historically linked to the year 1928 and constitutional review.

Concept / Approach:
The Simon Commission, officially the Indian Statutory Commission, was appointed in 1927 and came to India in 1928. It consisted entirely of British members, with no Indian representatives, which led to widespread protests and the slogan 'Simon, go back'. Its purpose was to study the functioning of the constitutional system and suggest reforms. The Rowlatt Committee related to wartime security laws in 1919, while the Cripps Mission came in 1942 with proposals during the Second World War. Pitt's India Act and the Partition of Bengal belong to earlier periods and are not commissions of the 1928 type.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Modern Indian history texts invariably mention that the Simon Commission's arrival in 1928 triggered large demonstrations, including the protest in Lahore where Lala Lajpat Rai was injured and later died. They also link the Simon Commission episode with subsequent Indian initiatives like the Nehru Report. No other body in the options fits this date and constitutional role, confirming that the Commission referred to is the Simon Commission.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Rowlatt Committee: Led to the Rowlatt Act in 1919, concerned with security and sedition laws, not with broad constitutional reform in 1928.
• Pitt's India Act Commission: Pitt's India Act was passed in 1784, long before the period of constitutional commissions in the twentieth century.
• Partition of Bengal Commission: The partition was carried out in 1905; there is no famous 1928 commission by this name.
• Cripps Mission: Came to India in 1942 during the Second World War with proposals for dominion status, not in 1928.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the Simon Commission with the Cripps Mission because both involved British delegations discussing constitutional issues. Another common mistake is to mix up the dates of key events. A simple memory aid is: Simon Commission – 1928; Round Table Conferences – early 1930s; Cripps Mission – 1942; Cabinet Mission – 1946.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Simon Commission.