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Government of India Acts: Evolution, Autonomy & Road to Independence (1919-1947)

 

Government of India Acts: Evolution, Autonomy & Road to Independence (1919-1947)

 

Catalysts and Collaborations in the Government of India Act of 1919

Circumstances that led to GOI act 1919: Path to Indian Autonomy

  • The British denied the self-determination policy to India, which was applied to Turkey after world war 1.
  • Repressive British Policies: Morley Minto reforms (Like Indian press act of 1910,Seditious Meeting Act 1914, Criminal law amendment act 1913 and Defence of Government of India Act of 1915)  were aimed to suppress the rising tide of discontent of Indians, leading to a call for the Government of India Act.
  • Discontent among Muslims: Annulment of Partition of Bengal and Balkan war in which Turkey faced conspiracy by the British, these factors kept Muslims in doubt about British intention. 
    • As a consequence, Muslim and Hindu united and formulated the Lucknow Pact (1916).
  • The Lucknow Pact: It established cordial relations between the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress.
    • It also helped in establishing cordial relations between the two prominent groups within the Indian National Congress – Moderates and Extremists in Lucknow session
  • Wide Awakening Among Indians: Awakening among Indian leaders at this stage was very appealing  and they themselves formulated schemes for reforms for the consideration of the Government of India Act.
    • One such scheme was put forward by 19 members of central legislature including Jinnah, Shrinivas Shastri and Surendra Nath Bannerjee etc in which scheme focussed on responsible to Government of India Act.
    • In 1916, Joint scheme was put forward by Congress and Musilm league as a outcome of Lucknow pact
  • Montagu’s statement of 20 august 1917 of gradual development of responsibility to Government of India Act.
    • This declaration soothes the tense of Indians for that time.
  • Montagu, the Secretary of State, arrived in India in Nov 1917 for consideration of reforms with Viceroy Lord Chemsford, eminent British civil servants and Indian politicians of all shades of opinion. 
  • A committee was formed – William Duke, Earl of Donoughmore, Bhupendra Nath Basu and Charles Robert which together with Viceroy- to help Montagu to prepare the draft of the reform scheme which was published in July 1918 and is called Montagu-Chelmsford Report.
  • On the basis of this report, the Government of India Act 1919 was passed.
  • The Act consisted of 47 sections and 5 schedules and was written in a legal style

   

Also Read: India’s Population Framework: NRC, NPR, and Census of India

 

Government of India Act 1919: Dynamics of Dyarchy, Bicameralism, and Electoral Reforms

Features Description
Dyarchy in the Provinces:
  • The element of Dyarchy was introduced (Dual Rule/ Double Government)
  • Division of the Subjects allocated to the states into two Categories, one managed by the Executive Branch, Second by Popular ministers who were Indians in the Provinces.
Separation of Central and Provincial Subjects
  • Central and Provincial Subjects were separated with the power to make Laws on their respective subjects under the Government of India Act.
  • Central subjects were those subjects which were of National importance (Like Defence, Foreign affairs, Communications, Public Debt etc).
  • Provincial Subjects were those which were of Provincial importance (Like Local self government, Land Revenue, Famine relief, Law and Order etc).
  • Residuary subjects were included in Central Subjects (Those which were not transferred to Provinces).
  • The Governor was head of the executive government in the provinces.
Bicameralism
  • For the First time, the Indian Legislative Council was replaced by the Upper (Council of state) and Lower House (Legislative assembly) of the Parliament. 
  • Majority members were to be chosen by Direct Elections.   
  • Duration of assembly was 3 years and for the council of state it was 5 years.
  • Women were given the right to vote for legislative assembly.
Separation of Budget
  • Provincial Budget was separated from Central Budget and Provinces were allowed to enact their own Budget.
Indians in Viceroy Council
  • Three of the six members of the Viceroy Executive Council were Indians. (Excluding Commander in Chief).
    • Indian members were given charge of departments like Law, Education, Labour, Health and Industries.
Extended Separate Electorate
  • It extended for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo Europeans, Europeans (Element of Communal Representation).
Appointment of Commission:
  • Act provided for setting up of a Commission to oversee the work after 10 years of these provisions coming into force. 
  • The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 for this purpose.
Electoral Franchise
  • It is given to a number of people on the basis of property, Tax, Education.

