What historical act served as a precursor to India's Constitution and defined its federal structure?

The Government of India Act, 1935 is recognized as a pivotal piece of legislation that laid the groundwork for India's Constitution and its federal structure. This Act was significant in several ways, particularly because it introduced various elements that were incorporated into the Constitution adopted in 1950.

One of the core contributions of the Government of India Act, 1935 was its establishment of a federal system of governance. It provided for a division of powers between the central government and the states, something that is a fundamental aspect of the Constitution of India. The Act also introduced a system of provincial autonomy, allowing provinces to have more control over their own affairs, which set a precedent for the powers that states would later possess in the constitution.

Additionally, it delineated the framework for the legislative bodies and governance structure that influenced the framing of the Constitution. The principles of representative government and a parliamentary system were also derived from the provisions of this Act, ensuring that future governance in India would have a democratic basis.

In contrast, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 primarily focused on the transfer of power from British rule to independent India and Pakistan, rather than laying foundational governance structures. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and Government of India Act, 1919 provided earlier