2. Historical Background

• The British Parliament transferred the powers of the East India company to the British crown in ............  

–1858

• Which of the following Acts of the British Parliament stated that a member of the British Cabinet was appointed Secretary of State for India?  

–Government of India Act of 1858

• Which of the following Acts introduced federal features and provincial autonomy in the legislature and also made provisions for the distribution of legislative powers between the Centre and the provinces? 

–The Government of India Act, 1935

• The total membership of the Constituent Assembly was 389, of which ........... were representatives of princely states. 

–93

• The abolition of Dyarchy in the provinces was recommended by the ........... 

–Government of India Act of 1935

Interim Government (1946)

S. No       Members                                        Portfolios Held

1.               Pt. Jawaharalal Nehru              External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations

2.               Vallabhbhai Patel                        Home, Information and Broadcasting

3.               Dr Rajendra Prasad                   Food and Agriculture

4.               Dr John Mathai                           Industries and Supplies

5.               Jagijvan Ram                               Labour

6.               Sardar Baldev Singh                Defence

7.               CH Bhabha                                    Works, Mines and Power

8.              Liaquat Ali Khan                          Finance

9.              Abdur Rab Nishtar                     Posts and Air

10.             Asaf Ali                                          Railways and Transport

11.            C Rajagopalachari                      Education and Arts

12.            II Chundrigar                                Commerce

13.           Ghaznafar Ali Khan                    Health

14.          Joginder Nath Mandal              Law

First Cabinet of Free India (1947)

Members                                      Portfolios Held

Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru               Prime Minister, External Affairs and Commonwealth Relation; 

                                                         Scientific Research

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel      Home, Information and Broadcasting; States

Dr. Rajendra Prasad                Food and Agriculture

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad   Education

Dr. John Mathai                        Railways and Transport

RK Shanmugham Chetty     Finance

Dr. BR Ambedkar                     Law

Jagjivan Ram                            Labour

Sardar Baldev Singh              Defence

Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur          Health

C.H. Bhabha                              Commerce

Rafi Ahmed Kidwai                Communication

Dr. S P Mukherji                      Industries and Supplies

V.N. Gadhil                                Works, Mines and Power