 

Impact of the Simon Commission 1927 on Political Transformation

  • Mandated by GOI 1919 to review the political situation of India every 10 years.
  • To report on condition of India under Government of India Act 1919
  • Seven-member statutory commission (no Indian)
  • Recommended: Abolition of dyarchy, establishment . of a federation, continuation of communal electorate, responsible Government.
  • Recommendations of the committee were incorporated into the GOI Act of 1935.

Government of India Act 1935: Framing Federations, Defining Subjects, and Princely Predicaments #

  • It provided for the All India Federation consisting of Provinces and Princely states and divided the Subjects based on Centre, Provincial and Concurrent List.
    • Entry into the federation for Indian provinces was compulsory and for princely states it was optional.
    • Princely States did not join the Federation.

Features of Government Of India Act 1935: Transforming Power Structures, Reshaping Franchise, and Navigating Rigidity #

Diarchy was Abolished
  • Dyarchy was abolished in the provinces.
  • Provincial autonomy (It came into force on 1 April 1935) was introduced in its place. 
  • Diarchy in the Centre was introduced. Federal subjects were categorised into reserved and transferred subjects. (This provision never came to being.)
Responsible Government in Provinces
  • It was introduced in the provinces. 
  • Governor was required to act under the advice of the ministers responsible to the provincial legislature. 
  • This provision took effect in 1937 and was repealed in 1939.
  • Provinces were permitted to operate as independent administrative units.
Bicameralism in Provinces
  • It came into being in six out of 11 provinces. Bengal, Bombay, Madras, United Province, Bihar and Assam.
Separate Electorate Extended
  • It was extended for the depressed classes and Women. (Provision of Separate electorate extended).
Secretary of States Council Abolished
  • The Secretary of State was given a team of advisors.
  • The Council of India was abolished.
Extended Adult Franchise
  • 10% of people got voting rights.
  • Representatives of Indian provinces were elected while those of princely states were nominated.
The New Constitution was Rigid
  • The Constitution was rigid and the final authority to amend the constitution was the British Government.
  • It has 321 sections and 10 schedules.
Other Features
  • Residuary power was with the Governor General.
  • 80 percent of the budget was still non-votable.
  • Reserve Bank of India is to be established for controlling currency and credit.
  • Federal Court was established in 1937.It provided original and appellate powers.
    • However, Final word lied with the Privy council in London.

 

Also Read: CITIZENSHIP ACT 1955 : ACQUISITION AND LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT OF 1947: Partition, Independence, and Mountbatten’s Plan

Background:

  • Cabinet Mission Plan(1946): Congress accepted the plan but Muslim League was reluctant to do so because of intense demand for Pakistan which was not provided in the cabinet mission plan.
  • Congress Swept Majority: Elections to the constituent assembly happened and Congress swept majority in this election ,this terrifies the Jinnah as they moved in Minority status.
  • Direct Action Day: Jinnah launched Direct Action Day (16 August 1946) for pressuring Congress for its Pakistan demand.
  • Interim Government: Viceroy asked for an Interim government but Jinnah did not join the Interim government.
  • Attlee’s Announcement (27 Feb 1947) and gave June 1948 as the deadline for transfer of power and by which the British would quit India.
  • Mountbatten Plan (3rd June Plan):
    • It gave the provisions of Partition of India with the creation of two independent Dominion; India, Pakistan. 
    • These Dominions had the Right to secede from the British Commonwealth.
  • Mountbatten Plan prepared the base for Indian Independence Act of 1947(also known as Government of India Act 1947).
    • Muslim League was happy because the Mountbatten Plan provided for partition of the country.
    • Congress also accepted the plan as it was unavoidable.

