Indian National Movement III (1930-1947): UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)

Explanation

Government of India Act, 1935, which introduced significant constitutional reforms. All the three given statements are correct: The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for:

Provincial autonomy, granting greater powers to provincial legislatures. The establishment of a Federal Court to resolve disputes between the central and provincial governments. The creation of an All-India Federation at the center, though it was never fully implemented. The expansion of the electorate, allowing more Indians to vote. The introduction of a bicameral legislature at the center, consisting of the Council of States and the Federal Assembly.

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct:

Act Provided for abolition of diarchy in the Governor’s provinces, transferring more power to the provincial governments. The Act granted the Governors the power to veto legislative action and allowed them to enact laws without the consent of the legislative bodies in certain circumstances.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Government of India Act, 1935 retained separate electorates based on communal representation, allowing distinct voting rights for communities like Muslims, Sikhs, and other minorities.

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly of India was a group formed to write the Indian Constitution. It was set up in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Option (a) is correct: The Constituent Assembly of India was elected by the Provincial Assemblies in the year 1946. Members were chosen by the Provincial Assemblies, with seats given to represent different communities. However, it is important to note that the Princely States were represented through nominees rather than elected members. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

M.A. Jinnah was not a member of the Constituent Assembly as he chose to focus on the creation of Pakistan. Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel were members. The first session of the Constituent Assembly took place on 9th December 1946, not in January 1947. The Constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949, but came into effect on 26th January 1950.

Explanation

The Interim Cabinet was formed in September 1946 as part of the transition to India’s independence. It was established under the Cabinet Mission Plan and acted as the provisional government of India. It included leaders from the Indian National Congress and later some members from the Muslim League.

Option (b) is correct: Jawaharlal Nehru was the head of the Interim Cabinet, which was formed in September 1946. He held the position of Vice President of the Executive Council (equivalent to Prime Minister). Other Interim Cabinet Members Important Positions C.H. Baba Works, Mine and Power. John Mathai Industries and Supplies. Asaf Ali Railways and Transport. Baldev Singh Defence. Jagjivan Ram Labour. Liaquat Ali Khan Finance (Muslim League). I.I. Chundrigar Commerce (Muslim League).

Explanation

The Bardoli Satyagraha was a significant peasant movement in Bardoli, Gujarat in 1928, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It was sparked by the British government’s decision to increase land revenue by 22%, which severely affected the farmers. He organized the farmers to refuse to pay the increased taxes, leading to a successful non-violent protest that resulted in the reversal of the tax hike. His leadership earned him the title "Sardar" (leader) from the women of Bardoli for his success in forcing the British to roll back the revenue hike.

Explanation

The Cripps Mission was sent to India in March 1942 by the British government to secure Indian support for the British war effort during World War II. The mission, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, aimed to offer India greater autonomy in return for cooperation. The Cripps Mission proposed the creation of an Indian Union with Dominion status after the war, which would grant India a degree of self-governance but still leave it under British sovereignty. The Cripps Mission was a failure because it did not meet the expectations of Indian political leaders and both Indian National Congress and Muslim League rejected the proposals.

Explanation

Ever since the 1857 revolt, to secure princely states as a safeguard against potential political instability and to reward their loyalty the policy of annexation was discontinued. The Government of India Act of 1935 proposed a federal union (that never came to existence) that included both British India and the princely states, which were ruled by Indian monarchs but under British control. The 1935 Act did not aim for direct political control over the princely states. It allowed them autonomy while including them in the federal structure. The British sought to manage relations, not control them completely. The real intention behind including princely states into the proposed federal union, through Government of India Act, 1935, was to ensure that these states would act as a balance against the anti-imperialist nationalist movement.

Explanation

Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani ascended to a prominent position within the Congress Party. He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in November 1946 and steered the organisation through the critical days of the transfer of power and the partition of India in 1947.

Explanation

In the early 1930s, the Indian National Congress (INC) led India’s nationalist movement, while the labour movement grew with workers protesting for better conditions. Despite this, the labour movement had limited involvement in the broader nationalist struggle. They felt the Congress was not adequately addressing the issues important to workers, like social and economic reforms. Assertion (A) is true: The labour movement in the early 1930s was growing, but its participation in the larger Indian nationalist movement was weak. Workers were more focused on their immediate economic struggles, like better wages and working conditions, rather than the broader nationalist cause. Reason (R) is true: Some labour leaders criticised the Indian National Congress (INC) for representing the interests of the middle class and the bourgeoisie rather than the working class. Due to this the effect of labour participation in nationalist upsurge was weak. Thus, Reason (R) explains Assertion (A).

Explanation

The Cabinet Mission reached Delhi on March 24, 1946. The Mission engaged in extensive discussions with Indian leaders from all parties and groups on the following issues: the formation of an interim government, and the principles and processes for drafting a new constitution that would grant India independence. The Cabinet Mission (1946) proposed a federal union for India, with autonomy for provinces and safeguards for minorities. The Cabinet Mission Plan was initially accepted in principle by both the Congress and the Muslim League but disagreements soon emerged, particularly over the grouping of provinces. The Muslim League eventually rejected the plan, and Jinnah called for "Direct Action." This failure to agree on the plan is widely regarded as the last major chance to prevent the partition of India.