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× #1 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #2 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #3 Vedic Civilization: Evolution of Society and Thought in Ancient India #4 Mahajanapadas and the Rise of Kingdoms in Ancient India #5 The Rise of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya #6 Emperor Ashoka and the Spread of Buddhism #7 Decline of the Mauryan Empire #8 The Rise of the Shunga Dynasty and the Brahmanical Revival #9 The Satavahana Dynasty – Bridging North and South India #10 The Indo-Greek and Kushan Invasions – Crossroads of Cultures #11 The Sangam Age – Literature, Trade, and Tamilakam’s Golden Past #12 Mauryan Empire – Political Centralization and Ashoka’s Dhamma #13 Post-Mauryan Age – Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushans, and Cultural Exchanges #14 The Rise and Achievements of the Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE) #15 Post-Gupta Period and the Rise of Regional Kingdoms (c. 550–750 CE) #16 Pallavas and Chalukyas: South India’s Classical Kingdoms (c. 6th–8th Century CE) #17 Rashtrakutas and Their Contributions to Art and Empire (c. 8th–10th Century CE) #18 Pandyas and Cheras: Southern Trade and Cultural Flourishing (c. 6th Century BCE – 13th Century CE) #19 The Rise of the Maurya Empire and the Role of Chandragupta Maurya #20 The Reign of Bindusara – Consolidation and Expansion of the Maurya Empire #21 Foundation and Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate #22 Alauddin Khalji’s Market Reforms and Military Expansion #23 Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s Ambitious Experiments and Their Consequences #24 Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Welfare State and Religious Orthodoxy #25 Rise of the Vijayanagara Empire: Foundation, Expansion, and Administration #26 Bahmani Sultanate: Origin, Administration, and Cultural Contributions #27 Delhi Sultanate under the Tughlaq Dynasty: Reforms, Failures, and Legacy #28 Vijayanagara Empire: Rise, Administration, Culture, and Downfall #29 Bahmani Kingdom: Origin, Culture, and Struggle with Vijayanagara #30 Delhi Sultanate in the South: Influence on the Deccan #31 Krishna Deva Raya: The Philosopher King and His Administration #32 Battle of Talikota (1565) and the Decline of the Vijayanagara Empire #33 Mughal Empire: Rise under Babur and Humayun #34 Akbar the Great: Expansion and Consolidation of the Mughal Empire #35 Jahangir and Shah Jahan: Continuity, Culture, and the Peak of Mughal Aesthetics #36 Aurangzeb: Orthodoxy, Expansion, and the Seeds of Decline #37 Later Mughals and the Decline of the Empire (1707–1857) #38 The Maratha Confederacy: Rise, Expansion, and Conflicts with the Mughals and British #39 The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh #40 Bhakti and Sufi Movements: Spiritual Awakening in Medieval India #41 Mughal Administration: Centralization, Mansabdari, and Provincial Governance #42 Rise of the Marathas: Shivaji, Administration, and Expansion #43 Peshwa Administration and the Expansion of Maratha Power in North India #44 Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Causes, Course, and Consequences #45 Decline of the Mughal Empire: Internal Weaknesses and External Pressures #46 Establishment of British Power in India: From Trading Company to Political Empire #47 The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Events, and Consequences #48 Social Reform Movements in 19th Century India: Bridging Tradition and Modernity #49 Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885): The Birth of Political Awakening in India #50 Partition of Bengal (1905): Divide and Rule Strategy and the Rise of Extremist Nationalism #51 The Surat Split (1907): Clash of Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress #52 The Home Rule Movement (1916): Laying