Viceroys & Acts — Set 2

Correct Answer: A. Lord Curzon

• **Lord Curzon** partitioned Bengal in **1905** — cited administrative reasons. • Real motive: divide Bengali nationalists along Hindu–Muslim religious lines. • Triggered **Swadeshi and Boycott movements**; partition annulled in **1911** by Hardinge II. • 💡 Elgin II = famine 1896; Minto II = succeeded Curzon; Dufferin = INC founded, not partition.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Wavell

• **Lord Wavell** convened Shimla Conference **1945** to break political deadlock. • Proposed new Executive Council with more Indian representation — the **Wavell Plan**. • Failed because Jinnah insisted Muslim League alone nominate all Muslim members. • 💡 Linlithgow = August Offer 1940; Willingdon = Civil Disobedience; Mountbatten = partition 1947.

Correct Answer: C. Mountbatten Plan

• **Mountbatten Plan** (June 3 Plan, **1947**) formed basis for partition of India. • Accepted by both **Congress and Muslim League** — led to Indian Independence Act 1947. • Partition effective **August 15, 1947**; Mountbatten became first GG of independent India. • 💡 Wavell Plan = 1945 Shimla; Cripps Plan = 1942 Dominion Status offer; Cabinet Mission = united India plan.

Correct Answer: C. Lord Wellesley

• **Lord Wellesley** called himself 'Bengal Tiger' — aggressively expanded British territory. • Introduced **Subsidiary Alliance** (1798) — Nizam of Hyderabad was first to accept. • Established **Fort William College** (1800) to train civil servants in Indian languages. • 💡 Hastings = Third Maratha War; Cornwallis = Permanent Settlement; Warren Hastings = Dual System.

Correct Answer: A. Charter Act of 1813

• **Charter Act 1813** ended Company's monopoly over Indian trade (except tea and China trade). • Allowed **Christian missionaries** to preach in India for first time. • Allocated **₹1 lakh annually** for promotion of education in India. • 💡 Regulating 1773 = Company control; Charter 1793 = Ring Fence period; Charter 1833 = GG of India title.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Ripon

• **Lord Ripon** — 'Father of Local Self-Government'; Resolution of **1882** created local boards. • Empowered municipalities to manage local affairs with elected Indian members. • Also repealed Vernacular Press Act (1882) and passed First Factory Act (1881). • 💡 Mayo = financial decentralization 1870; Curzon = Police Commission; Lytton = Vernacular Press Act.

Correct Answer: D. Lord Chelmsford

• **Lord Chelmsford** was Viceroy during Jallianwala Bagh massacre — **April 13, 1919**. • Massacre occurred during protests against **Rowlatt Act 1919** in Amritsar. • Also associated with **Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (GoI Act 1919)** — introduced Dyarchy. • 💡 Reading = Chauri Chaura 1922; Hardinge II = capital shift 1911; Irwin = Simon Commission 1927.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Linlithgow

• **Lord Linlithgow** made the 'August Offer' **1940** — sought Indian cooperation in WWII. • Offered **Dominion Status** as eventual goal; vague on timeline. • Rejected by Congress — demanded complete independence, not Dominion Status. • 💡 Mountbatten = Partition 1947; Wavell = Shimla 1945; Willingdon = CDM relaunch 1932.

Correct Answer: C. Charter Act 1833

• **Charter Act 1833** elevated Governor-General of Bengal to **Governor-General of India**. • **Lord William Bentinck** became first Governor-General of India. • Act also abolished Company's commercial functions and provided for Law Commission (Macaulay). • 💡 Regulating 1773 = GG of Bengal; Charter 1813 = trade monopoly end; Charter 1853 = open civil services.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Hardinge II

• **Lord Hardinge II** — capital shifted Calcutta to Delhi at Delhi Durbar **1911**. • Same Durbar also **annulled Partition of Bengal** (1905), calming Swadeshi unrest. • Survived **bomb attack** during state entry procession into Delhi in December 1912. • 💡 Chelmsford = Dyarchy 1919; Minto II = Muslim League 1906; Curzon = partition Bengal, not annulment.