With reference to colonial rule in India, what was sought by the Ilbert Bill in 1883?

The Ilbert Bill (1883) sought to remove racial disqualification in the judiciary by allowing Indian magistrates and session judges to try European (British) defendants in criminal cases, thereby placing Indian and European judges on an equal footing with respect to criminal jurisdiction [2]. It was part of Lord Ripon’s reformist initiative to grant Indian members of the covenanted civil service the same magisterial powers as their European colleagues; this provoked strong opposition from the European community in India and became a major political controversy [3]. Therefore the Bill’s primary aim corresponds exactly to option (1).

Sources

1. [1] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 12: Growth of New India—The Nationalist Movement 1858—1905 > Immediate Factors > p. 204
2. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 10: Beginning of Modern Nationalism in India > Reactionary Policies and Racial Arrogance of Rulers > p. 243
3. [3] https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/19933/3/Unit-9.pdf