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The East India Company was a British joint-stock company that was granted
charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1600. Over time, the Company became the
dominant power in India, ruling over vast territories and millions of people.
The Company's administration was marked by a number of significant events
and reforms. In 1757, the Company's victory over the Nawab of Bengal at the
Battle of Plassey established its rule in India. From that point on, the
Company's administration became more centralized and bureaucratic. The
Regulating Act of 1773 was a major reform that attempted to bring some
order to the Company's affairs. The Act created a Governor-General for
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Bengal and established a Supreme Court in Calcutta to enforce British law.

The Charter Acts from 1773 to 1853 were a series of legislative measures
that regulated the Company's affairs and expanded its powers. These Acts
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included provisions for the establishment of a Board of Control to oversee

the Company's activities and the renewal of the Company's charter every 20
years. The Charter Act of 1833 was a significant reform that abolished the
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Company's trade monopoly and gave it exclusive political control over India.
The revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence, was
a major event that marked the end of the East India Company's rule in India.
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The causes of the revolt were many, including grievances among Indian
soldiers over pay and working conditions, resentment among Indian rulers
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over British interference in their affairs, and religious tensions between

Hindus and Muslims. The consequences of the revolt were far-reaching. The
British government issued a Queen's Proclamation in 1858, which promised
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religious tolerance and respect for Indian customs and traditions. The Act for
the Better Government of India, also passed in 1858, abolished the East India
Company's political power and transferred it to the British government. The
Indian Councils Act of 1861 was another major reform that created a
legislative council in India with limited powers to advise the Viceroy. Overall,
the East India Company's administration was marked by a series of
significant events and reforms, culminating in the end of the Company's rule
in India and the transfer of power to the British government. The legacy of
the Company's rule is complex and controversial, with some viewing it as a
period of exploitation and oppression, while others see it as a time of
economic and cultural development.
∆ East India Company
● The East India Company (EIC) was a British joint-stock company that operated from
1600 until 1858. The company was initially founded to trade with the East Indies, but it
eventually expanded its operations to include trade with China and other parts of Asia.
● Over time, the EIC became a major force in world trade and politics. It played a
significant role in the colonization of India, and it eventually came to control large
parts of the country. The company also played a key role in the opium trade, which led
to the Opium Wars between China and the British Empire.
● In addition to its commercial activities, the EIC had significant political power.It
maintained its own military force, which it used to protect its trading interests and
enforce its policies. The company also had the power to make treaties and engage in
diplomacy with foreign governments.
● However, the EIC's monopoly on trade with India and other parts of Asia was
eventually challenged by other European powers, and its political power was eroded
by the British government. In 1858, following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British
government took direct control of India and the EIC was dissolved.

∆ Its administration (1757 – 1857)

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● The administration of the East India Company in India from 1757 to 1857 is often
referred to as the British Raj. During this period, the EIC gradually gained control of
large parts of India through military conquest and political maneuvering.
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● The EIC initially began as a trading company, but it eventually became involved in the
administration of the territories it controlled. The company established a system of
government that was designed to promote British interests and maintain control over
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the Indian population. The company's officials were primarily concerned with
maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and ensuring the profitability of the
company's operations.
● The EIC also established a system of land tenure that gave it control over the use of
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land in the areas it controlled. This system was based on the concept of "zamindari," in
which local landowners were given the right to collect taxes from the people living on
their land in exchange for paying a fixed amount to the EIC.
● The EIC's administration of India was not without controversy. The company's policies
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often led to economic hardship for the Indian population, and its officials were
accused of corruption and abuse of power. The company also played a key role in the
opium trade, which had devastating effects on the Chinese population.
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● In 1857, the Indian Rebellion broke out, which was fueled in part by anger at the EIC's
policies and abuses. The rebellion ultimately led to the dissolution of the EIC and the
transfer of power to the British government.
∆ Regulating Act of 1773
The regulations act 1773 was a law passed by the British parliament to regulate the
administration of the east india company in india. The Act was introduced by British prime
minister Lord North in response to the increasing corruption and mismanagement within the
company, which had led to number of scandals and financial crises. Some main provisions of
the regulations act 1773

