Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu) — Set 12
National Movement · महत्वपूर्ण अधिनियम · Questions 111–120 of 120
The Charter Act 1833 made which landmark provision regarding Indian law?
Correct Answer: C. It directed the codification of Indian law and creation of an all-India Law Commission
The Charter Act 1833 directed the codification of all Indian laws and established an all-India Law Commission for this purpose. The first Law Commission was chaired by Thomas Babington Macaulay and produced the Indian Penal Code (1860), Code of Criminal Procedure, and other codes. This was a major step toward a unified legal system for all of British India.
The Indian Independence Act 1947 gave Governor-General the power to:
Correct Answer: D. Adapt existing laws to meet the requirements of the new Dominions including the Government of India Act 1935
The Indian Independence Act 1947 gave the Governor-General power to adapt existing laws, including the Government of India Act 1935, to meet the requirements of the new Dominion governments. This was necessary because the new states needed a legal framework immediately upon independence. The adapted Government of India Act 1935 served as the provisional constitution of India until January 26, 1950.
The establishment of separate electorates by the Morley-Minto Reforms 1909 was justified by the British government as:
Correct Answer: A. Protection for Muslim interests as a minority community in the legislative councils
The British government justified separate electorates as necessary protection for Muslim interests as a minority community that might be overwhelmed by Hindu majority voting in joint electorates. The Muslim League had presented a memorandum to Lord Minto at Simla in 1906 demanding this protection. Nationalist critics argued this was a deliberate divide-and-rule policy to prevent Hindu-Muslim political unity.
The Government of India Act 1858 abolished the Court of Directors of the East India Company. This court had previously:
Correct Answer: B. Managed the commercial and administrative affairs of the Company
The Court of Directors had previously managed the commercial and administrative affairs of the East India Company, including appointing officials, setting policies, and overseeing trade. Under Pitt's India Act 1784, the Court of Directors had shared power with the Board of Control. The Government of India Act 1858 abolished both the Court of Directors and the Board of Control when Company rule ended.
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 largely with support from which British official who hoped it would provide a 'safety valve' for political discontent?
Correct Answer: C. A.O. Hume (Allan Octavian Hume)
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 largely with the involvement of A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, who hoped it would provide a 'safety valve' for the expression of political discontent before it became revolutionary. The first session was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee. The Congress gradually evolved from a body of petitioners into the primary vehicle of the independence movement.
Which constitutional act first recognized that India would eventually achieve responsible self-government within the British Empire?
Correct Answer: D. Government of India Act 1919
The Government of India Act 1919 and the Montagu Declaration of 1917 that preceded it were the first formal constitutional recognition that India would eventually achieve responsible self-government within the British Empire. This was the first time Britain officially acknowledged self-government as a constitutional objective for India. All subsequent acts until 1947 built on this principle.
The Pitt's India Act 1784 is considered a landmark because it is the first time:
Correct Answer: A. The British Parliament directly assumed responsibility for political governance of India through the Board of Control
Pitt's India Act 1784 was a landmark because it was the first time the British Parliament directly assumed responsibility for the political governance of India through the Board of Control, moving beyond purely commercial oversight. This established the precedent that the British state, not just the Company, was responsible for Indian governance. It ultimately led to the full Crown takeover in 1858.
The Communal Award of 1932 was modified by the Poona Pact of 1932 regarding which community?
Correct Answer: B. Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes)
The Poona Pact of 1932 modified the Communal Award's provision for separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes). Gandhi had opposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes and went on a fast unto death. The Poona Pact between Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar replaced separate electorates with reserved seats within general constituencies for the Depressed Classes.
The Government of India Act 1935 provided for an unprecedented expansion of the electorate in India. The number of voters expanded to approximately:
Correct Answer: C. 30 million
The Government of India Act 1935 expanded the electorate to approximately 30 million voters, up from about 5 million under the 1919 Act. This was based on property, tax, and educational qualifications. The expansion was significant for the 1937 elections in which Congress won majorities in seven provinces and demonstrated its mass support.
Which constitutional act served as the de facto provisional constitution of India from August 15, 1947 until January 26, 1950?
Correct Answer: D. Government of India Act 1935 as adapted by the Governor-General
The Government of India Act 1935, as adapted by the Governor-General under the Indian Independence Act 1947, served as the de facto provisional constitution of India from independence on August 15, 1947 until the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The adapted 1935 Act provided the legal and administrative framework for the new Dominion of India. Many of its provisions were carried forward into the permanent Constitution of India.