Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The reforms strengthened the political importance of the:
A. All-India Muslim League
B. East India Company
C. Cabinet Mission
D. Indian National Army
Correct Answer: A
Recognition of a central League demand increased the organization's legitimacy among Muslim political elites.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The Morley–Minto Reforms are a landmark in Pakistan Affairs mainly because they:
A. Introduced separate Muslim electorates
B. Created Pakistan in 1909
C. Abolished Muslim politics
D. Ended British rule
Correct Answer: A
The constitutional recognition of separate Muslim representation was a foundational development in Muslim political evolution.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The restricted electorate made the reforms primarily accessible to:
A. Elites and organized interests
B. Every adult resident
C. Only agricultural laborers
D. All women and men equally
Correct Answer: A
Voting qualifications favored property owners, institutions, commercial interests and local notables.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
Which phrase best reflects nationalist disappointment?
A. Too little power behind a larger representative appearance
B. Complete parliamentary democracy
C. Immediate transfer of sovereignty
D. Universal political equality
Correct Answer: A
Larger councils created visibility, but executive authority remained colonial.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The reforms were limited by the fact that legislative council membership did not automatically confer:
A. Executive office
B. The right to debate
C. The right to ask questions
D. A seat in a council
Correct Answer: A
Elected legislators did not form ministries or control executive departments.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
Which group was most likely to defend separate electorates as protection from majority domination?
A. Muslim political leaders
B. British Labour unions only
C. Princely armies
D. European universities
Correct Answer: A
Muslim leaders feared inadequate representation in mixed majority electorates.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
Which group was most likely to criticize separate electorates as damaging common Indian nationalism?
A. Congress nationalists
B. The Simla Deputation
C. Muslim League supporters of the demand
D. Colonial officials promoting the scheme
Correct Answer: A
Congress leaders commonly argued that communal electorates undermined political unity.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The reforms' communal provision was especially significant because it became a:
A. Precedent for later communal representation
B. Temporary municipal rule with no later effect
C. Judicial procedure only
D. Military recruitment system
Correct Answer: A
Later constitutional schemes expanded communal and special electorates.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The reforms failed to satisfy the demand for Swaraj because they:
A. Preserved colonial executive supremacy
B. Created a sovereign parliament
C. Transferred defence to elected ministers
D. Introduced adult franchise
Correct Answer: A
British officials retained decisive authority at every level.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
Why were advisory resolutions insufficient for self-government?
A. The executive was not legally bound to accept them
B. They automatically removed governors
C. They controlled the army
D. They amended the British constitution
Correct Answer: A
The government could reject or ignore resolutions without resigning.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
Which limitation allowed the colonial state to retain final legislative supremacy?
A. Veto and official control
B. Adult franchise
C. Direct elections
D. Cabinet responsibility
Correct Answer: A
Executive veto, official majorities and British parliamentary authority limited the councils.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The reforms have been described as offering:
A. Representation without responsibility
B. Independence without representation
C. Responsible government without elections
D. Sovereignty without councils
Correct Answer: A
They expanded representation while withholding control over the colonial executive.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
A long-term criticism of the reforms is that they:
A. Institutionalized communal politics
B. Ended communal categories
C. Established universal nationalism
D. Abolished religious representation
Correct Answer: A
Separate electorates encouraged electoral mobilization on religious lines.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
A major executive limitation was the absence of:
A. Ministerial responsibility to the legislature
B. A Viceroy
C. A Secretary of State
D. Provincial governors
Correct Answer: A
The appointed executive could not be dismissed by elected representatives.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
A major financial limitation was that the councils could discuss but not exercise decisive control over the:
A. Budget
B. Municipal tax only
C. Private university funds
D. Princely treasuries
Correct Answer: A
Budget debate was largely advisory, while the executive retained final financial authority.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
A major democratic limitation of the reforms was the:
A. Very narrow franchise
B. Absence of any officials
C. Complete elected control
D. Unlimited public participation
Correct Answer: A
Property, status and institutional qualifications excluded almost the entire population.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The non-official provincial majority was criticized as misleading because:
A. Many non-officials were nominated
B. All members were elected by adults
C. Governors lost all powers
D. The provinces became independent
Correct Answer: A
Nomination and executive influence meant that numerical non-official majorities did not equal democratic control.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The official majority at the centre was criticized because it:
A. Allowed the government to defeat opposition
B. Made officials accountable to voters
C. Created provincial autonomy
D. Ended nomination
Correct Answer: A
The official bloc ensured continued colonial control of central legislation.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
The Muslim League particularly welcomed the provision of:
A. Separate electorates
B. Abolition of Muslim seats
C. Joint electorates without safeguards
D. Universal adult franchise
Correct Answer: A
Separate Muslim representation fulfilled an important demand made since the Simla Deputation.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1909 - Constitutional Developments - Morley-Minto Reforms
Extremist nationalists considered the reforms:
A. Too limited to meet national aspirations
B. A complete victory
C. A socialist revolution
D. A military alliance
Correct Answer: A
Militant nationalists rejected the concessions as insufficient and manipulative.