Jawaharlal Nehru famously described which of the following British constitutional measures as a “Charter of Slavery” for India?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on modern Indian political history and the nationalist response to British constitutional reforms. The Government of India Act, 1935 was the most comprehensive constitutional framework introduced by the British before independence. While it provided certain provincial autonomies, many national leaders criticised it for tightening imperial control. Jawaharlal Nehru’s description of it as a “Charter of Slavery” reflects this critical view.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase “Charter of Slavery” was used by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• We are asked which British Act or measure he described with this phrase.
• Options: Government of India Act, 1935; Vernacular Press Act; Government of India Act, 1919; Regulating Act, 1773.
• We assume standard nationalist interpretations used in exam texts.

Concept / Approach:
The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced provincial autonomy, dyarchy at the centre, and a complex federal structure that in practice kept key powers in British hands. Many Congress leaders rejected it as fundamentally undemocratic and imperialist. Jawaharlal Nehru called it a “Charter of Slavery” because, despite its facade of reforms, it preserved strong authoritarian control over India. The other acts in the options were criticised for different reasons but are not the ones associated with this particular phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that Nehru used very strong language for a late colonial constitutional measure. Step 2: Recall that the Government of India Act, 1935 was the last major constitutional framework before independence. Step 3: Remember that Congress officially rejected this Act and called it undemocratic, with Nehru labelling it a “Charter of Slavery.” Step 4: Compare this with earlier measures like the Government of India Act, 1919 or the Vernacular Press Act, which had other critiques but not this exact phrase from Nehru. Step 5: Select Government of India Act, 1935 as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard exam-oriented histories provide a short note on Government of India Act, 1935 and usually quote Nehru's phrase “Charter of Slavery” to show the depth of opposition from the Congress. The Vernacular Press Act was condemned for censorship, and the Government of India Act, 1919 was criticised for limited reforms and dyarchy, but they are not generally labelled with this specific phrase by Nehru. The Regulating Act, 1773 is much earlier and not described in such language in nationalist speeches. This confirms the identification.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b (Vernacular Press Act) was attacked by many leaders, especially for gagging the Indian-language press, but it is not commonly linked to Nehru calling it a “Charter of Slavery.” Option c (Government of India Act, 1919) was criticised and eventually replaced, yet the more dramatic phrase is reserved for the 1935 Act. Option d (Regulating Act, 1773) relates to early East India Company administration and does not appear in Nehru's twentieth-century political rhetoric in this way.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the 1919 and 1935 Acts because both are Government of India Acts that introduced limited reforms. Under exam stress they may choose 1919 by mistake. To avoid this, remember that 1919 is associated with dyarchy in provinces and the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms, whereas 1935 is a larger, more complex framework that Nehru denounced very sharply as the “Charter of Slavery.” Keeping a simple timeline of major Acts also helps in avoiding such errors.

Final Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru described the Government of India Act, 1935 as a “Charter of Slavery.”