Which one of the following had created the office of the Secretary of State for India ?
- A.The Councils Act 1861
- B.The Government of India Act 1858
- C.The Morley Minto Reforms
- D.Montague Chelmsford reforms
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, The Government of India Act 1858. Passed after the Revolt of 1857, this Act ended the rule of the East India Company and created the office of the Secretary of State for India.
The Act of 1858 transferred the government of India to the British Crown. The Secretary of State, a member of the British cabinet, took over the powers of the Company's Court of Directors and Board of Control, and was helped by a fifteen-member Council of India. The Governor-General became the Viceroy, the Crown's representative; Lord Canning was the first. Lord Stanley was the first Secretary of State for India.
A is wrong: the Indian Councils Act 1861 brought Indians into the legislative council as nominated members and gave legal backing to the portfolio system.
C is wrong: the Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909) introduced separate electorates for Muslims.
D is wrong: the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act 1919) brought dyarchy in the provinces.
Exam tip: 1858 Act: Crown rule, Secretary of State (first: Lord Stanley), Viceroy (first: Lord Canning).
Practice Questions
View allWhich of the following is/are important markers for the archaeologists to identify an archaeological site as a 'center of craft production'? 1. Evidence of raw materials such as stone nodules, whole shells, etc. 2. Geographical expanse of the site 3. Evidence of unfinished objects, rejects and waste material 4. Evidence of variety of pottery Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 4 only
- D.3 only
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Craft centres are recognised by raw material and by the leftovers of making things. Archaeologists studying Harappan sites look for raw materials such as stone nodules, whole shells and copper ore, for tools, and for unfinished objects, rejects and waste.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.Sharaf Qai was a minister of Allauddin Khalji
- B.Under Giyasuddin Tughluq Muqtis were warned not to ill-treat any of their officials for small amounts taken over and above their salaries
- C.The Arabic work Masalik-i-Absar gives description of the functioning of Iqta system under Muhammad bin Tughluq
- D.Marco Polo has not mentioned about Pearl Fishery of Tuticorin in South India
Show answer
Marco Polo did describe the pearl fishery of the Tuticorin coast, so the statement that he did not is wrong.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following was known as 'Lokhitwadi'?
- A.Keshub Chandra Sen
- B.Gopal Hari Deshmukh
- C.M.G. Ranade
- D.Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
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He wrote under the pen name 'Lokhitwadi', meaning one who speaks for the welfare of the people. Gopal Hari Deshmukh (1823–1892) was a Maharashtrian social reformer and writer.
Read the full explanation →With reference to the history of India, the 'Katapayadi system', the 'Parahita system' and the 'Drigganita system' are associated with
- A.astronomy
- B.surgery
- C.chemistry
- D.music and dance
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All three come from the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics. Katapayadi is a way of writing numbers with letters, each consonant standing for a digit, so long astronomical tables could be memorised as verses.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Satavahanas ruled over parts of western India and the Deccan 2. The Satavahanas repaired and rebuilt Sudarshana Lake Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
The Satavahanas ruled the Deccan and parts of western India, but the Sudarshana Lake was repaired by others.
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