History of Constitutional Reforms in India

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary concern regarding territorial redistribution highlighted by the Simon Commission in relation to Punjab, Bengal, and NWFP?

Any territorial redistribution must not affect the Muslim majority in Punjab, Bengal, and NWFP.

Why did the Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha find the Nehru Report unsatisfactory?

They were unhappy with the dominion status proposed in the report and the lack of separate electorates for Muslims.

What was the significance of the separation of Sindh from Bombay as proposed in the Nehru Report?

The separation of Sindh aimed to address the distinct cultural and administrative needs of the region.

What was the significance of the Nehru Report in the context of Indian constitutional development?

The Nehru Report marked the first significant attempt by Indians to draft a constitutional framework for self-governance. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Nehru Report address the issue of electorates for Muslims?

The report rejected separate electorates and instead called for joint electorates with reserved seats for Muslims in minority provinces. Signup and view all the answers

How did Nehru and Subhash Bose respond to the modified goal of Congress regarding dominion status?

They rejected the modified goal and established the Independence for India League. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the differing views within the Nehru Committee regarding the constitutional basis for India.

While the majority favored dominion status, a minority called for complete independence as the constitutional basis. Signup and view all the answers

What were the main elements of the constitutional reforms proposed by the Simon Commission?

The commission proposed further constitutional advances, but was boycotted due to the lack of Indian representation. Signup and view all the answers

What recommendation did the Nehru Report make regarding the formation of provinces?

The Nehru Report proposed the establishment of linguistic provinces as part of its recommendations. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the role of Motilal Nehru in the formulation of the Nehru Report.

Motilal Nehru chaired the sub-committee that drafted the Nehru Report, leading its discussions and recommendations. Signup and view all the answers

What were the main objections raised by the Hindu Mahasabha regarding the Simon Commission's proposals?

The Hindu Mahasabha opposed the creation of new Muslim-majority provinces and argued that reservations for Muslims in Punjab and Bengal would lead to Muslim control over legislatures. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Nehru Report attempt to address Muslim representation in legislative assemblies?

The Nehru Report proposed joint electorates with reserved seats for Muslims where they were in minority and aimed for one-third representation of Muslims in the Central Legislative Assembly. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the All Parties Conference reveal the challenges faced by Muslim League leaders?

The All Parties Conference showed the dilemmas faced by Muslim League leaders as they dissociated from demands for reservation of seats, highlighting the struggle to balance communal interests. Signup and view all the answers

What concessions did the Nehru Report make to Hindu communalists regarding provincial representations?

The Nehru Report allowed for joint electorates but granted reservations for Muslims only in provinces where they were in minority, reflecting compromises made to appease Hindu communalists. Signup and view all the answers

What were the proposed new Muslim majority provinces according to the Simon Commission's recommendations?

The Simon Commission proposed the formation of three new Muslim majority provinces: Sindh, Baluchistan, and North-West Frontier Province. Signup and view all the answers

What role did youth organizations play in the protest against the Simon Commission?

They actively participated in the protests, giving them a militant flavor and promoting new radical ideas of socialism. Signup and view all the answers

How did Lala Lajpat Rai's injuries during the protests affect the perception of British rule?

His fatal injuries intensified the sentiment against British Imperialism, as evidenced by his statement linking the violence to the decline of British control. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two leaders who emerged from the youth movement during the protests against the Simon Commission.

Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Bose. Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant outcome of the Simon Commission for the Indian National Congress?

It provided the Congress with a renewed issue that allowed them to mobilize mass action. Signup and view all the answers

How did the police respond to the protests against the Simon Commission?

The police employed severe repression tactics, including lathi charges against demonstrators, even harming senior leaders. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of Indian politicians to Lord Birkenhead's challenge regarding the constitution?

Indian politicians accepted the challenge to present an agreed constitution, signaling their commitment to political engagement. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the rise of radical forces have on the National Movement following the Simon Commission's announcement?

It stimulated demands for complete independence and significant socio-economic reforms on socialist lines. Signup and view all the answers

What were the primary reasons for the establishment of the Simon Commission in 1927?

The Simon Commission was established to assess India's readiness for further constitutional reforms due to the failure of the 1919 Act and the Conservative government's concerns over a potential Labour Party victory. Signup and view all the answers

What was the composition of the Simon Commission, and why was it significant?

The Simon Commission consisted of seven all-white members, which was significant as it highlighted the lack of Indian representation in the discussions about their own governance. Signup and view all the answers

How did the establishment of the Simon Commission reflect British political concerns in the late 1920s?

It reflected British political concerns about the potential rise of the Labour Party and their desire to maintain control over India's future governance amidst instability. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of previous commissions, like the Lee and Linlithgow Commissions, in the context of the Simon Commission's formation.

Previous commissions like the Lee and Linlithgow Commissions identified critical failures in governance and agriculture which set the stage for the need for the Simon Commission's recommendations. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the concerns over the Labour Party's policies influence the British government's decision regarding the Simon Commission?

