| Date | November 2016 | Marks available | 20 | Reference code | 16N.3op3.HL.TZ0.5 |
| Level | Higher level only | Paper | Paper 3 (History of Asia and Oceania) | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | To what extent | Question number | 5 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
“The Government of India Act 1858 was a major influence on the emergence of a nationalist movement in India.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Markscheme
Candidates will offer an opinion on the extent to which the Government of India Act 1858 fostered the emergence of a nationalist movement. It is likely that candidates may challenge this assumption and explain that other factors were vital to its emergence.
Indicative content
- The Government of India Act 1858 abolished the British East India Company and transferred its functions to the British Crown; however, in reality the nature of governance in India changed little.
- Indians were involved in the government to an extent but the Viceroy held extensive powers and those Indians that were involved did not represent the majority of the Indian people. The British were prepared to appease educated Indians by allowing them to represent themselves in the legislative councils rather than becoming elected representatives.
- This lack of a political voice was the driving force in the emergence of the Indian National Congress (INC) 1885. A founding aim of the INC was to achieve more influence for educated Indians in government.
- Candidates may challenge the assumption in the question and suggest that other developments in this time period had a greater influence on the emergence of a nationalist movement. These could include the partition of Bengal 1905, the Morley-Minto reforms 1909, the establishment of the All India Muslim League in 1906 and the creation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
- There may also be some examination of economic exploitation by the British and how it contributed to the emergence of Indian nationalism.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
[20 marks]