Key Provisions of the Act

1. Establishment of a Board of Control: The Act created a new governing body called the
Board of Control, consisting of six members appointed by the British Crown. This board
was established to oversee and regulate the political and administrative affairs of the
East India Company in India.
2. Governor-General of Bengal: The office of the Governor of Bengal was redesignated as
the Office of the Governor of the Presidency of Fort William, also known as
Governor-General of Bengal. Lord Warren Hastings was the first person to hold this
designation.
3. Supreme Court in Calcutta: The Act established a Supreme Court in Calcutta, composed
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of a Chief Justice and three judges. The Supreme Court had jurisdiction over civil and
criminal matters, aiming to bring more impartial justice to British subjects in India.
4. Control over the Presidencies: The Act aimed to bring the Madras and Bombay
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Presidencies under the authority of the Governor-General in Bengal. The intention was
to centralize power and establish better coordination between the Company's
territories.
5. Reforms to curb corruptions: This act brought prohibition on the servants of the
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company from engaging in any private trade or accepting bribes and gift from the local
people.
Defects in the Regulating Act 1773
● Absence of a veto authority for the Governor-General
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● It didn’t address complaints of Indian customers who’d been giving the corporation
money
● It had no effect on the corporation’s officials’ corruption
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● The Supreme Court’s authority was unclear

● The legislative oversight of the company’s operations was ineffectual since there was a
total absence of a system in place to examine the reports supplied by the
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Governor-General in Cabinet

The Regulating Act of 1773 had a significant impact on the governance of the East India
Company and on the relationship between the Company and the British government. However,
it did not entirely solve the problems of corruption and mismanagement in
India, and further reforms were needed in the following years.
∆ The Pitt's India Act of 1784
The Pitt’s India Act, 1784 also called the East India Company Act, 1784 was passed by the
British Parliament to correct the defects of the Regulating Act of 1773. This act resulted in dual
control of British possessions in India by the British government and the Company with the
final authority resting with the government. . The act was named after William Pitt the
Younger, who was the British Prime Minister at the time. Here are some key points of the act:
Key Provisions of the Act
1. Dual Control: The Act established a Board of Control, consisting of six members of the
British government. This board was given the authority to supervise and direct the
company's affairs in India. It was responsible for monitoring the company's activities
and ensuring that its actions aligned with the interests of the British government.
● The Board of Control consisted of six members
● The chancellor of exchequer
● A secretary of state
● Four members of the privy council appointed by the crown.
2. Separate Commercial and Political Functions: The Act sought to separate the
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company's commercial activities from its political and administrative functions. The
company retained its monopoly on trade with India, but the Board of Control had the
power to oversee political and administrative matters.
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3. Governor-General: The Governor-General’s council’s strength was reduced to three

members. One of the three would be the Commander-in-Chief of the British Crown’s
army in India.
4. Presidencies:- The Presidencies of Madras and Bombay became subordinate to the
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Bengal Presidency. In effect, Calcutta became the capital of the British possessions in
India.
5. Centralization of Power:- The act mandated that all civil and military officers disclose
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their property in India and Britain within two months of their joining.It sought to bring
about greater accountability and prevent abuses of power that had occurred in the
past.
Drawbacks of the Act
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The act was deemed a failure because there was no clarity on the boundaries between the
company’s powers and the government’s authority.
● The Governor-General had to serve two masters i.e. East India Company and the British
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Crown
● There were no clear boundaries between the responsibilities of the Board of Control
and the Court of Directors of the company. The Governor-General had to take on the
spot decisions exercising his discretion

