Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Indian Independence Act of 1947
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Textual Questions
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Very Short Answer type Questions
Question 1.
When did the battle of Plassey take place ?
Answer:
In 1957 A.D.
Question 2.
Which movement was conducted by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930?
Answer:
Civil Disobedience Movement.
Question 3.
Why did Winston Churchill send Cripps Mission to India?
Answer:
To solve the constitutional obstructions in the then Indian conditions.
Question 4.
When did Clement Attlee become the Prime Minister of Britain?
Answer:
On July 26, 1945.
Question 5.
How many sections were there in the Indian Independence Act, 1947 ?
Answer:
There were 20 sections in the Indian Independence Act, 1947 in all.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Which princely states were merged in East Pakistan?
Answer:
According to the Indian Independence Act, 1947, British India was divided into two parts- India and Pakistan on August 15, 1947, and so were formed two free and sovereign countries. The boundary demarcation between the two countries was done under the guidance of Sir Cyril Radcliffe, the chairperson of the Boundary Commission. Under it, East Bengal and Sylhet states were merged into East Pakistan.
Question 2.
Write down the declaration of 1947 made by British Prime Minister.
Answer:
The British Prime Minister Clement Attlee declared in the House of Commons of British Parliament on February 20, 1947, that the British would transfer the power to the responsible government of India by June 30, 1948, and if there is an agreement among the political parties of India, the power might be handed over, before the given time also.
Question 3.
What were the proposals of Crisps Mission?
Answer:
The proposals of Cripps Mission:
During Second World War, Allied nations put pressure on British Prime Minister Churchill to talk to India and to persuade it to cooperate as an ally in the war. Churchill sent a Mission to India under the leadership of Sir Stafford Cripps to clear the constitutional and political obstructions. The missions’s proposal had two parts:
- During the war
- After the war.
The British Government was responsible for the defense of India till the end of the war, according to a provision.
In the second part of the proposal, it was promised that colonial self-governance would be given and to form a new body to frame the constitution of India, the Constituent Assembly would be elected.
Question 4.
What proposals were put for the princely states in the Indian Independence Act, 1947?
Answer:
The Indian Independence Act was tabled in the British Parliament on July 4,1947. It was passed on July 18, 1947. There were 20 sections in this Act in all. In the Indian independence Act, 1947, it was said that after the formation of two dominions of India and Pakistan, the supremacy of British emperor over the princely states would be ended and all the treaties and agreements between British Government and the princely states would also be dissolved automatically. These princely states would be free to join either India or Pakistan or to remain free.
Question 5.
What changes took place in the position of India after World War II ?
Answer:
Against the wish of Indian people, India was involved in World War II. In 1945, the government of Labour Party was formed in Britain. The Labor Party had a positive attitude for India. The British Prime Minister Attlee sent three members of his Cabinet to bring out a proper solution of constitutional and political obstructions.
They proposed to form a federal state in India, to form a constituent assembly, and to establish an interim government. The proposals were accepted by Congress but the demand of separate Pakistan was refused. Muslim League opposed this and initiated direct action, which sparked off communal riots all over the country.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Essay Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe the plan presented by Cabinet Mission.
Answer:
In February 1946, British Prime Minister Attlee sent a group of three members of British cabinet-Lord Pathic Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A.B. Alexander to India. This group was called the Cabinet Mission. It arrived in India on March 24, 1946 and presented its report on May 16, 1946. The Plan / Recommendations Presented by Cabinet Mission.
- The Cabinet Mission proposed that there shall be an Indian federation empowered to deal with defense, foreign affairs and transportation.
- The Cabinet Mission recommended an undivided India and turned down the Muslim League’s demand for a separate Pakistan.
- It provided that all the members of the interim cabinet would be Indians and there would be minimum interference by the Viceroy.
- The Cabinet Mission recognized Indian right to cede to the Commonwealth.
- It provided that Union Government and its legislature would have absolute powers dealing with finance, foreign affairs and communications.