The British government feared that if the Labour Party came to power, they would adopt policies detrimental to British interests in India, prompting the early establishment of the Simon Commission. Signup and view all the answers

What critique did Indian leaders raise regarding the Simon Commission upon its announcement?

Indian leaders criticized the Simon Commission for being an all-white body without any Indian representation, claiming it was illegitimate and unqualified to address Indian concerns. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Simon Commission's formation impact the Indian National Congress and its strategies?

The formation of the Simon Commission galvanized the Indian National Congress to adopt more radical strategies and demand complete independence rather than just reforms. Signup and view all the answers

What was the broader historical context surrounding the establishment of the Simon Commission in relation to constitutional reforms in India?

The broader historical context included the aftermath of World War I, rising nationalist sentiments, and disillusionment with existing British constitutional measures. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss how the British government's fear of losing colonial control influenced the timing of the Simon Commission's establishment.

The British government's fear of losing control due to rising Indian nationalism and the potential for a Labour government influenced their decision to establish the Simon Commission earlier than scheduled. Signup and view all the answers

What are the tenures for the House of Representatives and the Senate in the Indian Parliament?

The House of Representatives has a tenure of 5 years, while the Senate has a tenure of 7 years. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the governor-general play in the Indian government structure?

The governor-general heads the government and acts on the advice of the central executive council responsible for Parliament. Signup and view all the answers

What specific cultural protections are guaranteed to Muslims under the modern Indian government framework?

The framework provides full protection to the cultural and religious interests of Muslims. Signup and view all the answers

What significance did the Delhi Proposals have in the constitutional development of India?

The Delhi Proposals represented the demands of Muslim leaders for constitutional incorporation, accepted by Congress, highlighting communal interests. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Indian Parliament ensure the representation of various communities?

Representation is achieved through the election of members of the House of Representatives via universal adult suffrage and the Senate by provincial councils. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary demand of the Muslim League at the Delhi session in December 1927?

The primary demand was for the incorporation of four specific proposals into the draft constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'complete dissociation of State from religion' imply in the context of modern India?

It implies that the government does not favor or promote any religion, ensuring secular governance. Signup and view all the answers

What structure comprises the Indian Parliament and who elects its members?

The Indian Parliament consists of a 500-member House of Representatives and a 200-member Senate, with members elected by universal adult suffrage and provincial councils, respectively. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the idea of 'equal rights for women' significant in the context of the Fundamental Rights outlined?

It establishes a legal foundation for gender equality and aims to empower women in society. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Nehru Report (1928)

The Nehru Report was a significant first attempt by Indians to draft a constitutional framework for the country.
The report was drafted by a sub-committee led by Motilal Nehru in response to Lord Birkenhead's challenge for Indians to propose a constitution.
The report primarily focused on British India, envisioning a future federal structure including princely states.
The report advocated for Dominion status, with self-governing dominions as the desired model for India.
It rejected separate electorates and advocated for joint electorates with reserved seats for Muslims in provinces where they were a minority.
The report also recommended linguistic provinces and outlined 19 fundamental rights.

The Simon Commission (1928)

The Simon Commission was an all-white commission appointed by the British government in 1927 to explore the possibility of further constitutional reforms in India.
The commission faced widespread protests and boycotts from Indians due to the exclusion of Indian representation.
The commission's report was published in 1930, proposing abolition of dyarchy, establishment of representative government in provinces with autonomy, and retention of separate communal electorates.
The report rejected parliamentary responsibility at the center and suggested a Consultative Council of Greater India, incorporating representatives from British provinces and princely states.

Communal Tensions and the Nehru Report

The Nehru Report faced criticism from various groups, including the Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, and the younger faction of the Congress led by Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Bose.
The Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, and Sikh communalists were unhappy with the report's proposals, particularly regarding reservations for Muslims and the creation of new Muslim-majority provinces.
The younger Congress faction criticized the report's focus on dominion status, viewing it as a step backward from complete independence.

Dr. Ambedkar and the Simon Commission

Dr. Ambedkar was appointed by the Bombay Legislative Council to work with the Simon Commission.
He advocated for universal adult franchise, provincial autonomy, and safeguards for the depressed classes.
He submitted a memorandum to the Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha detailing the rights required for the depressed classes.
He believed the depressed classes required greater political protection due to educational backwardness, economic poverty, social enslavement, and political disabilities.
Dr. Ambedkar was dissatisfied with the Simon Commission's report, which granted reserved seats but imposed conditions on candidates.

The Impact of the Simon Commission on the National Movement

The appointment of the all-white Simon Commission fueled radical forces demanding complete independence and socio-economic reforms on socialist lines.
It provided a platform for the Congress to mobilize mass action and reiterate its demand for independence.
The Simon Commission's arrival further escalated communal tensions and highlighted the need for a concrete constitutional framework based on Indian aspirations.

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Description

This quiz covers the Nehru Report and the Simon Commission, two pivotal moments in India's constitutional history during the late 1920s. It explores the proposals made by Indian leaders for self-governance and the response to British authority. Test your knowledge of these significant historical events and their impact on India's path to independence.