the Foundation for Self-Governance #53 The Lucknow Pact (1916): A Rare Moment of Hindu-Muslim Unity #54 The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act, 1919: A Step Forward or a Tactical Delay? #55 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Gandhi’s Mass Awakening of India #56 Simon Commission and Nehru Report (1927–28): Rejection, Resistance, and the Quest for Dominion Status #57 Lahore Session of 1929 and the Demand for Purna Swaraj: The Tricolour of Defiance #58 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34): Salt, Satyagraha, and the Spirit of Rebellion #59 Round Table Conferences (1930–1932): Dialogues Amidst Dissonance #60 Government of India Act 1935: The Last Colonial Blueprint #61 Quit India Movement (1942): A Call for “Do or Die” #62 Indian National Army and Subhas Chandra Bose: The Armed Resistance Against Empire #63 The Royal Indian Navy Revolt (1946): Mutiny That Rocked the Empire #64 The Mountbatten Plan and the Partition of India (1947): Final Steps to Freedom #65 Integration of Princely States and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Role: The Iron Man’s Mission to Unite India #66 Formation and Adoption of the Indian Constitution: The Framing of a Republic #67 Nagara style of Temple Architecture and its regional variations #68 Dravida Style of Temple Architecture and Its Features #69 The Legacy and Philosophy of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati #70 The Arya Samaj Movement and Its Impact on Indian Society #71 India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the UNESCO list #72 Tribal Art and Culture of India: Warli, Gond, and Santhal Traditions #73 The syncretic nature of Sufi and Bhakti movements in promoting social harmony #74 Contributions of ancient India to Science and Mathematics (e.g., metallurgy, astronomy) #75 Development of Rock-Cut Architecture from Mauryan caves to Pallava Rathas #76 Maritime history of ancient and medieval India: Trade, cultural exchange, and naval power #77 The role and status of women in the Vedic and post-Vedic periods #78 The influence of Buddhist art and philosophy on Southeast Asian culture #79 Raja Ram Mohan Roy #80 Swami Vivekananda #81 Swami Dayananda Saraswati #82 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar #83 Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa #84 Rani Lakshmibai: The Warrior Queen of Jhansi #85 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The Architect of Modern India's Social Justice #86 Jyotirao Phule: The Pioneer of Social Reform and Education in Modern India #87 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Moderate Reformer and Mentor of Gandhi #88 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: The Father of Indian Unrest and the Awakening of National Consciousness #89 Annie Besant: The Theosophist, Reformer, and Catalyst for Indian Nationalism #90 Dadabhai Naoroji: The Grand Old Man of India and the Architect of Economic Nationalism #91 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Liberal Reformer and Mentor of Mahatma Gandhi #92 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Father of Indian Unrest and Champion of Swaraj #93 Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Who Lit the Flame of Freedom #94 Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab and a Voice of Assertive Nationalism #95 Robert Clive (1754-1767) #96 Warren Hastings (1772–1785): The First Governor-General of India #97 Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793): Reformer of British Administration in India #98 Lord Wellesley (1798–1805): Architect of British Supremacy through Subsidiary Alliance #99 Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore and the Struggle Against British Colonialism #100 DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SERVICES #101 Champaran Satyagraha

