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.

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

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, est. of a federation, continuation of communal electorate, responsible Government.
• Recommendations of the committee were incorporated in 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

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

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 system of Budget was introduced in British India in 1860

First Cabinet of independent India (1947): Founding Leaders

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. 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

Previous Year Question (Prelims)

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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