Overall, the Pitta India Act of 1784 marked a significant shift in the governance of British India,
with greater oversight from the British Crown and the establishment of new institutions to
manage the country's affairs.
∆ The Charter Act of 1813
The Charter Act of 1813 was an important piece of legislation enacted by the
Parliament of the United Kingdom The Charter Act of 1813 was a legislative act
passed by the British Parliament in 1813, which renewed the charter of the British
East India Company for another 20 years. This act had a significant impact on the
governance of India, as it marked the beginning of British government intervention
in the affairs of the East India Company.
Key Provisions
1. End of the Company's Monopoly: The act opened up India's trade to
competition by allowing other British subjects to trade with India. The East
India Company's monopoly on trade was effectively ended, although it still
retained a privileged position.
2. Christian Missionaries: This act was to grant permission to the missionaries
to come to India and engage in religious proselytization. The missionaries
were successful in getting the appointment of a Bishop for British India with
his headquarters at Calcutta in the provisions of the Act.
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3. Educational Reforms: The Charter Act of 1813 also emphasized the

importance of education in India. It directed the East India Company to set
aside a sum of one lakh rupees (100,000 rupees) for the promotion of
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education and the study of Indian languages, literature, and sciences.

4. Financial Accountability: The act imposed stricter financial controls on the
East India Company. It required the Company to present detailed accounts
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of its revenue, expenditure, and commercial activities to the British

government for scrutiny and approval. The company’s dividend was fixed at
10.5%
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5. Jurisdictional Taxation.:- It empowered the Local Governments in India to

impose taxes on persons and to punish those who did not pay them.
Drawbacks of the Act
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The Charter act of 1813 ended the monopoly of the East India Company in India,
however the company's monopoly in trade with China and trade in tea with India
was kept intact. Thus, trade with India for all commodities except Tea was thrown
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open to all British subjects.

Thus,The Charter Act of 1813 was a significant turning point in the history of British
India,as it marked the beginning of the British government's involvement in the
governance of India.
∆ The Charter Act of 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 was an important piece of legislation in the history of British India. It
was passed by the British Parliament on August 4, 1833 and received royal assent on
September 28, 1833. The Charter Act of 1833 made several significant changes to the
governance of British India.
Key Provisions
1. Office of Governor General: The Governor-General of Bengal became the
Governor-General of India with exclusive legislative powers. Lord William Bentinck
became the first Governor-General of India This transition resulted in the deprivation
of legislative powers from the presidencies of Bombay and Madras. The
Governor-General of India was given civil and military powers and the Government of
India was created for the first time having the authority over the entire territorial area
possessed by the British in India.
2. Governor General Council: The members of the Governor General’s council were
reduced by the Pitt’s India act 1784 was again increased to 4 in Charter act 1833 but
the fourth member had very limited powers, there was not entitled to act as a member
of the council except for legislative purposes. and the Governor General Council had
the authority to amend, repeal or alter any law in the entire length and breadth of
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India for any British, Foreigner or Indian.

3. Administrative Body (EIC):The activities of East India Company as a commercial body
came to an end and company purely became an administrative body. The company's
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territories in India were to be held by it "in trust for his Majesty, his heirs and
successors''.
4. Ended Slavery: The act provided for the mitigation of slavery existing in India at that
time.The British Parliament abolished slavery in Britain and all its possessions in 1833.
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5. Law Commision: The Indian Law Commission was established in 1833 and Lord
Macaulay was made its first chairman and It aimed to codify all kinds of law in India
also the Act provided that the laws made in India were supposed to be laid in British
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Parliament.
6. Attempt to Open Civil Services: This was the first act that gave permission for Indians
to have a share in the country’s administration. It stated that merit should be the basis
of employment to government service and not birth, colour, religion or race which was
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introduced on the recommendations of Lord Macaulay's Report in 1854.

