The first factory Act restricting the working hours of women and children, and authorizing local governments to make necessary rules was adopted during whose time?

The correct answer is Lord Ripon because the first Indian Factory Act was passed in 1881 during his tenure. This act was primarily aimed at improving the working conditions of laborers, specifically children. It prohibited the employment of children under the age of seven, limited the working hours for children between seven and twelve years of age to nine hours a day, and mandated four holidays a month. It also empowered local governments to appoint inspectors and create rules to enforce these regulations. Lord Ripon is known for his liberal reforms, and this act was a significant step toward labor welfare in colonial India.