HISTORY

Introduction

By the early 1930s, the British Empire was facing increased resistance from Indian nationalists, demands from various interest groups, and pressure to devolve power. After the Round Table Conferences failed to yield consensus, the British unilaterally drafted and passed the Government of India Act, 1935 in the British Parliament.

This act was meant to serve as a comprehensive constitution for British India, replacing the Government of India Act of 1919, and was designed to appease all stakeholders—the Congress, Muslim League, Princes, and the British government itself.

1. Background

Key Influences:

  • Simon Commission Report (1929) – Suggested further reforms.

  • Round Table Conferences (1930–32) – Exposed divisions among Indian leaders.

  • Communal Award (1932) – Deepened the issue of separate electorates.

The British White Paper (1933) proposed a federal structure, which eventually culminated in the 1935 Act.

2. Key Features of the Government of India Act, 1935

1. All-India Federation

  • Proposed a federation of:

    • British Indian provinces and

    • Princely states (voluntary entry).

  • However, princely states never joined, so the federation never materialized.

2. Division of Powers

  • Introduced a three-tier legislative structure:

    • Federal List (59 subjects) – Central government.

    • Provincial List (54 subjects) – Provincial governments.

    • Concurrent List (36 subjects) – Both.

This was the first time a structured distribution of powers was laid out, which the Indian Constitution later retained and refined.

3. Provincial Autonomy

  • Provinces were granted autonomous powers.

  • Diarchy at the provincial level was abolished (unlike in 1919).

  • Elected ministers now had control over all provincial departments.

4. Diarchy at the Centre

  • Ironically, while provinces gained autonomy, the centre was placed under diarchy:

    • Reserved subjects like defense and foreign affairs remained under the Governor-General.

    • Transferred subjects were to be administered by a council of ministers.

  • Ultimately, the Governor-General had overriding powers, nullifying real autonomy.

5. Bicameral Federal Legislature

  • Introduced a bicameral federal legislature:

    • Council of State (Upper House).

    • Federal Assembly (Lower House).

  • But since the federation was never formed, this central legislature remained theoretical.

6. Separate Electorates and Communal Representation

  • Continued and even expanded separate electorates:

    • For Muslims, Sikhs, Europeans, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, and Depressed Classes.

  • These provisions deepened communal divisions.

7. Franchise (Voting Rights)

  • Only 14% of Indians got the right to vote—based on property, tax, or education.

  • Universal adult suffrage was not introduced.

8. Federal Court

  • Established the Federal Court of India in 1937, precursor to today’s Supreme Court.

  • Jurisdiction over:

    • Federal law disputes,

    • Provincial conflicts,

    • Appeals from High Courts.

9. Establishment of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

  • RBI was created under this Act in 1935, to regulate currency and credit.

3. Working and Implementation

What Was Implemented:

  • Provincial autonomy began in 1937.

  • Congress ministries came to power in several provinces.

What Failed:

  • The All-India Federation was never realized.

  • The central diarchy structure was never truly functional.

  • World War II halted any meaningful continuation or reforms.

4. Reactions to the Act

Indian National Congress:

  • Criticized the Act for being regressive and autocratic.

  • Called it a “slave constitution”, as the British Governor-General retained ultimate authority.

Muslim League:

  • Supported separate electorates.

  • Saw it as a way to ensure Muslim political identity.

British View:

  • Considered it a compromise formula to gradually prepare India for self-rule.

5. Impact and Legacy

Positive Legacy Negative Impact
Established provincial autonomy, used by Congress to show administrative capability. Retained ultimate British control through the Governor-General and Viceroy.
Laid groundwork for distribution of powers, influencing India's Constitution. Separate electorates sowed seeds of religious division and Partition.
Introduced institutions like Federal Court and RBI. Denied universal adult suffrage and continued discriminatory voting practices.

 

6. Events After the Act

  • 1937 Elections were held under this Act; Congress formed governments in 7 out of 11 provinces.

  • Congress ministries resigned in 1939, protesting British unilateral decision to involve India in World War II.

  • This created a political vacuum, filled by the Muslim League, further strengthening the demand for Pakistan.

7. Influence on the Indian Constitution

The Government of India Act, 1935 served as a template for many aspects of the Constitution of independent India (1950):

Provision in 1935 Act Adopted in Indian Constitution
Federal structure ✔ Yes, modified
Provincial autonomy ✔ Yes
Three lists – Federal, Provincial, Concurrent ✔ Continued
Federal Court ✔ Became Supreme Court
Public Service Commissions ✔ Retained
Reserve Bank ✔ Continued (until nationalization in 1949)

 

🧠 Around 250 of the 395 articles in the original Indian Constitution were influenced by this Act.

Conclusion

The Government of India Act, 1935 was the last major constitutional reform before India gained independence. Though it failed to satisfy nationalist aspirations, it had a lasting impact on India’s political architecture. It marked a transition from complete colonial rule to limited self-governance, setting the stage for India’s eventual freedom.

While marred by imperial intent and communal divisions, it provided the institutional scaffolding for a democratic India. In many ways, it was a bridge between bondage and freedom—between foreign governance and the aspiration for a sovereign republic.