[Mission 2022] QUIZ – 2021: INSIGHTS STATIC , 11 September 2021 – History

Solution: c)

In a bid to rectify the defects of the Regulating Act of 1773, the British Parliament passed the Amending Act of 1781, also known as the Act of Settlement. The next important act was the Pitt’s India Act of 1784.

Features of the Act:

1. It distinguished between the commercial and political functions of the Company.
2. It allowed the Court of Directors to manage the commercial affairs but created a new body called Board of Control to manage the political affairs. Thus, it established a system of double government.
3. It empowered the Board of Control to supervise and direct all operations of the civil and military government or revenues of the British possessions in India.

Thus, the act was significant for two reasons: first, the Company’s territories in India were for the first time called the ‘British possessions in India’; and second, the British Government was given the supreme control over Company’s affairs and its administration in India.

Solution: a)

In May and June 1875, peasants of Maharashtra in some parts of Pune and Ahmednagar districts revolted against increasing agrarian distress. The Deccan Riots of 1875 targeted conditions of debt peonage (kamiuti) to moneylenders. The rioters’ specific purpose was to obtain and destroy the bonds, decrees, and other documents in the possession of the moneylenders.

The movement also got support from the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha co-founded by M G Ranade.

It took several months for the police to restore order in the countryside. The Bombay government initially dismissed the uprising as trivial. However, the Government of India pressurised Bombay to enquire into the matter.

Accordingly, the Deccan Riots Commission was set up which presented a report to the British Parliament in 1878. In 1879, the Agriculturists Relief Act was passed which ensured that the farmers could not be arrested and imprisoned if they were unable to pay their debts.

Solution: a)

Lord Ripon wanted to remove two kinds of law that had been prevalent in India. According to the system of law, a European could be tried only by a European Judge or a European Magistrate.

The disqualification was unjust and it was sought to cast a needless discredit and dishonour upon the Indian-born members of the judiciary.

C.P. Ilbert, Law Member, introduced a bill in 1883 to abolish this discrimination in judiciary. But Europeans opposed this Bill strongly. They even raised a fund of one lakh fifty thousand rupees and established an organisation called the Defence Association.

They also suggested that it was better to end the English rule in India than to allow the English to be subjected to the Indian Judges and Magistrates. The press in England joined the issue. Hence, Ripon amended the bill to satisfy the English in India and England.

Solution: d)

The main objective was to correct the Khilafat wrong, to save the ottoman empire and save the holy places of Muslims. Through this movement they also expressed their anti-British feelings.

Solution: b)

Gandhi’s arrest came on May 4, 1930 when he had announced that he would lead a raid on Dharasana Salt Works on the west coast. Gandhi’s arrest was followed by massive protests in Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta and in Sholapur, where the response was the most fierce. After Gandhi’s arrest, the CWC sanctioned:

• non-payment of revenue in ryotwari areas;
• no-chowkidara-tax campaign in zamindari areas; and
• violation of forest laws in the Central Provinces.