Administrative Changes after 1857: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)

Explanation

The Government of India Act, 1935 divided powers between the Centre and provinces into three lists: Federal (59 items), Provincial (54 items), and Concurrent (36 items). It abolished dyarchy in provinces, replacing it with provincial autonomy, while retaining it at the Centre. The Act introduced bicameralism in six provinces and extended communal representation to Scheduled Castes, women, and labor. It also abolished the Council of India created by GoI Act 1858.

Explanation

Sir William Wedderburn was President of INC in Bombay, 1889 and Allahabad, 1910 sessions. Together with Dadabhai Naoroji and other supporters of India, Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine established the "Indian Parliamentary Committee" in 1893. The Indian Parliamentary Committee’s mission is to lobby the House of Commons for political reforms in India. In 1895, Wedderburn represented India on the Welby Commission (i.e. Royal Commission) on Indian Expenditure.

Explanation

The British introduced modern communication systems in colonial India to enhance administrative efficiency and control. They developed an extensive railway network, postal system, and telegraph lines to facilitate military movement, trade, and governance. These innovations unified diverse regions, boosted economic integration, and significantly influenced India’s modernization, despite serving colonial interests. Majority of developments happened under the rule of Governor General Dalhousie.

Statement 1 is correct: The first telegraph line in India was laid between Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and Diamond Harbour in 1850. It became operational in 1851.

Statement 2 is correct: The first Export Processing Zone in India was set up in Kandla, Gujarat, in 1965. It was established to promote exports and boost foreign trade.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Charter Act of 1853 did not abolish the East India Company’s monopoly of Indian trade. The company’s monopoly on trade with India was abolished earlier by the Charter Act of 1813, and the monopoly on trade with China ended with the Charter Act of 1833. The Charter Act of 1853 primarily focused on restructuring the administration of India and introduced a merit-based civil service.

Statement 2 is correct: Government of India Act, 1858 abolished the rule of the East India Company after the revolt of 1857 and transferred the administration of India directly to the British Crown. It marked the beginning of the British Raj.

Explanation

The Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence, marked a major uprising against British rule in India. Triggered by political, economic, and social grievances, it united soldiers, peasants, and rulers.

Option (d) is correct: Tantia Tope, originally named Ramchandra Panduranga, was a prominent leader of the 1857 Revolt from Kanpur, alongside Nana Sahib and Azimullah Khan. Betrayed by Mansingh, Raja of Narwar, loyal to the Scindia of Gwalior who opposed the revolt, Tantia Tope was captured and hanged on April 18, 1859.

Explanation

Kunwar Singh, a prominent leader of the Revolt of 1857, belonged to Jagdispur, located in present-day Bihar. He was a key figure in the rebellion and is remembered for his bravery and leadership despite being in his 80s at the time of the revolt. Other prominent leaders:

Leader of 1857 Revolt Location Mangal Pandey Barrackpore Bahadur Shah Zafar Delhi General Bakht Khan Delhi Tantia tope Kanpur Azimullah Kanpur Begum Hazrat Mahal Lucknow Maulvi Ahmadullah Faizabad

Explanation

Chittor (located in present-day Rajasthan) was not strongly affected by the Revolt of 1857. The revolt had a strong impact on regions like Jhansi, Jagdishpur, and Lucknow, where prominent leaders such as Rani Lakshmibai, Kunwar Singh, and Begum Hazrat Mahal played significant roles in the rebellion. However, Chittor remained largely untouched by the uprising. Major Centers affected by Revolt of 1857:

Explanation

The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883 by Sir Courtenay Ilbert, the then Law Member of the Viceroy’s Council, to amend the criminal procedure code in British India. The bill sought to allow Indian judges, including the district magistrates, to try British offenders in criminal cases. At the time, only British judges had the authority to try European offenders. The proposal faced strong opposition from the European community in India, leading to protests. The British government eventually modified the bill, allowing Indian judges to try Europeans only if they consented. The controversy highlighted racial discrimination in colonial India.

Explanation

Pre-Congress associations like Madras Association, Indian Association were, active before the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885, laid the groundwork for India’s political awakening. These associations united educated Indians to demand reforms and fostered early nationalist sentiment.

Option (d) is correct: The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, established in 1867 in Pune, aimed to promote education, social welfare, and political reforms in India. In 1875, it submitted a petition to the House of Commons, demanding direct representation for India in the British Parliament. The petition argued that India, as part of the British Empire, deserved a voice in the legislative process to address Indian concerns and prevent policies harmful to its progress.

Explanation

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his Executive Council by replacing corporate functioning with a portfolio system. In the portfolio system individual members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council were assigned specific departments to manage, replacing the previous collective decision-making process. This shift strengthened the Viceroy’s authority, enabling more efficient governance. Before the Act, the Council functioned collectively but after it, the Viceroy had greater centralized control with Council members responsible for key areas like finance, law, and home affairs. This reorganization reinforced British control over colonial governance.