Question

Which of the following historical events directly led to the adoption of the Constitution of India?

• A. Quit India Movement (1942)
• B. Government of India Act, 1935
• C. Indian Independence Act, 1947
• D. Simon Commission Report, 1928

Hint:

The Indian Independence Act of 1947 not only marked the end of British rule but also provided the legal basis for the creation of India’s new Constitution.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The adoption of the Constitution of India was a pivotal moment in the history of the country, marking the end of British rule and the birth of an independent democratic nation. However, this momentous event was the culmination of various political movements, legislative actions, and constitutional reforms that unfolded over several decades. Let’s analyze the key events leading up to the adoption of the Constitution of India.

1. Quit India Movement (1942)

The Quit India Movement of 1942 was launched by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, demanding an immediate end to British colonial rule in India. It was a mass civil disobedience movement that sought to force the British government to leave India. While the movement was one of the most significant episodes in India’s struggle for independence, it did not directly lead to the drafting of the Constitution. The movement intensified the struggle for independence and set the stage for India’s future political developments, but it did not have an immediate effect on constitutional reforms.

2. Government of India Act, 1935

The Government of India Act, 1935 was a British legislative effort to provide a limited form of self-government to India. It was the longest and most detailed Act passed by the British Parliament and provided for a federal system, provincial autonomy, and the establishment of a federal court. While it was an important step toward self-rule, the Act fell short of granting full independence and establishing a constitutional framework for an independent India. Many provisions of the Government of India Act were eventually incorporated into the Indian Constitution, but the Act itself did not directly lead to its adoption. It was more of an interim measure before India gained full independence.

3. Indian Independence Act, 1947

The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was the most direct and significant event that led to the adoption of the Constitution of India. This Act, passed by the British Parliament, granted India independence by dividing the country into two dominions—India and Pakistan. It provided for the establishment of a Constituent Assembly, a body tasked with drafting the Constitution for the new nation of India. The Act allowed the Constituent Assembly to frame a Constitution for India, which was to come into effect on the date of independence. The provisions of this Act created the legal and constitutional framework necessary for India to have its own constitution, and thus, it is the event that directly led to the formation and adoption of the Indian Constitution.

4. Simon Commission Report, 1928

The Simon Commission was established by the British government in 1927 to review the progress of constitutional reforms in India. It became infamous because it did not include any Indian members, leading to widespread protests and the boycott of the Commission by Indian leaders. While the Simon Commission Report called for constitutional reforms, it did not directly lead to the creation of the Indian Constitution. The protests against the Simon Commission highlighted the desire for more Indian representation in the process of constitutional change, and the subsequent discussions laid the foundation for the Round Table Conferences and the eventual Government of India Act, 1935. However, the Simon Commission itself was not a direct precursor to the drafting of India’s Constitution.

Therefore, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 is the correct answer, as it laid the legal groundwork for the creation of the Constituent Assembly and the drafting of the Indian Constitution, making it the most direct event leading to the Constitution's adoption.