By which of the following Acts, the system of 'Chamber of Princes' with 120 members was created?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — A, the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms). It provided for the Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal), a consultative/advisory body of the rulers of the princely states, which was formally inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught in 1921. It had 120 members — rulers of the larger states sitting in their own right together with elected representatives of the smaller states — and was presided over by the Viceroy.

Why the other options are wrong — (b) The Charter Act of 1853 renewed the East India Company's charter, added a legislative wing to the Governor-General's Council and opened the civil service to open competition — it had nothing to do with the princely states.  (c) The Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) expanded the legislative councils and introduced separate electorates for Muslims; it did not create the Chamber of Princes.  (d) The Charter Act of 1793 merely renewed the Company's charter and trade monopoly for another 20 years — it predates any institution of the princes by well over a century.

Concept: The Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal) was an advisory assembly of the rulers of India's princely states, created under the Government of India Act, 1919 and inaugurated in 1921. It gave the princes a forum to voice their concerns to the Crown but had no legislative or executive power over the states — it was purely consultative and met once a year under the Viceroy.

State PCS 2023 Q67 — History PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q67 — History PYQ with Answer