This video covers 150 most important multiple-choice questions on the Government of India Acts of 1909, 1919, and 1935 for BA Semester 6 Modern Indian History (Paper 1) students of Lucknow University. Questions are presented in both Hindi and English.
Government of India Act 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) ⏱ 1:33
•The Indian Council Act 1909 was introduced by Lord Minto and John Morley.•The Act is also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms.•It introduced the system of separate electorates for the Muslim community.•It expanded the Legislative Councils.•It allowed Indians to discuss the budget in the legislature for the first time.•It introduced the principle of communal representation.Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) ⏱ 3:34
•The Act introduced dyarchy (dual government) in provinces.•It is also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.•The August Declaration of 1917 was announced by Edwin Montagu.•The Act created a bicameral legislature at the centre: Council of States and Legislative Assembly.•It introduced direct elections for the Legislative Council.•The Act came into force in 1921.•Under dyarchy, transferred subjects (e.g., education) were administered by Indian ministers; reserved subjects (e.g., law and order, police) remained with the Governor.•Dyarchy was first introduced in provinces.Government of India Act 1935 (Key Features) ⏱ 7:45
•The Act introduced provincial autonomy.•It proposed a federal government (never implemented because princes refused to join).•There were 11 provinces under the Act.•It abolished dyarchy in provinces.•It created a Federal Court, established in 1937.•The Act divided powers into three lists: Federal list (59 subjects), Provincial list (54 subjects), Concurrent list (36 subjects).•It provided for a bicameral legislature in some provinces (Madras, Bengal, Bombay).•It established the Reserve Bank of India in 1935.•The Act extended franchise to approximately 14% of the population.•It separated Burma from India in 1937.•The Act contained 321 sections and 10 schedules.•It served as the blueprint for the Indian Constitution.Key Questions and Answers ⏱ 11:00
•Simon Commission came to India in 1928; chaired by John Simon; boycotted by both Congress and Muslim League.•First Indian member of Viceroy's Executive Council was Satyendra Prasanna Sinha.•Secretary of State during Morley-Minto Reforms was John Morley.•Viceroy during Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms was Lord Chelmsford.•The Governor-General who implemented the Government of India Act 1935 was Lord Linlithgow.•The Act of 1935 introduced responsible government in provinces.•The Federal Court's first Chief Justice was Moris Gwyer.•Provincial elections under the Act of 1935 were held in 1937.•Congress formed ministries in most provinces in 1937.•The Act of 1935 divided powers between centre and provinces.Comparison of the Three Acts ⏱ 31:00
| Feature | Act of 1909 | Act of 1919 | Act of 1935 |
|---|
| Also known as | Morley-Minto Reforms | Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms | - |
| Key introduction | Separate electorates for Muslims | Dyarchy in provinces | Provincial autonomy, federal structure |
| Legislature | Expanded Legislative Councils | Bicameral legislature at centre | Bicameral in some provinces |
| Franchise | Limited | Limited | Extended to 14% of population |
| Number of provinces | - | - | 11 |
| Federal Court | No | No | Yes (established 1937) |
| Reserve Bank of India | No | No | Yes (established 1935) |
Important Concepts and Dates ⏱ 35:00
•Dyarchy means two types of administration (transferred and reserved subjects).•The Act of 1935 is called the Magna Carta of Indian constitutional development.•It is the longest Act passed by the British Parliament for India.•The Act of 1909 first allowed Indians to discuss the budget.•The Act of 1919 introduced direct elections.•The Act of 1935 created the Federal Railway Authority.•The slogan 'Simon Go Back' was used against the Simon Commission.•The Simon Commission had 7 members, no Indian members.•The Act of 1935 laid the foundation for the present Indian Constitution.Key Takeaways
•The Government of India Act 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims.•The Government of India Act 1919 introduced dyarchy in provinces and a bicameral legislature at the centre.•The Government of India Act 1935 introduced provincial autonomy and proposed a federal government (never implemented).•The Act of 1935 divided powers into three lists: Federal (59 subjects), Provincial (54 subjects), and Concurrent (36 subjects).•The Federal Court was established in 1937, and the Reserve Bank of India in 1935.•The Act of 1935 is considered the most important constitutional development before Indian independence and served as the blueprint for the Indian Constitution.Conclusion
This video covered 150 of the most important MCQs on the Government of India Acts of 1909, 1919, and 1935, essential for BA Semester 6 students. The answers provided are directly from the transcript.
