History
History - British India Acts
History notes is helpful in UPSC exams, RRB NTPC exams, SSC CGL exams, Bank exams and more. This is part of UPSC syllabus etc.
Regulating Act of 1773
It has been intended to overhaul the management of the East India Company’s rule in India
It recognized the right of Parliament to regulate the affairs of the company in British India
Permitted the company to retain its territorial possessions in India
Supreme court was established in Calcutta
Governor of Bengal has been elevated to Governor-General of Bengal with executive council of 4 to assist
The Governors of Bombay and Madras came under the Governor-General of Bengal
Company’s directors were elected for a period of 5 years. One-fourth of the directors retire every year and could not be re-elected
Pitt’s India Act, 1784
It has been intended to correct the drawbacks of Regulating Act of 1773
British Government took control of the East India Company affairs in India
It provided for Privy Counsellors including Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer
The British Government was represented by the Board of Control and the company was represented by Directors in dual control
The company’s Governing council was reduced to 3 members
All civil and military officers disclose their property within 2 months of their joining
The Governor-General was given casting vote
Madras and Bombay Presidencies became subordinate to Bengal Presidency
Charter Act of 1793
It renewed the charter issued to the British East India Company
It allowed the East India Company’s trade monopoly for another 20 years
The salaries were charged to the Company
The company’s dividends were allowed to be raised to 10%
The Governor-General was given more powers. He was given authority over the governors of Madras and Bombay
The composition of the Board of Control changed as to have a President and two junior members that were not necessarily members of the Privy Council
The company has to pay 5 lakh British Pounds annually from the Indian revenue to the British Government after all expenses
Senior company officials has to take permission to leave India
It established that the company’s political functions were on behalf of the British government
Revenue administration and judiciary functions were separated
Charter Act of 1813
It was an Act of the Parliament of United Kingdom
It renewed the East India Company’s rule in India
East India company’s trade monopoly ended except for opium, tea trade and trade with China
Asserted Crown’s sovereignty over British India
Provide financial assistance for the improvement of literary and scientific knowledge
Provided permissions for missionaries to come to India
Strengthened power of provincial governments and courts in India over European British subjects
Charter Act of 1833 (Saint Helena Act 1833)
It was an Act of the Parliament of United Kingdom
It renewed the East India Company’s charter for 20 years
East India Company became purely administrative body. End of commercial activities of the company
Governors of Bombay and Madras were deprived of their legislative powers
The Governor-General and his executive council were given exclusive legislative powers for the whole of British India
It states that no native of India should be disabled from holding any place, office, or employment, by reason of his religion
Charter Act of 1853
Separated Governor-General council’s legislative and executive functions
Company’s charter was renewed and it’s rule was extended without any time limit
The number of directors reduced from 24 to 18. Six out of 18 were appointed by the crown
Provided for a separate Governor for the Presidency of Bengal
Government of India Act of 1858
Transfer of power to the Queen from East India Company
The Crown has the power to appoint a Governor-General and the Governors of the Presidencies
The Queen’s Principal Secretary of State got the powers of Company’s Directors. A council of 15 members assisted the Secretary of India
Indian Councils Act 1861
India’s executive council to function as a cabinet run on the portfolio system
Restored the legislative powers of Bombay and Madras Presidencies taken away by the Charter Act of 1833
The legislative council at Calcutta was given extensive authority to pass laws for British India as a whole
The Governor General’s power increased
Indian Councils Act 1892
Expanded the number of members in the central and provincial councils
Enlarged the functions of the Legislative Councils
Allowed councils to discuss each year’s annual financial statement
Councillors can ask questions with certain limits to the government on the matters of public interest
Indian Councils Act 1909 (Minto-Morley reforms)
Limited increase in the involvement of Indians in the governance of British India
Introduced elections to legislative councils
Admitted Indians to councils of the Secretary of State for India, the viceroy, and to the executive councils of Bombay and Madras states
Muslims were granted separate electorates
Central and provincial legislative councils were increased in size and their memberships expanded
Government of India Act of 1919
It was passed to expand participation of Indians in the government of India
Provided dual form of government for the major provinces
Provision for classification of provincial and central subjects
It introduced bicameralism and elections
Provided for the establishment of a Public Service Commission
Government of India Act of 1935
Provision of autonomy to the provinces of British India
Provision for the establishment of Federation of India
Bicameral federal legislature established
Federal court established at Delhi
The Indian council was established
Introduced direct elections