PRELIMS REVISION QUIZ (DAY-10)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT, 1935

1⃣ Establishment of an All-India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states as units.

Division of powers in terms of federal list, provincial list and concurrent list.

Residuary powers were given to the Viceroy.

However, the federation never came into being as the princely states did not join it.

2⃣ Abolished provincial dyarchy and introduced 'provincial autonomy' in its place – the provinces were made autonomous units of administration in their defined spheres.

3⃣ Dyarchy at the Centre. However, this provision of the Act did not come into operation at all.

4⃣ Introduced bicameralism in six out of eleven provinces. Legislatures of Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Bihar, Assam and the United Provinces were made bicameral.

5⃣ Separate electorates for depressed classes, women and labourers (workers).

6⃣ Abolished the India Council established by GoI Act of 1858.

7⃣ Extended franchise. About 10% of Indian population got voting rights.

8⃣ Establishment of Reserve Bank of India.

9⃣ Establishment of Federal Public Service Commission, Provincial Public Service Commission and Joint Public Service Commission for two or more provinces.

🔟 Establishment of Federal Court, which was set up in 1937.

MEGALITHS

Megalithic culture is associated with massive stones or menhirs, most probably built as commemorative establishments for burial of the dead.

Types of Megalith structures

Menhir : Menhir is a single upright stone erected in prehistoric times; sometimes called a “standing stone”.

Dolmen : A Dolmen is a megalithic form created by placing a large capstone on two or more support stones creating a chamber below, sometimes closed in on one or more sides. Often used as a tomb or burial chamber.

Megaliths in India are dated before 3000 B.C., with recent findings dated back to 5000 B.C. in southern India.

Megaliths are found in almost all parts of southern India. Megaliths of Brahmagiri, which were excavated in 1975 helped establish the culture sequence in south Indian prehistory.

BURZAHOM

Burzahom archaeological site is located in the Kashmir Valley.

On the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It represents Neolithic Age.

Important findings

1⃣ Pit dwellings - The inhabitants of Burzahom used to live in underground pits.

2⃣ Dogs were buried along with their masters.

Fundamental duties are non-justiciable. The Constitution does not provide for their direct enforcement by the courts. Moreover, there is no legal sanction against their violation.

However, fundamental duties are enforceable by law.

The Parliament is free to enforce them by suitable legislation.

Fundamental Duties are confined to citizens only and do not extend to foreigners.