Consider the following statements : 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21. 2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, 2 only. The 1919 reforms gave no such right to all women, while the 1935 Act did reserve seats for women in the legislatures.
Under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms the vote was tied to property, tax and education, so only a small share of men could vote. The question of votes for women was left to the provincial councils; Madras led the way in 1921 and other provinces followed, but only women who met the same property tests qualified. The Government of India Act, 1935 widened the electorate to about a sixth of adults, made it easier for women to qualify, and set aside reserved seats for women in both the federal and provincial legislatures. Universal adult franchise for all men and women above 21 came only with the Constitution in 1950, and the age was lowered to 18 in 1989.
A and C are wrong: statement 1 is false.
D is wrong: statement 2 is correct.
Exam tip: 1919 = votes for women left to provinces; 1935 = reserved seats for women; 1950 = universal adult franchise at 21; 61st Amendment = 18.
Practice Questions
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After forming the Indian National Army, Subhas Chandra Bose
1. recruited a large number of soldiers from the Indian Prisoners of War in Japanese camp
2. introduced a women's detachment named after the Rani of Jhansi
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
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1. It was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council.
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3. While Gandhiji was arrested, the local leaders were allowed to continue the protest.
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- A.One
- B.Two
- C.Three
- D.None
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- D.Sardar Patel
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- A.1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
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