Without the experience obtained by the Government of India Act, 1935, the Constituent Assembly would not have been able to finish its momentous mission of framing the Constitution for Independent India in just three years. Talk about it. (200 words) ...
Between 1858 and 1947 India's constitutional development progressed through the Indian Councils Act (1861, 1892, 1909), the Government of India Act (1919, 1935) and the Indian Independence Act (1947) gradually increasing Indian representation and autonomy.The constitutional developments between 1858Read more
Between 1858 and 1947 India’s constitutional development progressed through the Indian Councils Act (1861, 1892, 1909), the Government of India Act (1919, 1935) and the Indian Independence Act (1947) gradually increasing Indian representation and autonomy.The constitutional developments between 1858 and 1947 in India had several limitations that hindered the achievement of self governance –
- The Indian Councils Act of 1861, 1892 and 1909 provided for limited representation of Indians in the legislative councils which were dominated by British officials.
- The legislative councils had no real power as the British Governor General and provincial governors retained veto power over legislation.
- The franchise was limited to a small elite group excluding the masses from the political process.
- The British government retained control over key areas like defense, foreign policy and finance.
- The British adopted a divide and rule policy creating separate electorates for Muslims, Sikhs and other communities which hindered the development of a unified nationalist movement.
- The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for limited provincial autonomy but the British retained control over key areas and had the power to dissolve provincial governments.
These limitations hindered the achievement of self governance in India leading to the continuation of British rule until India finally gained independence in 1947.
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The experience gained from the Government of India Act of 1935 was instrumental in aiding the Constituent Assembly in drafting the Indian Constitution in a relatively short period. The 1935 Act was a significant precursor to India's Constitution, providing both practical and theoretical insights intRead more
The experience gained from the Government of India Act of 1935 was instrumental in aiding the Constituent Assembly in drafting the Indian Constitution in a relatively short period. The 1935 Act was a significant precursor to India’s Constitution, providing both practical and theoretical insights into governance and administrative structure.
1. Foundation of Federal Structure: The Government of India Act of 1935 introduced a federal structure with a division of powers between the central government and provinces. This experience helped the Constituent Assembly in designing a more detailed and robust federal framework for India, addressing issues related to the distribution of powers between the central and state governments.
2. Legislative Experience: The Act established a federal system with a bicameral legislature, including the Federal Assembly and the Council of States. The members of the Constituent Assembly, many of whom had experience with this legislative setup, could build on this knowledge to create a more effective parliamentary system.
3. Administrative and Judicial Framework: The 1935 Act provided a basis for the administrative and judicial framework of India. It included provisions for the establishment of high courts and the division of powers among different branches of government, which informed the drafting of similar provisions in the Constitution.
4. Lessons from Implementation: The challenges and limitations experienced under the 1935 Act offered practical lessons on governance, which the Constituent Assembly used to address potential issues in the new Constitution. This practical knowledge helped streamline the drafting process.
In summary, the experience with the Government of India Act of 1935 provided the Constituent Assembly with a valuable reference point, facilitating the drafting of the Constitution and enabling it to complete the task in just three years.
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