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History2026
Consider the following assertion: The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?
  1. Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.
  2. Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.
  3. Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Explanation

The assertion that political alliances based on community arose from the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 is supported by all three statements. First, the retention and extension of separate electorates institutionalized divisions among communities, encouraging them to organize politically. Second, recognizing that separate electorates were seen as a mechanism to counteract the rising tide of Indian nationalism, communities felt compelled to form alliances to protect their interests. Lastly, the fact that deprived classes rallied around the privileges associated with separate electorates highlights the political mobilization around communal identities, thus fostering a landscape of political alliances deeply rooted in community identity. This analysis underscores the interplay between electoral reforms and the evolution of communal politics in colonial India, essential for understanding the dynamics that shaped the Indian independence movement.

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