Topic-Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues
3) The formation of the government under the Congress was a unique experiment in India’s freedom struggle. Discuss.(250 words)
India’s Struggle for independence by Bipin Chandra Pal (TWENTY-EIGHT MONTHS OF CONGRESS RULE)
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail the Congress rule during British India and bring out how it was a unique experiment in India’s freedom struggle.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the GOI act, 1935 and the formation of ministries by the Congress. E.g After a few months’ tussle with the Government, the Congress Working Committee decided to accept office under the Act of 1935. During July, it formed Ministries in six provinces: Madras, Bombay, Central Provinces, Orissa, Bihar and U.P. Later, Congress Ministries were also formed in the North-West Frontier Province and Assam.
Body-
Discuss about the main aspects of the Congress rule and how it was a unique experiment. E.g
- To guide and coordinate their activities and to ensure that the British hopes of the provincialization of the Congress did not materialize, a central control board known as the Parliamentary Sub-Committee was formed.
- A party which was committed to liquidate British rule took charge of administration under a constitution which was framed by the British and which yielded only partial state power to the Indians; this power could moreover be taken away from the Indians whenever the imperial power so desired.
- The Congress was now to function both as a government in the provinces and as the opposition vis-a-vis the Central Government where effective state power lay.
- It was to bring about social reforms through the legislature and administration in the provinces and at the same time carry on the struggle for independence and prepare the people for the next phase of mass struggle.
- Thus the Congress had to implement its strategy of Struggle-Truce-Struggle (S-T-S’) in a historically unique situation etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.