CH 1

Practice flashcards based on lecture notes covering British rule in India and significant constitutional developments.

How did the British Crown indirectly rule India before 1858?

Through the East India Company, which exercised diwani rights (1765) and territorial control.

Why was the Regulating Act of 1773 considered the first step towards central administration?

It subordinated Bombay & Madras under Bengal, introduced a Governor-General, and set up the SC at Calcutta.

What was the primary flaw of the Regulating Act of 1773, leading to its amendment in 1781?

Ambiguous jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, which clashed with the Governor-General's authority.

How did the Pitt’s India Act of 1784 reduce the East India Company’s autonomy?

Created a Board of Control to oversee political matters, establishing ‘Double Government.’

Why is the Charter Act of 1833 considered a turning point in British India’s centralization?

It made the Governor-General of Bengal the ‘Governor-General of India’ with full legislative powers.

How did the Charter Act of 1833 indirectly introduce the concept of merit-based civil services?

It stated that Indians should not be barred from government services, but implementation was blocked.

Why was the Charter Act of 1853 significant for Indian administration?

Separated executive and legislative functions, laid foundations for the Indian Civil Services (ICS).

How did the Government of India Act of 1858 change British control in India?

Transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown, abolished the Board of Control.

What role did the Secretary of State for India play after 1858?

He was a British Cabinet Minister with full control over Indian administration, advised by a 15-member council.

How did the Crown Rule (1858-1947) affect Indian governance compared to Company Rule?

Direct British rule, stronger bureaucracy, but limited representation for Indians in governance.

How did the Indian Councils Act of 1861 introduce representation in governance?

Allowed Indian nomination in legislative councils; first step towards associating Indians in law-making.

Why was the Indian Councils Act of 1892 a weak attempt at legislative expansion?

Introduced indirect elections but retained official majorities in legislative councils.

What was the most controversial provision of the Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms)?

Introduced separate electorates for Muslims, legally institutionalizing communalism.

How did the Government of India Act of 1919 attempt to increase Indian participation in governance?

Introduced dyarchy in provinces, allowing Indian ministers in ‘transferred subjects.’

Why did the dyarchy system under the Government of India Act, 1919 fail?

Ministers had limited financial power, Governors retained veto authority over policies.

How did the Simon Commission (1927) affect India’s constitutional progress?

Excluded Indians from drafting constitutional reforms, leading to nationwide protests.

What was the impact of the Nehru Report (1928) on constitutional demand?

Rejected separate electorates, demanded Dominion status, called for Fundamental Rights.

How did the Communal Award (1932) impact political representation in India?

Extended separate electorates to Dalits, leading to the Poona Pact.

What key provision made the Government of India Act, 1935 unique in Indian constitutional history?

It introduced a federal structure, autonomy in provinces, and separate powers for Centre & Provinces.

Why did the federal system under the Government of India Act, 1935 never materialize?

Princely states refused to join the proposed federation.

How did the Cripps Mission (1942) propose to grant Indian self-governance?

Offered Dominion Status after WWII, but Congress rejected it due to lack of immediate independence.

Why did the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) fail to create a united India?

Muslim League’s insistence on Pakistan led to partition.

How did the Mountbatten Plan (June 1947) resolve the Indian constitutional deadlock?

Proposed partition, led to Indian Independence Act (August 15, 1947).

What was the major flaw in the Indian Independence Act of 1947?

Allowed princely states to choose independence, leading to integration challenges.

Why was the Constituent Assembly of India (1946) formed before independence?

To draft a Constitution before formal independence under British authority.

How did the Government of India Act, 1935 influence the Indian Constitution?

Its administrative framework was largely retained (federal structure, judiciary, public service).

What was the main limitation of the first Interim Government of 1946?

Limited autonomy; still functioned under British Viceroy’s supervision.

What was Sardar Patel’s role in unifying India post-independence?

Integrated 562 princely states into India through diplomacy & force (e.g., Hyderabad, Junagadh).

Why did India reject Dominion Status in 1950?

To become a fully sovereign republic independent from the British Commonwealth.

How did the 1946 Cabinet Mission differ from the 1935 Act?

Proposed a three-tier federation with groupings of provinces, unlike the centralized 1935 Act.

How did the Government of India Act, 1919 influence modern-day governance in India?

Introduced bicameralism, setting the foundation for Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha.

What was the impact of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) on legislative autonomy?

Granted some autonomy but retained veto power with Governors.

How does the British Parliamentary system continue to influence India today?

Features like the Cabinet system, collective responsibility, and parliamentary supremacy.

How did the Nehru Report (1928) shape India’s final Constitution?

Proposed Fundamental Rights, responsible government, and rejected separate electorates.

How did the 1935 Act’s “Instrument of Instructions” influence DPSPs?

Both guide policy implementation; DPSPs later codified in Part IV.

Why did the Constituent Assembly reject the British model of parliamentary sovereignty?

To establish judicial review and the Basic Structure Doctrine.

How did Indian independence differ from other decolonized nations?

Achieved through negotiation (Mountbatten Plan) rather than revolution.

How did the Simon Commission’s exclusion of Indians affect constitutional development?

Led to the demand for full independence instead of Dominion status.

What role did the Poona Pact (1932) play in shaping electoral democracy?

Abolished separate electorates for Dalits, leading to reserved constituencies.

Why was the Communal Award (1932) controversial?

It institutionalized caste-based representation, later modified by the Poona Pact.

How did the Cripps Mission (1942) accelerate the demand for independence?

Congress rejected it, leading to the Quit India Movement.

How does the legacy of the 1935 Act still shape Indian governance?

Federalism, emergency provisions, and All India Services.

Why did the British prefer a strong Governor system in India?

To retain control while giving illusion of autonomy (1935 Act).

What was the real motive behind British decentralization efforts in India?

To weaken nationalist movements by creating internal divisions.

How did the 1946 Cabinet Mission influence the partition of India?

Its three-group federal model was rejected, leading to separate nations.

Why did India not fully adopt the 1935 Act’s federal structure post-independence?

To prevent instability caused by princely states refusing to join India.

What was the biggest structural flaw in British constitutional reforms?

Power remained concentrated in the Governor and the Secretary of State for India.

Why was the August Offer (1940) a failure?

Congress wanted full independence, while the British only offered dominion discussions.

What was the most revolutionary aspect of the Indian Independence Act, 1947?

Complete sovereignty to India & Pakistan without British oversight.

How did British constitutional developments unintentionally unify India?

Forced political consciousness, national movements, and demand for a written Constitution.