Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu) — Set 7
National Movement · महत्वपूर्ण अधिनियम · Questions 61–70 of 120
What was the Hunter Commission established in 1919 for?
Correct Answer: A. To investigate the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and events in Punjab
The Hunter Commission (Disorders Inquiry Committee) was established in 1919 to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and other disturbances in Punjab. The commission's majority report mildly censured General Dyer but did not recommend severe punishment. The minority report by Indian members condemned the massacre in stronger terms.
The Indian Councils Act 1861 introduced the principle of portfolio system. This meant:
Correct Answer: B. Each councillor was responsible for a specific department of government
The portfolio system introduced by the Indian Councils Act 1861 meant that each member of the Governor-General's council was assigned responsibility for a specific department of government, similar to the Cabinet system. This distributed administrative responsibilities among different council members. The system created a more organized form of executive administration than previously existed.
The Simon Commission was chaired by:
Correct Answer: C. John Simon
The Simon Commission was chaired by Sir John Simon, a British liberal politician and lawyer who later served as Foreign Secretary of Britain. The commission had seven British members of Parliament. The all-British composition of the commission, tasked with reviewing India's constitutional future, became the primary reason for its boycott by Indian political parties.
Which session of the Indian National Congress declared complete independence (Purna Swaraj) as its goal, partly in response to the failure of the Nehru Report and Simon Commission?
Correct Answer: D. Lahore 1929
The Lahore session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929, with Jawaharlal Nehru as President, declared Purna Swaraj (complete independence) as its goal. This was partly a response to the failure of the Nehru Report to achieve agreement and the humiliation of the all-British Simon Commission. January 26, 1930 was observed as Independence Day, and the Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in 1930.
The Montagu-Chelmsford report of 1918 proposed which major change in principle?
Correct Answer: A. That Indians should progressively be associated in every branch of administration on the path to responsible government
The Montagu-Chelmsford Report of 1918 proposed the progressive association of Indians in every branch of administration with a view to realizing responsible government in India as part of the British Empire. It proposed dyarchy as the immediate step and envisaged further devolution of power as Indians demonstrated fitness for self-governance. The report became the basis of the Government of India Act 1919.
The principle of 'responsible government' in constitutional history means:
Correct Answer: B. A government that is answerable to an elected legislature
Responsible government in constitutional history means a government that is answerable to, and can be removed by, an elected legislature. In the Indian context, it meant executive councils composed of ministers who were responsible to elected legislative assemblies. The gradual introduction of responsible government was the stated goal of British constitutional reforms from the Montagu Declaration of 1917 onward.
Lord Canning, who served as Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857, became India's first:
Correct Answer: C. Viceroy of India
Lord Canning became India's first Viceroy when the Government of India Act 1858 transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown. He had been serving as Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857. His post was re-designated as Viceroy and Governor-General, making him the personal representative of the British monarch in India.
The Charter Act of 1833 designated who as the first Governor-General of all India?
Correct Answer: D. Lord William Bentinck
The Charter Act of 1833 designated Lord William Bentinck as the first Governor-General of all India, with authority over all British Indian territories rather than just Bengal. Previously, the title had been Governor-General of Bengal. Bentinck is also remembered for social reforms like banning sati and suppressing thuggee.
The Indian Independence Act 1947 was introduced in the British Parliament following which plan?
Correct Answer: A. Mountbatten Plan (June 3 Plan)
The Indian Independence Act 1947 was introduced following the Mountbatten Plan (also known as the June 3 Plan, announced on June 3, 1947), which proposed the partition of British India into two dominions. Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, had devised this plan after extensive consultations with Congress and Muslim League leaders. The plan was accepted by Congress, the Muslim League, and the Sikhs.
The Rowlatt Act was unanimously opposed by Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council. This shows:
Correct Answer: B. That even moderate politicians who worked within British institutions opposed the draconian provisions
The unanimous opposition of Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council to the Rowlatt Act demonstrated that even moderate politicians who worked within British institutions found its provisions completely unacceptable. Jinnah's dramatic resignation from the council highlighted this principled opposition. The act unified Indian political opinion across all parties and ideologies against British repression.