Features of Government of India Act 1947: Constitutional Transformations and the Dawn of Independence #

Abolition of Viceroy
  • The Office of the Viceroy came to an end. 
  • Hereafter the British king would not have any responsibility w.r.t the Government of India.
Appointment of Governor General
  • Governor Generals were to be appointed in both the Dominion of India and Pakistan by the King of Britain.
Constituent Assemblies of the Dominions
  • Constituent assemblies  were empowered to frame and enact the Constitution. 
  • The Assembly could also repeal any act including the Independence of India Act. 
  • The Constituent Assembly could make laws for their territories until the new Constitution was drafted and enacted.
Governance under Government of India  Act  1935
  • Each Dominion and every province would be governed by the provisions of the Government of India  act  1935.
Constitutional Head of State:
  • It designated the Governor-General of India and the provincial governors as constitutional (nominal) heads of the states under the Government of India Act. 
  • They were required to act on the advice of their respective councils of ministers in all matters.
Other Features
  • As a mark of transfer of power to India, it dropped the title of “Emperor of India” from the royal titles of the King of England.
  • Right to Veto Bills or ask for Reservation of Bills of the Governor were reserved but were taken away from the British Monarch.
  • The Office of Secretary of State was abolished and Its functions were transferred to the Secretary of States for the Commonwealth.
  • British authority over the princely states ended.
    • They were allowed to be independent or join any dominion.
    • All treaties and agreement between the two  came to an end on 15 August.
  • The act discontinued the appointment to civil services and reservation of posts by the secretary of state for India. 

 

Do You Know?

  • The Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British Parliament on July 4, 1947 and received the Royal Assent on July 18, 1947. The act came into force on August 15, 1947. 
  • The Budget was introduced in British India in 1860
  • Lord Mountbatten became the first Governor General of Independent India
  • C. Rajagopalachari became the first Indian Governor General of India: 

 

First Cabinet of Independent India (1947)

Members Portfolio
Jawaharlal Nehru Prime Minister; Scientific Research, External Affairs & Commonwealth Relations; 
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Home, Information & Broadcasting; States 
Rajendra Prasad Food & Agriculture 
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Education
Dr. John Mathai Railways & Transport 
R.K. Shanmugham Chetty Finance
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Law
Jagjivan Ram Labour 
Sardar Baldev Singh Defence 
Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur Health
C. H. Bhabha Commerce
Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Communication
Dr. Shayama Prasad Mukherji Industries & Supplies
V.N. Gadgil Works, Mines & Power

 

Also Read: THE INDIAN DIASPORA: CONTRIBUTIONS, CHALLENGES, & GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

 

Conclusion

  • Conclusively, the era of Crown rule in India spanning almost 90 years, marked by the Government of India Act, marked a momentous shift in the country’s history. 
  • The reforms implemented during this period brought about significant changes, but India’s journey towards independence was not without obstacles. 
  • Nevertheless, India finally achieved freedom in 1947, making Crown rule, characterized by the Government of India Act, a noteworthy and transformative period in Indian history.

Previous Year Question (Prelims) #

Q. The people of India agitated against the arrival of the Simon Commission because__________(2013)

  1. Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919
  2. Simon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces
  3. There was no Indian member in the Simon Commission
  4. The Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country

Q. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following were treated as “Reserved” subjects? (2022)

  1. Administration of Justice
  2. Local Self-Government
  3. Land Revenue
  4. Police

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 2, 3 and 4
  3. 1, 3 and 4
  4. 1, 2 and 4

Q. In the Federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the___(2018)

  1. Federal Legislature
  2. Governor General
  3. Provincial Legislature
  4. Provincial Governors

Q. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the_______________ (2012)

  1. Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 
  2. Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
  3. Government of India Act, 1935 
  4. Indian Independence Act, 1947

Q. Consider the following statements: (2021)

  1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.
  2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2 

Q. In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to_________(2017)

  1. Division of the central Legislature into two houses.
  2. Introductions of double Government i.e., central and Statement governments.
  3. Having two sets of rulers; One in London and another in Delhi.
  4. Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.

Q. The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to______(2016)

  1. Social reforms
  2. Educational reforms
  3. Reforms in police administration
  4. Constitutional reforms

Q. The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined______________(2015)

  1. The separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature.
  2. The jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments.
  3. The powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy
  4. None of the above

Q. Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? (2012)

  1. Introduction of diarchy in the executive government of the provinces.
  2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims.
  3. Devolution of legislative authority by the center to the provinces.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1 only 
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only 
  4. 1, 2 and 3
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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