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Q54 (IAS/2002) History & Culture › National Movement (1857–1947) › Constitutional reforms acts Answer Verified

The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: D
Explanation

The Government of India Act, 1935 provision for an All‑India Federation gave the princely states disproportionate representation and allowed their rulers to nominate representatives rather than having popular elections; this arrangement ensured princes would act as a conservative bulwark against nationalist influence in the federal legislature, which itself was given limited real power [1]. The Act reserved a large block of seats for princes (e.g., substantial allocation in the Federal Assembly and the Council of States), reinforcing their role as appointed counterweights rather than genuine partners in democratic governance [2]. Thus the primary British intent was to use princes to counter‑balance anti‑imperialist nationalist forces.

Sources

  1. [1] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > The Government of India Act, 1935 > p. 291
  2. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 34: The Indian States > V. Policy of Equal Federation (1935-1947): A Non-Starter > p. 607
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2024 · Q62 Relevance score: 2.70

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements : 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States. 2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2009 · Q90 Relevance score: 1.67

Consider the following statements : 1. The discussions in the Third Round Table Conference eventually led to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1935. 2. The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation to be based on a Union of the provinces of British India and the Princely States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CDS-I · 2005 · Q30 Relevance score: 1.19

Consider the following statements: The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for the 1. Establishment of an All-India Federation to be based on the Union of British Indian Provinces and Princely States. 2. Franchise for all the people above 21 years of age. 3. Power to Governors to veto legislative and administrative measures in their provinces. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

NDA-I · 2010 · Q22 Relevance score: 0.04

The Government of India Act, 1935 was based on

IAS · 2005 · Q87 Relevance score: -0.04

Consider the following statements: The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for 1. The provincial autonomy. 2. The establishment of Federal Court. 3. All India Federation at the centre. Which of the statements is/are correct?