Polity
History
Timeline
· 1600: British came- EIC exclusive right of trading in India under Charter granted by Elizabeth I
· 1765: Diwani right: Bihar, Bengal and Orissa – Battle of Buxar: Territorial Power
· 1858: sepoy mutiny – British Crown direct Responsibility till 15 Aug, 1947
· 1946: Constitutent Assembly
· 26th Jan,1950: Constitution Came
Company Rule (1773-1858)
Regulating Act 1773
· British Govt. to control & Regulate EIC
· Central Administration
· Governor of Bengal as Governor General of Bengal: Warren Hastings
· Executive Council: 4 Member (Assist GoG Bengal)
· Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774): 1 Judge and 3 other Judges
· Private Trade: Ban
· Court Of Director
Amending Act 1781
· Act of Settlement
· Jurisdiction: exempted the GoG and Council & Servants, Revenue Matters
· Personal Law of Defendants
Pitt’s India Act 1784
· Commercial: Court of Directors (Empower)
· Political: Board of Control
· Double Govt.
· British Possessions in India
Act of 1786
· Cornwallis: GoG Bengal
· Demand: Overriding power, Commander-in-chief
Charter Act 1793
· Extended trade monopoly to EIC (20 Years)
· Staff paid out of Indian Revenue
Charter Act 1813 (Most IMP Act)
· Abolished the trade monopoly of EIC In India, Cont. Monopoly in Tea and Trade with China.
· Allowed Christian Missionaries
· Western Edu.
· Imposes Taxes on Persons.
Charter Act 1833
· GoG of Bengal- GoG of India: William Bentick (1st).
· EIC: Became purely Administrative Body
· Competition Exam (neglected by Court of Directors)
Charter Act 1853
· 1st Time Separated: Legislative and Executive Fun. Of GoG Councils. 6 members: Legislative Council – Indian Legislative Council (Mini – Parliament)
· Open competition System: Civil Servants
· Macaulay Committee
· Local Representation: Indian Legislative Council – 6 members (Madras, Bombay, Bengal, Agra)
The Crown Rule (1858 – 1947)
GoI Act 1858
· Act of Good Govt.
· EIC to British Crown
· GoG of India – Viceroy: Canning
· Ended Double Govt. (Pitt’s India Act 1784)
· New Office: Secretary of State:15member Council (advisory body)
Indian Council Act 1861
· Viceroy nominate members – Indians
· Decentralization (Charter Act 1773)
· New Legislative Council- Punjab, Bengal and NW Provinces
· Portfolio System
· Ordinance: Viceroy – 6 months life
Indian Council Act 1892
· Increased the Seat
· Power to discuss budget and addressing questions
Indian Council Act 1909 [Minto – Father of Communal Electorate]
· Morley (Secretary) Minto (Viceroy) Reforms
· Increased size both.
· Supplementary ques, Resolutions on Budgets.
· Satyendra Prasad Sinha: Law Member
· Separate electorate to Muslims
· Representation to univ., Zamindars, etc
GoI Act 1919
·
GoI Act 1935
Independence Act 1947
Source: Indian Polity By Laxmikanth