- A Constituent Assembly will be formed of the representatives of the provincial assemblies and the princely states.
- The representation of the provincial legislatures was to be divided into three sections:
Section A—Madras, U.P, Central Provinces, Bombay, Bihar and Orrissa.
Section B—Punjab, Sindh, North – western Frontier Provinces, Baluchistan.
Section C—Assam and Bengal.
Question 2.
Describe the Mountbatten Plan.
Answer:
Mountbatten Plan is also known as June 3 Plan or Dickie Bird Plan.
On March 24, 1947, Lord Mountbatten came to India as the Viceroy. As soon as he took charge, he started discussions with the leaders of Congress and Muslim League to resolve the then existing problems. On May 18, 1947, Mountbatten went to London to discuss the final solution of the problem with the British Government. After coming back – from London, Mountbatten presented the plan of the partition of India and the transfer of power on June 3, 1947.
Main Points of Mountbatten Plan:
- India to be divided into two dominions – India and Pakistan.
- Bengal and Punjab would be partitioned and a referendum in North – Western Frontier province and Sylhet district of Assam would be held.
- There would be a separate Constituent Assembly for Pakistan to frame its constitution.
- The princely states would have the liberty to join either India or Pakistan or to remain independent.
- August 15, 1947 was the date fixed for handing over power to India and Pakistan. Hence, we can say that main purpose of the Mountbatten Plan was the execution of partition of India and speedy transfer of responsibilities initially in the form of dominion status to Indian Governments.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Multiple – Choice Questions
Question 1.
When did Congress celebrate first Independence Day of India?
(a) On 22nd June, 1921
(b) On 26th January, 1947
(c) On 26th January, 1930
(d) On 15th August, 1947
Answer:
(c) On 26th January, 1930
Question 2.
Indian Independence Act was presented in the British Parliament:
(a) On July 18, 1947
(b) On July 4, 1947
(c) On February 20, 1947
(d) On August 15, 1947
Answer:
(b) On July 4, 1947
Question 3.
Naval rebellion took place:
(a) in 1943
(b) in 1944
(c) in 1945
(d) in 1946
Answer:
(d) in 1946
Question 4.
Cripps Mission arrived in India:
(a) in 1940
(b) in 1941
(c) in 1942
(d) in 1943
Answer:
(c) in 1942
Question 5.
The title of Emperor of India was stripped from the British crown:
(a) By the Act of 1935
(b) By the Act of 1919
(c) By the Act of 1947
(d) By the Act of 1942
Answer:
(c) By the Act of 1947
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Other Important Questions and Answers
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
In which year was the Quit India movement started?
(a) in 1930
(b) in 1942
(c) in 1946
(d) in 1947
Answer:
(b) in 1942
Question 2.
In which year did the Second World War start?
(a) in 1939
(b) in 1942
(c) in 1935
(d) in 1914
Answer:
(a) in 1939
Question 3.
Proposal of the formation of the Constituent Assembly was presented by:
(a) Cabinet Mission
(b) Mountbatten plan
(c) Cripps Mission
(d) Simon Commission
Answer:
(a) Cabinet Mission
Question 4.
“British Government shall transfer the power to a responsible government by June, 1948”. This statement was made by:
(a) Winston Churchill
(b) Clement Attlee
(c) Margaret Thatcher
(d) Queen Victoria
Answer:
(b) Clement Attlee
Question 5.
The Mountbatten Plan to divide India into two dominions was accepted on:
(a) June 3, 1947
(b) August 15, 1947
(c) July 4, 1947
(d) July 18, 1947
Answer:
(a) June 3, 1947
Question 6.
Indian Independence Act was passed in the British Parliament on:
(a) July 4, 1947
(b) July 18, 1947
(c) June 3, 1947
(d) August 15, 1947
Answer:
(b) July 18, 1947
Question 7.
Indian Independence Act, 1947 was passed:
(a) To execute the Cripps Plan
(b) To execute the Cabinet Mission Plan
(c) to execute the Mountbatten Plan
(d) All these
Answer:
(c) to execute the Mountbatten Plan
Question 8.
