10. With which leader was Gandhi associated in negotiating the Poona Pact?
[SSC CGL (16 August 2017)]
A. Muhammad Ali Jinnah
B. Lord Irwin
C. Subhas Bose
D. B. R. Ambedkar
Answer: D. B. R. Ambedkar
Explanation: The dispute over Depressed Classes’ separate electorates led Gandhi and Ambedkar to the September 1932 settlement. Reserved seats were retained, but the Depressed Classes would vote within joint rather than separate electorates. The number and structure of reserved constituencies were central issues.
9. Select the chronological order of the Poona Pact, Quit India, Shimla Conference and Cabinet Mission.
[SSC CGL (9 August 2017)]
A. Quit India, Cabinet Mission, Poona Pact, Shimla
B. Shimla, Cabinet Mission, Quit India, Poona Pact
C. Poona Pact, Quit India, Shimla, Cabinet Mission
D. Cabinet Mission, Quit India, Poona Pact, Shimla
Answer: C. Poona Pact, Quit India, Shimla, Cabinet Mission
Explanation: The four events fall in 1932, 1942, 1945 and 1946 respectively, placing the Poona Pact first. Dandi was a deliberately public breach of law, unlike the earlier phase focused on withdrawing cooperation. The sequence also helps distinguish protest phases from later political settlements.
8. Regarding 1937 provincial elections, which are correct? 1. Franchise covered a small minority; 2. All Depressed Classes were barred; 3. Congress ministries formed in several provinces; 4. Muslim League won about 80% of Muslim seats.
[UPSC CDS-I General Knowledge (5 February 2017)]
A. 1, 3 and 4
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 2, 3 and 4
Answer: C. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Voting rights were restricted, Congress formed multiple provincial ministries, and the Muslim League did not win four-fifths of Muslim constituencies. The absolute ban claim is incorrect. The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced provincial autonomy, providing the setting for these elections.
7. Which statements about participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement are correct:
1. Business interests participated;
2. Peasants participated;
3. Some students and lawyers participated
[UPSC NDA-II General Ability (18 September 2016)]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Participation differed by class and locality, but peasants, some business groups and sections of professionals joined the 1930–34 campaign. Participation varied across regions and social groups, a limitation relevant when assessing the movement’s reach. The protest was suspended, revived, and finally ended before independence.
6. Who announced the Communal Award?
[WBCS Prelims 2016 (year confirmed; exact date not checked)]
A. Muhammad Ali Jinnah
B. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
C. Ramsay MacDonald
D. Lord Curzon
Answer: C. Ramsay MacDonald
Explanation: The British prime minister introduced the award in August 1932 to specify representation arrangements for various communities. Ramsay MacDonald issued the measure as British prime minister on 16 August 1932. Different communities contested the proposed electoral arrangements.
5. Where was there no Congress ministry after the 1937 provincial elections?
[WBCS Prelims 2016 (year confirmed; exact date not checked)]
A. Bihar
B. Madras
C. Orissa
D. Punjab
Answer: D. Punjab
Explanation: The Unionist Party rather than Congress dominated Punjab’s provincial ministry following the 1937 polls. Congress ultimately formed ministries in eight provinces, while Bengal, Punjab and Sind followed other arrangements. The elections were conducted under the colonial constitutional framework.
4. When was the Poona Pact signed?
[BSSC CGL (16 February 2015)]
A. 1919
B. 1932
C. 1937
D. 1935
Answer: B. 1932
Explanation: The 24 September 1932 pact reshaped reserved representation for the Depressed Classes after opposition to the Communal Award. The pact reflected a difficult compromise between Gandhi and Ambedkar over electoral safeguards and social unity. Its implications for political representation continued to attract debate.
3. How long did Congress provincial ministries broadly remain in office after the 1937 elections?
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims 2013 (year confirmed)]
A. About 28 months
B. About 29 months
C. About 30 months
D. About 31 months
Answer: A. About 28 months
Explanation: Congress ministries took office during 1937 and resigned in 1939 after Britain’s unilateral decision to involve India in World War II. Franchise remained limited, so these elections were not conducted on the principle of universal adult voting. Regional political coalitions made provincial outcomes far from uniform.
2. Why did Congress ministries resign in seven provinces in 1939?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2012 (year confirmed)]
A. Congress could not organize governments in four remaining provinces
B. The Congress left wing demanded resignation
C. Communal riots compelled immediate resignation
D. None of the above
Answer: D. None of the above
Explanation: Resignations followed the British declaration of India’s participation in World War II without consulting elected Indian representatives, a reason absent from the listed options. The ministers’ resignations in 1939 were linked to Britain’s unilateral wartime decision regarding India.
1. Gandhi began a fast on 20 September 1932 against what political measure?
[AWES PGT History 2012 (year confirmed)]
A. General British repression
B. Breach of Gandhi–Irwin Pact
C. Communal Award
D. Calcutta communal riots
Answer: C. Communal Award
Explanation: The fast targeted the separate-electorate arrangement for Depressed Classes in the Communal Award, preceding the Poona Pact. The award had offered separate electorates, while the compromise expanded reserved representation in provincial legislatures. The number and structure of reserved constituencies were central issues.
