The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to
- Aexercise more and direct political and administrative control over the princely states
- Binvolve the princes actively in the administration of the colony
- Cfinally effect the complete political and administrative take-over of all the princely states by the British
- Duse the princes to counter-balance the anti-imperialist doctrines of the nationalist leadersCorrect
Explanation
The correct option is D because the British viewed the princely states as conservative allies who were loyal to the Crown. By proposing a Federal Union under the Government of India Act 1935, the British aimed to use the appointees of the princes in the federal legislature to dilute the influence of the Indian National Congress and other nationalist forces. The primary goal was to create a constitutional structure where the traditional, pro-British elements could act as a steadying brake against the rising demand for complete independence and democratic reforms led by nationalist leaders.
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