Q. The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to
(a) exercise more and direct political and administrative control over the princely states
(b) involve the princes actively in the administration of the colony
(c) finally effect the complete political and administrative take-over of all the princely states by the British
(d) use the princes to counter-balance the antiimperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders
Ans: (d) use the princes to counter-balance the antiimperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders
Explanation: The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to (d) use the princes to counter-balance the anti-imperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders.
The inclusion of the princely states in the Federal Union was part of the British strategy to divide and weaken the nationalist movement in India. By involving the princes actively in the administration and granting them certain privileges, the British hoped to gain their loyalty and support. They saw the princes as a potential counterbalance to the anti-imperialist doctrines propagated by the nationalist leaders.
However, it’s important to note that the actual outcome and motivations behind British policies were complex, and they often pursued multiple objectives simultaneously. The India Act of 1935 had various provisions that aimed to consolidate British control and maintain their dominance in India, and the inclusion of princely states was just one aspect of that broader strategy.