The statement, “The partition of country will be over my dead body”, was made by:
(a) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Purushottam Das Tandon
(d) Abdul Gaffar Khan
Answer:
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
Question 9.
The first Governor General of independent India was:
(a) Lord Mountbatten
(b) Clement Attlee
(c) Winston Churchill
(d) C. Rajagopalachari
Answer:
(a) Lord Mountbatten
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Very Short Answer Types Questions
Question 1.
When did the British rule come to an end in India?
Answer:
On August 15, 1947.
Question 2.
Which movement was conducted by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942?
Answer:
Quit India movement.
Question 3.
Who conducted direct action regarding the demand of Pakistan ?
Answer:
Muslim League.
Question 4.
When did Naval mutiny take place?
Answer:
In 1946.
Question 5.
When was the Cripps proposal withdrawn?
Answer:
The Cripps proposal was withdrawn on April 11, 1942.
Question 6.
Name the British Political Party that had a positive attitude for India.
Answer:
Lab-our Party.
Question 7.
Name the Party that formed the government in Britain in 1945.
Answer:
Lab-our Party.
Question 8.
Name the members of Cabinet Mission.
Answer:
- Pathik Lawrence
- Sir Stafford Cripps
- A.V. Alexander
Question 9.
Name the policy of Muslim League which caused the spread of communal riots in India.
Answer:
The policy of Direct Action.
Question 10.
Who opposed Mountbatten’s partition plan till the last moment?
Answer:
Abdul Gaffar Khan and Purushottam Das Tandon.
Question 11.
What plan in history that is known as ‘Man – Bantan Yojana’?
Answer:
It is the Mountbatten Plan.
Question 12.
Who proposed the plan of dividing India into two dominions?
Answer:
Lord Mountbatten.
Question 13.
When was Indian independence Act presented in the British Parliament?
Answer:
On July 4, 1947.
Question 14.
Which states were merged in western Pakistan?
Answer:
Western Punjab, Sindh, North Baluchistan, and the small princely states of Baluchistan.
Question 15.
To whom were the rights of India Secretary given after the abolition of this post?
Answer:
The Secretary of Commonwealth.
Question 16.
Who was the first Governor General of independent India?
Answer:
Lord Mountbatten.
Question 17.
Who took oath as the first Prime Minister of independent India?
Answer:
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why did Congress leadership accept the Mountbatten Plan? Explain.
Answer:
The Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten, discussed with leaders of Congress and Muslim League about this plan. It was mentioned in the plan that India would be partitioned into two dominions India and Pakistan. Congress leaders were against the partition of India. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The partition of the country will be over my dead body.” All important leaders of Congress – Pt.
Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar VallabhBhai Patel, Maulana Azad, etc. were against the partition in the beginning, but seeing the massacre due to Direct Action taken by the Muslim League, they were distressed. Hence, to maintain peace and law and order in future in the country, they accepted the Mountbatten Plan.
Question 2.
Write any two characteristics of Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Answer:
Two characteristics of Indian independence Act, 1947
1. The foundation of two dominion states:
This Act had a provision that India would be partitioned and so two dominions India and Pakistan would be formed.
2. An end of British supremacy over princely states:
With the formation of these dominions, the British supremacy would end over the princely states and all the treaties and agreements between them would automatically stand void. The states would be free to join either India or Pakistan, or to remain independent.
Question 3.
What were the provisions regarding the end of post of India Secretary and public services in Indian Independence Act, 1947 ?
Answer:
It was proposed in Indian Independence Act, 1947, that the post of India Secretary would be scrapped and all of his rights would be transferred to the secretary of the Commonwealth. In context to the public services, it was said in the Act that all members of Indian Public Services would keep on working as they had been doing. They would be provided all specific rights related to position, salary and leave and other facilities which were being provided to them earlier.
Question 4.
