Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu) — Set 2
National Movement · महत्वपूर्ण अधिनियम · Questions 11–20 of 120
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 is important because it:
Correct Answer: C. Introduced the portfolio system and restored legislative councils to the Presidencies
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 introduced the portfolio system in the administration and restored legislative councils to the Presidency governments of Bombay and Madras. It also allowed for the nomination of some non-official Indians to the expanded legislative councils. The act is regarded as the beginning of representative institutions in India, though actual representation was minimal.
The Indian Councils Act of 1892 expanded the legislative councils and introduced:
Correct Answer: D. An element of election (though indirect) for some non-official members
The Indian Councils Act of 1892 expanded the legislative councils and introduced an indirect element of election for some non-official members, where bodies like universities, district boards, and trade associations could nominate members. This was a limited but significant step toward representative government in India. The act also allowed the councils to discuss the budget, though they could not vote on it.
The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is also known as the:
Correct Answer: A. Morley-Minto Reforms
The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, named after Secretary of State John Morley and Viceroy Lord Minto. The act significantly increased the size of legislative councils and introduced elections for some non-official seats. Its most controversial feature was the introduction of separate electorates for Muslims, which became a precedent for communal political identities.
The most controversial feature of the Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909) was:
Correct Answer: B. Introducing separate electorates for Muslims
The most controversial feature of the Morley-Minto Reforms was the introduction of separate electorates for Muslims, whereby Muslim voters would elect their own representatives to the legislative councils. Nationalists like B.G. Tilak condemned it as a deliberate attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims. This 'divide and rule' policy had long-term consequences for the partition of India in 1947.
Separate electorates introduced by the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 meant:
Correct Answer: C. Muslims could only vote for Muslim candidates in reserved constituencies
Separate electorates meant that Muslim voters could only vote for Muslim candidates in constituencies specifically reserved for Muslims. This created a political identity based on religion rather than shared civic concerns. Nationalists argued this was a British strategy to prevent Hindu-Muslim unity and weaken the independence movement.
The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was passed to extend wartime powers of arrest without trial into peacetime. It was based on recommendations of the:
Correct Answer: D. Rowlatt Committee (Sedition Committee)
The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was based on the recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee (officially called the Sedition Committee), chaired by Justice Sydney Rowlatt. The committee had been formed to examine wartime revolutionary activities and recommended extending emergency powers. The act allowed detention without trial and was unanimously opposed by Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council.
The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was officially known as the:
Correct Answer: A. Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act 1919
The Rowlatt Act was officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act 1919. It empowered the British government to arrest and detain individuals suspected of sedition without bail, legal representation, or trial. The act provoked unprecedented outrage across India and led Gandhi to call for a nationwide satyagraha.
What was the common Indian nickname for the Rowlatt Act?
Correct Answer: B. Black Act
The Rowlatt Act was commonly called the 'Black Act' by Indians because of its draconian provisions that denied basic civil liberties. Mohammad Ali Jinnah described it with the phrase meaning 'no appeal, no wakeel (lawyer), no daleel (argument).' The act united Indian political opinion across party lines in opposition to British repression.
The Government of India Act 1919 implemented the recommendations of which reform commission?
Correct Answer: C. Montagu-Chelmsford Commission
The Government of India Act 1919 implemented the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, based on recommendations by Secretary of State Edwin Montagu and Viceroy Lord Chelmsford. The act introduced a system of dyarchy in the provinces and expanded the legislative councils. It was significant as the first constitutional reform to explicitly acknowledge Indian aspirations for responsible government.
The system of 'dyarchy' introduced by the Government of India Act 1919 divided provincial administration into:
Correct Answer: D. Transferred subjects (controlled by ministers) and reserved subjects (under the Governor)
The dyarchy system divided provincial administration into transferred subjects, which were handed over to Indian ministers responsible to elected legislatures, and reserved subjects, which remained under the Governor and his executive council. Transferred subjects included education, agriculture, local government, and health. Reserved subjects included law and order, finance, and land revenue.