In 1873, before the introduction of the Ilbert Bill, the British government made a trial with the Indian magistrates by involving them in the death or transportation cases, which were tried by high courts. In 1883, the Ilbert bill was introduced by Sir Courtenay Pergine Ilbert, who drafted the bill during the tenure of Viceroy Ripon. In Indian history, the introduction of the Ilbert bill created many controversies among the Indians and British. This Ilbert bill allowed the Indian judges to handle the trials of British and Europeans. 

• The Indian judges were experienced enough for handling the civil service to preside over the cases. This created great anger among the European community. This article provides detailed information about the Ilbert bill, with controversies and resolutions of the bill. 

Ilbert Bill 1883 

• Ilbert Bill 1883 was mainly proposed to allow senior Indian magistrates for the trials of Europeans in India. This bill was weakened and compromised by many Britishers. It was enacted by the Legislative Council on 25^th January 1884. The deepened opposition created bitter controversy between the Britishers and Indians. It created a stimulus for the formation of the Indian National Congress. Meanwhile, the proposal of the Ilbert bill became an initiative for violent protest among the Calcutta European business community and the Bengal indigo planters. This protest created huge sympathy among many officials. The British government announced that about half of the European jury should act on the British subjective cases. This announcement created a new political dilemma among the westernized Indian middle-class people. 

The Ilbert Bill Controversy 

• The Ilbert bill created the possibility that trials of Europeans can be headed by Indian judges. So, Europeans felt the proposal of this bill made them inferior. Also, this bill created anger and resentment among the Europeans. The introduction of this bill also created violent protests among the Calcutta European business community that comprised tea and indigo plantations. These violent protests attracted the sympathy of many officials. Due to this controversy, huge racial discrimination occurred among the Indian and British judges and racial prejudices were widespread at the time. 
• Some of the English females also extended their support to the Indian judges, as they got trust from Indian judges to deal with such cases. So, these acts received considerable support against the bill. English women who opposed the bill created arguments among the Bengali women and said that they were ignorant and neglected by their men. They mentioned that Indians do not have the right to judge cases involving English women. 
• Bengali women stood against the claim to support the bill by mentioning that they were more educated than the English women, who opposed the bill. Meanwhile, they pointed out the Indian women with the highest academic degrees. It is important to mention that, in 1878, the University of Calcutta became the first university in India to admit female graduates in its post-graduation programs. Later, British universities also followed the same. 

Resolution Against Conflicts of Ilbert Bill

• Most of the British population and especially women opposed the Ilbert Bill. They stood together against the act of Viceroy Ripon and had forced to pass an amendment to have at least 50% of Europeans among the Indian panel of judges for the trials of the Europeans. 
• Finally, the Britishers came to a compromise, wherein the government has announced that the European jurisdiction would be conferred on the European and Indian District Magistrates and Session courts. Meanwhile, they also announced that they have the right to claim at least half of the panel members be European. On 25^th January 1884, a British government bill was passed and it came to force on 01^st May 1884. 
• The resolution among British people created huge controversy and deep opposition among the British and Indians. This action of the British was spread over the various part of India and set a new stage for the Indian freedom struggle. Within the next two years, many great leaders from all over India gathered together and established the Indian National Congress.