Q1. Which British motivation is best reflected by the Indian Councils Act of 1909’s provision for communal electorates?
- To implement secularism
- To undermine Indian unity by promoting divide and rule
- To ensure uniform civil representation
- To decentralize administration to local bodies
Correct Option: 2. To undermine Indian unity by promoting divide and rule.
Explanation: By legitimizing communal representation, the British institutionalized religious divisions, especially between Hindus and Muslims, to weaken the emerging nationalist unity.
Q2. The Indian Councils Act of 1909 marked a qualitative shift in Indian representation primarily because:
- Indians gained the right to vote for the first time
- Indian representatives could now be part of executive governance
- Provincial governments were granted legislative autonomy
- Indians were given military leadership roles
Correct Option: 2. Indian representatives could now be part of executive governance.
Explanation: For the first time, Indians were inducted into the executive councils of the Viceroy and Governors, like Satyendra Prasad Sinha, making it a key constitutional milestone.
Q3. The term “legalized communalism” is often associated with which provision of the Morley-Minto Reforms?
- Expansion of legislative councils
- Power to discuss budgets
- Separate electorates for Muslims
- Entry of Indians into ICS
Correct Option: 3. Separate electorates for Muslims.
Explanation: The 1909 Act introduced separate electorates, meaning Muslim voters could vote only for Muslim candidates, institutionalizing communal identities in politics.
Q4. The phrase “the Act of 1858 was largely confined to improvement of the administrative machinery…” implies that:
- It abolished all Indian councils
- It gave Indians democratic rights
- It significantly altered Indian governance
- It focused mainly on controlling India from Britain
Correct Option: 4. It focused mainly on controlling India from Britain.
Explanation: The Act restructured the British side of administration, emphasizing centralized control from London, with little change to India’s internal governance structure.
Q5. Which of the following statements about the Indian Councils Act of 1909 is incorrect?
- It allowed Indians to move budget resolutions
- It removed the official majority from the Central Legislative Council
- It allowed Muslim representation through separate electorates
- It enabled universities and zamindars to send representatives
Correct Option: 2. It removed the official majority from the Central Legislative Council.
Explanation: The Act retained the official majority at the center. Only provincial councils were allowed to have a non-official majority.