Viceroys & Acts — Set 10
Indian History · वायसराय और अधिनियम · Questions 91–100 of 100
Who was the Viceroy during the Quit India Movement in 1942?
Correct Answer: D. Lord Linlithgow
• **Lord Linlithgow** was Viceroy during Quit India Movement — **August 8–9, 1942**. • Gandhi gave 'Do or Die' call at Gowalia Tank, Bombay — entire Congress leadership arrested. • Linlithgow's repressive measures caused widespread underground rebellion across India. • 💡 Mountbatten = last Viceroy, partition; Willingdon = CDM 1932; Wavell = succeeded Linlithgow.
Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
Correct Answer: B. Lord Mountbatten
• **Lord Mountbatten** — first Governor-General of independent India from **August 15, 1947**. • Requested by Nehru and Congress to stay during transition period. • Served until **June 1948**; succeeded by C. Rajagopalachari — only Indian GG. • 💡 Rajendra Prasad = first President (not GG); Nehru = first PM; C. Rajagopalachari = second GG, first Indian.
Who was the last Governor-General of India?
Correct Answer: A. C. Rajagopalachari
• **C. Rajagopalachari** — last Governor-General of India AND first Indian to hold the post. • Served **1948–1950**; post abolished when India became Republic on January 26, 1950. • Rajaji later founded **Swatantra Party (1959)** and opposed socialist policies of Nehru. • 💡 Dr. Rajendra Prasad = first President; Jawaharlal Nehru = first PM; Mountbatten = first GG of independent India.
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was passed during the tenure of which Viceroy?
Correct Answer: C. Lord Lytton
• **Vernacular Press Act 1878** (Lord Lytton) — controlled seditious Indian-language press. • Called **'Gagging Act'** — magistrates could confiscate printing presses without trial. • **Lord Ripon** repealed it in **1882** as part of liberal reform policy. • 💡 Ripon = repealed VPA; Curzon = Universities Act 1904; Mayo = financial decentralization.
The Ilbert Bill controversy of 1883 was related to:
Correct Answer: D. Right of Indian judges to try European offenders
• **Ilbert Bill 1883** — introduced by Law Member **C.P. Ilbert** under Viceroy Ripon. • Proposed Indian district judges could try **European offenders** — removing racial bar. • Europeans revolted; bill amended to allow **jury of Europeans** — original intent diluted. • 💡 Sati abolition = Bentinck 1829; press freedom = Metcalfe 1835; railways = Dalhousie — not Ilbert Bill.
Under which Act was the 'Dyarchy' system first introduced at the provincial level?
Correct Answer: D. Government of India Act 1919
• **GoI Act 1919** (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) introduced Dyarchy at **provincial level**. • **Reserved** = Governor (law, finance); **Transferred** = Indian ministers (education, health). • First time Indians had executive power in provinces — step toward responsible govt. • 💡 ICA 1909 = separate electorates; GoI 1935 = abolished provincial Dyarchy; Charter 1833 = GG of India.
Which Viceroy is associated with the partition of Bengal in 1905?
Correct Answer: A. Lord Curzon
• **Lord Curzon** partitioned Bengal **1905** — divided into Hindu-majority West and Muslim-majority East. • Real motive: break **Bengali nationalist unity** using communal lines. • Massive Swadeshi Movement forced annulment in **1911** by Viceroy Hardinge II. • 💡 Minto = succeeded Curzon; Chelmsford = Rowlatt Act; Hardinge = annulled partition, not creator.
The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was also known as:
Correct Answer: D. Black Act
• **Rowlatt Act 1919** — also called **'Black Act'** (Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act). • Allowed arrest and detention **without trial, without warrant** — no appeal allowed. • Gandhi launched **Rowlatt Satyagraha**; protests led to Jallianwala Bagh massacre. • 💡 Red Act = not a thing; Blue/White Paper = not the Rowlatt Act; only 'Black Act' is correct.
The Simon Commission visited India in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 1928
• **Simon Commission** arrived India on **February 3, 1928** — 7-member all-British commission. • Appointed to review GoI Act 1919; boycotted as **no Indian member** included. • 'Simon Go Back' slogan; Lala Lajpat Rai died from police lathicharge at protests. • 💡 1932 = CDM relaunch; 1930 = Salt March/CDM launch; 1925 = Kakori — Simon arrived 1928.
Who was the Viceroy when the Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in 1919?
Correct Answer: C. Lord Chelmsford
• **Lord Chelmsford** was Viceroy during Jallianwala Bagh massacre — **April 13, 1919**, Amritsar. • General **Reginald Dyer** ordered firing — **379 killed officially** (thousands wounded). • **Hunter Committee** set up to probe; gave whitewashed report — Dyer only censured. • 💡 Reading = followed Chelmsford; Hardinge = preceded; Irwin = Simon Commission era.