What was mentioned in the Indian Independence Act, 1947, about British emperor, government and their rights ?
Answer:
In the Indian Independence Act, 1947, it was mentioned that after August 15, 1947, British control and rule over the two dominion states of India and Pakistan would end. The title of emperor of India would be scrapped from the British crown. With this, all the rights of British Parliament regarding the Bills and Acts passed by the two dominions would automatically be scrapped. But in the name of British Government, governor – general was provided the rights to pass a bill.
RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 20 Essay Type Questions
Question 1.
Explain the background of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Answer:
The background of the Indian Independence Act, 1947 can be described as follows:
1. National Events:
The proposal of attaining complete independence was passed in Lahore Congress Session held on December 31, 1929. It was also decided in that session that the Indian Independence Day would be celebrated on every 26 January since 1930. Several movements that were also conducted, such as Civil Disobedience and Quit India, formation of Azad Hind Fauj by Subhash Chandra Bose and Naval mutiny in 1946, forced the British Government to frame this Act.
2. Changed Circumstances due to world war II:
The people of India did not wish to cooperate the Britishers in world war II. But the leaders of Indian Congress supported them to find some remedies for the constitutional obstructions such as:
(1) Cripps Proposal:
In 1942, British Government sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India. The proposals suggested by him are called Cripps proposals. In the first part of the proposal, there was a provision that British Government would be liable for defense of India till the war would end. In the second part, there were the provisions of providing colonial or limited independence. The proposal was very dis-satisfactory, so it was refused by the political parties.
(2) Cabinet Mission Plan:
In 1945, the Lab-our party formed the Government in England. Then, Prime Minister Attlee sent members of his cabinet known as Cabinet Mission to India.
The Mission suggested:
- The formation of federal state in India
- Formation of a Constituent Assembly for the framing of constitution of India
- Formation of an interim Government until the new government is formed according to the constitution.
3. The declaration of British Prime Minister:
The British Prime Minister declared that the British Government would hand over the power to a responsible government by June 1948 or even before it.
4. Mountbatten Plan:
Lord Mountbatten, the Governor General of India, succeeded in making a compromise between Congress and Muslim League. The two parties agreed to the partition of India according to the Mountbatten Plan and the power of governance was transferred to two dominions-India and Pakistan-on August 15,1947.
Question 2.
Describe main characteristics of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Or
Evaluate the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Answer:
Main characteristics of Indian Independence Act, 1947 are as follows:
1. By this Act, India was divided into two Dominions:
India and Pakistan.
2. The freedom to frame the new constitution was provided to both the dominions:
India and Pakistan.
3. Demarcation of Boundary:
In Mountbatten Plan, the regions provided to India and Pakistan were also described. According to the plan, the Muslim – dominated areas were given to Pakistan, and Hindu – dominated areas, to India.
4. Dual Format of Constituent Assembly:
The constituent assemblies of two dominions would be sovereign and would act as legislatures until the framing of their constitutions.
5. The Right of operating Governance and Amendments:
The two dominions would operate the governance according to Government of India Act, 1935 and the two dominions would use they rights for making amendments in it.
6. The Governor – General of the new dominions:
For each of the two dominions, a separate Governor – General was to be appointed by the British Crown.
7. Powers of Governor – General:
The Governor – General was empowered to bring this Act in force and to divide the territories, powers, duties and rights.
8. An end of the rights of British Emperor:
The “Emperor of India” title was scrapped from the British Crown. All the rights of British emperor regarding India were ended.
9. The control of British Government was removed:
The control of British government in the newly – formed dominion or it’s any part was scrapped.
10. An end of the post of India Secretary:
According to the Indian Independence Act, 1947, the post of India Secretary was abolished and all his rights and powers were transferred to the Secretary of Commonwealth.
Evaluation of the Indian Independence Act, 1947:
By this Act, peaceful transfer of power took place smoothly, and the two independent and sovereign states of India and Pakistan came into existence and the long British rule ended. Lord Samuel called it an event unique in world history.