Who is considered the father of local self-government in India?

Who is considered the father of local self-government in India?
A: Warren Hastings
B: Lord Ripon
C: Lord Dalhousie
D: Lord Cornwallis

Lord Ripon; as Viceroy of India; introduced local self-government reforms in 1882; empowering municipalities and rural boards. This fact is often tested in exams on colonial administration.