Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu) — Set 8
National Movement · महत्वपूर्ण अधिनियम · Questions 71–80 of 120
The Pitt's India Act 1784 created a Board of Control. This board had how many members?
Correct Answer: C. 6 members
The Board of Control created by Pitt's India Act 1784 had six members including two Secretaries of State and four Privy Councillors. The President of the Board of Control was effectively the minister responsible for Indian affairs in the British Cabinet. This board had supervisory authority over the political and military affairs of the Company in India.
Under the Morley-Minto Reforms, which body was given the power to elect Muslim representatives through separate electorates?
Correct Answer: D. Muslim voters exclusively in Muslim constituencies
Under the Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909), Muslim voters were allowed to elect their own representatives exclusively in constituencies reserved for Muslims through separate electorates. This meant Muslim political representation was channeled through a religion-based electoral system rather than a civic-geographic one. This system of communal representation was widely criticized by nationalists as divisive.
What was the 'Communal Award' of 1932 and how did it relate to the Government of India Act 1935?
Correct Answer: A. It extended separate electorates to other minorities (Sikhs, Christians, Depressed Classes) as announced by British PM Ramsay MacDonald, later modified by Poona Pact
The Communal Award of 1932, announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, extended the principle of separate electorates to Sikhs, Christians, Europeans, Anglo-Indians, and the Depressed Classes in addition to Muslims. Gandhi went on a fast unto death against separate electorates for the Depressed Classes, leading to the Poona Pact which replaced them with reserved seats. Many Communal Award provisions were incorporated into the Government of India Act 1935.
The Nehru Report of 1928 was rejected by the Muslim League primarily because:
Correct Answer: B. It recommended joint electorates and did not guarantee one-third Muslim representation in the central legislature
The Nehru Report was rejected by much of the Muslim League because it recommended joint electorates instead of separate electorates and did not guarantee Muslims one-third representation in the Central Legislature. Mohammad Ali Jinnah had proposed the 'Delhi Proposals' amendments to make the report acceptable, but the All Parties Conference rejected these amendments. This failure contributed to growing Hindu-Muslim political differences.
Under the Regulating Act 1773, how was the Supreme Court at Calcutta created?
Correct Answer: C. By a Royal Charter granted by the British Crown
The Supreme Court at Fort William, Calcutta, was established by the Regulating Act 1773 through a Royal Charter granted by the British Crown. The court had four judges including the Chief Justice. It represented the introduction of formal British judicial authority in India with jurisdiction over all British subjects in the Calcutta Presidency.
The Governor-General's position was elevated from 'Governor-General of Bengal' to 'Governor-General of India' by which act?
Correct Answer: D. Charter Act 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 elevated the position of Governor-General of Bengal to Governor-General of India, giving him authority over all British India rather than just Bengal. The first holder of this title was Lord William Bentinck. This change recognized the administrative reality that British power had extended far beyond Bengal by the 1830s.
The Indian Councils Act of 1892 is also significant for allowing which type of questions in legislative councils?
Correct Answer: A. Questions to the executive (interpellations) on matters of public interest
The Indian Councils Act of 1892 allowed non-official members of legislative councils to ask questions to the executive, known as interpellations, on matters of public interest. This was a significant constitutional development that gave the legislature some oversight role over the executive. The right to ask questions became an important tool for nationalist politicians to criticize government policies.
The Government of India Act 1919 introduced which element for the first time at the central level?
Correct Answer: B. A bicameral central legislature with a majority of elected members
The Government of India Act 1919 introduced for the first time at the central level a bicameral legislature (the Council of State and the Central Legislative Assembly) with a majority of elected members in the lower house. This was a fundamental change from the earlier council which had a majority of official members. The elected members, however, still could not control the government or the budget.
The Congress description of the Government of India Act 1935 as a 'charter of slavery' referred to:
Correct Answer: C. The act's extensive safeguards, reserved powers, and the Viceroy's overriding authority that limited Indian autonomy
Congress described the Government of India Act 1935 as a 'charter of slavery' because despite granting provincial autonomy, it contained extensive safeguards, reserved powers for Governors and the Viceroy, and overriding authority that could suspend responsible government at any time. The federal provisions gave Princely States a disproportionate role. Indian leaders felt the act maintained British supremacy while offering a facade of self-government.
When was the partition of India formalized through a British Act of Parliament?
Correct Answer: D. July 18, 1947
The partition of India was formalized through the Indian Independence Act 1947, which received Royal Assent on July 18, 1947. The act created the two independent Dominions of India and Pakistan. The actual transfer of power and independence of India and Pakistan took place on August 14-15, 1947.