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Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces 2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims 3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
The Government of India Act 1919, or Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced 'Dyarchy' in the executive government of the provinces [1]. This system divided provincial subjects into 'reserved' and 'transferred' categories [1]. The Act also facilitated the devolution of legislative authority by separating central and provincial subjects, allowing provinces to legislate on matters assigned to them and even maintain separate budgets [1]. Regarding communal electorates, while the 1919 Act extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans, the separate communal electorate for Muslims was actually introduced earlier by the Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909). Therefore, while the 1919 Act continued and expanded the system, the 'introduction' of separate electorates for Muslims is not a feature of the 1919 Act, making statements 1 and 3 correct.
Sources
- [1] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > 4.2 Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms > p. 44