State PCS
The 'Chamber of Princes' (Narendra Mandal), a consultative body of the rulers of the princely states with about 120 members, was created under the:
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Answer: Option A — Act of 1919
Detailed Solution
The Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal) was created as a result of the constitutional reforms enacted in 1919, and was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught on 8 February 1921 in Delhi.
About the Chamber of Princes:
- It was a consultative and advisory body, which gave the rulers of the princely states a forum to discuss matters of common interest with the British government.
- It had about 120 members: 108 rulers of the larger states were members in their own right, and 12 seats represented about 127 smaller states.
- The rulers of the smallest states were not represented.
- The Viceroy was the President of the Chamber.
- A Chancellor was elected from among the princes; the first Chancellor was Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner.
- Its meetings were held in the Diwan-i-Am of the Red Fort, and later in the Parliament House (Council House) in New Delhi.
Limitations:
- It had no executive power; it could only advise the government.
- Some important states, such as Hyderabad and Mysore, did not take part actively in its work.
- Its discussions were mostly about the princes' rights, privileges and relations with the British.
The Butler Committee (1927):
- It was set up to examine the relationship between the princely states and the British Crown.
- It said that paramountcy must remain supreme, and that the British could intervene in the states if necessary.
The Chamber and the federation:
In the 1930s, the princes discussed whether to join the proposed All-India Federation; most of them were unwilling.
The end of the Chamber:
- It was dissolved in 1947, when India became independent and the princely states joined India or Pakistan.
- Today, the building in which it met is part of Parliament House, and the room is used as the Library Hall.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Act of 1909 was the Morley-Minto reform.
- ✗The Act of 1935 proposed a federation.
- ✗The Act of 1947 transferred power.
Quick tip
Remember: Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal) = created under the Act of 1919, inaugurated 8 February 1921 by the Duke of Connaught; first Chancellor = Ganga Singh of Bikaner; about 120 members.
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British Acts & Policies — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of British Acts & Policies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the constitutional and administrative acts passed during British rule, from the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt's India Act of 1784 to the Charter Acts, the Indian Councils Acts, the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947, along with British economic, land revenue and education policies. Exam questions usually ask what a particular act introduced: the Indian Councils Act 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims, the Government of India Act 1919 brought dyarchy to the provinces, and the 1935 Act provided for a federation and provincial autonomy. Land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari and Mahalwari) and education milestones such as Wood's Despatch (1854) are also tested. Practise the British acts and policies questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.