Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu) — Set 9
National Movement · महत्वपूर्ण अधिनियम · Questions 81–90 of 120
The Charter Act of 1813 allocated how much money annually for the promotion of education in India?
Correct Answer: A. Rs 1,00,000 (one lakh)
The Charter Act of 1813 allocated one lakh rupees (Rs. 1,00,000) annually for the promotion of education in India. This was a small but symbolic allocation that acknowledged British responsibility for Indian education. The act also allowed Christian missionaries to enter India, opening the door for Western-style education institutions.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms extended the franchise to vote in provincial elections to what proportion of the population?
Correct Answer: B. Approximately 5% of the population based on property and tax qualifications
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms extended the franchise to approximately 5% of the population based on property, tax, and educational qualifications. This was a significant but still very limited extension of electoral participation. The franchise was not extended to the vast majority of Indians including most women, poor, and illiterate Indians.
Under which act were provincial ministries responsible to elected legislatures first established?
Correct Answer: C. Government of India Act 1935
The Government of India Act 1935 was the first act under which provincial ministries were fully responsible to elected legislatures through the system of provincial autonomy. The Government of India Act 1919 had introduced dyarchy but the transferred departments were only partly responsible to elected legislatures. Full provincial responsible government came only with the 1935 Act.
The period from 1937 to 1939 when Congress formed provincial governments is significant because:
Correct Answer: D. It was the first time Indians experienced responsible government, demonstrating Congress's administrative capability
The period 1937-39 when Congress formed governments in seven provinces was significant as the first real experience of responsible government for Indians under the Government of India Act 1935. Congress demonstrated administrative capability in managing provincial governments. Congress ministries resigned in October 1939 when Viceroy Linlithgow declared India at war without consulting Indian leaders.
The Government of India Act 1858 guaranteed equal treatment for all Indian subjects through which document?
Correct Answer: A. Queen Victoria's Proclamation of November 1858
Queen Victoria's Proclamation of November 1858 guaranteed equal treatment for all Indian subjects regardless of race, caste, or creed, promising that Indians would be eligible for the same offices as other British subjects. The proclamation also declared that Britain would respect the rights of Indian princes and would not interfere in religious matters. Though many promises were not fully kept, the proclamation set an important formal standard.
Which feature of the Indian Councils Act 1892 was considered an indirect form of election?
Correct Answer: B. Nomination by bodies such as universities, municipalities, and chambers of commerce
The Indian Councils Act 1892 introduced a form of indirect election through the nomination of non-official members based on recommendations from bodies such as universities, district boards, municipalities, and chambers of commerce. While not a direct election, this gave these representative bodies some influence in selecting council members. Nationalists considered this a very limited and inadequate step toward representative government.
What constitutional safeguard did the Government of India Act 1935 give to Governors of provinces?
Correct Answer: C. Special responsibilities and emergency powers to act independently of their ministers
The Government of India Act 1935 gave Governors of provinces special responsibilities and emergency powers that allowed them to act independently of their ministers in matters concerning the prevention of grave menace to peace and tranquility, British India's financial obligations, and protection of minorities. These safeguards were a key part of what Congress criticized as undermining real autonomy. Governors could dismiss ministries and govern directly in emergencies.
Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India. He became India's first Governor-General after independence under which capacity?
Correct Answer: D. As a constitutional head appointed by the Indian government at the invitation of the Dominion of India
Lord Mountbatten became India's first Governor-General after independence at the invitation of the new Indian government as a constitutional head representing the British Crown in the Dominion of India. He held this position from August 15, 1947 to June 21, 1948. C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) succeeded him as the second and last Governor-General of independent India.
The Indian Councils Act 1861 allowed the Viceroy to restore legislative councils to which Presidencies?
Correct Answer: A. Bombay and Madras Presidencies
The Indian Councils Act 1861 restored the legislative councils to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies, which had been abolished earlier. It also provided for the creation of new legislative councils in other areas. The act was seen as a moderate response to the Revolt of 1857 and an attempt to associate Indians more in legislative matters.
The Government of India Act 1935 provided for a federal court (later the Supreme Court of India). This court was meant to:
Correct Answer: B. Adjudicate disputes between provinces and the centre and interpret the constitution
The Federal Court established under the Government of India Act 1935 was meant to adjudicate disputes between provinces and the federal government, and to interpret the federal constitution. The court was established in 1937 and functioned until it was replaced by the Supreme Court of India in 1950 under the new Constitution. It set the precedent for judicial review of constitutional matters in India.