Q18.
Consider the following assertion : The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion ? 1, Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates. 2. Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger. 8. Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates. Select the answer using the code given below :
Answer
D
Explanation
The Government of India Act, 1919 retained and extended separate electorates, including to communities beyond Muslims. This institutionalised community-based political representation at a time when the British were attempting to manage growing nationalist mobilisation. The question's three statements together explain how this structure encouraged political alliances based on community. Hence all three.