Drawback Of Act
There were numerous defects of the 1833 Charter Act such as all the powers being snatched
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from the Governor-General of Madras and Bombay and given to the Governor-General of
Bengal.
Overall, the Charter Act of 1833 was an important step in the gradual transfer of power
from the East India Company to the British government. It laid the groundwork for
further reforms in the years that followed, ultimately leading to India's independence in
1947.
∆ The Charter Act of 1853
The Charter Act of 1853 was an important piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament
that further reformed the governance of British India. The Act was introduced by Lord
Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India, and was passed on August 13, 1853.
Key Provisions
1. Reduction in the number of Board of Directors:- The number of Board of Directors was
reduced from 24 to 18 out of which 6 members should be covered under the Crown
rule and that all of them be crown-nominated.
2. Power for bringing a New Presidency :-It was with the Charter Act 1853 that the
concept of establishing different presidencies came into being. The Act authorized the
Court of Directors to appoint a Lieutenant Governor (LG) for the state of Punjab. So, it
was in 1859, that a new presidency was initiated.
3. Indian Civil Services :- Macaulay Committee of 1854 gave India her first civil
services.This act removed the right of patronage to appointments in civil service held
by the Court of Directors.The appointment was to be done only by open competition
based on merit and was open to all. The report recommended that only the ‘fittest’ be
selected to the ICS. The charter act of 1833 also provided the Haileybury college of
London should make quota to admit the future civil servants
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4. Expansion of Governor-General Council :- It separated, for the first time, the legislative
and executive functions of the Governor- General’s council. The Legislative Council
which had six members now had 12 members. The Law member (fourth member)
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became a full member with the right to vote and Governor-General could nominate a
vice president to the council also Governor-General’s assent was required for all
legislative proposals and local representation was also introduced into the legislative
council in the form of four members from the local governments of Bengal, Bombay,
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Madras and North Western Provinces.

5. Separate Governor:- The Act provided for the appointment of a separate governor for
the Bengal Presidency. It maintained that the governor of Bengal should be different
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from the Governor-General who was to head administration of the whole of India.
Defects Of 1853 Charter Act
The defects of the Charter Act 1853 lie in the non-renewal of the timeline to 20 years that
served as the opportunity for the Home Government to substitute the East India Company. This
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process accelerated the actions of “mutiny.” Another defect that has been accredited to the
Charter Act 1853 was to debar the Indians from the legislative councils.
Overall, the charter act of 1853 served as the foundation of the modern parliamentary form of
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government and extended the company’s rule for an indefinite period, unlike the other charter
acts.
∆ The revolt of 1857 : Its origin and causes:
•The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of
Independence, was a widespread uprising against British colonial rule in India. It began as a
mutiny of Indian soldiers in the British East India Company's army and soon spread to other
parts of India, involving a diverse range of people from different regions, class, and religions.
Here are some of the causes of the revolt of 1857:
1. Economic Exploitation: The British East India Company, which held substantial control
over India before the revolt, imposed heavy taxes, introduced the Zamindari system
(land revenue system), and introduced new trade policies that adversely affected
Indian artisans, merchants, and farmers. The economic exploitation by the British
created widespread resentment among Indians.
2. Political Causes: British colonial rule in India had introduced various policies and
reforms that angered Indian rulers, aristocrats, and sepoys (Indian soldiers serving in
the British army). The annexation of Indian princely states, the Doctrine of Lapse, and
the abolishment of titles and pensions led to discontent among the ruling class, who
saw their power and privileges being eroded.
3. Social and Religious Factors:- The British had introduced several social and cultural
reforms that were seen as a threat to Indian traditions and customs. The introduction
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of the Widow Remarriage Act, the abolition of sati (the practice of widows
self-immolating on their husband's funeral pyres), and the undermining of traditional
religious and cultural practices caused resentment among the Indian population.
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4. Military Grievances: One of the primary triggers of the revolt was the introduction of
the new Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle by the British East India Company. The cartridges for
these rifles were rumored to be greased with animal fat, which offended both Hindu
and Muslim sepoys (Indian soldiers). This led to religious tensions and discontent
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among the sepoys, who felt that their religious beliefs were being violated.
5. Influence of Indian Leaders and Nationalism: The revolt was also influenced by the
ideas of Indian leaders and the nascent nationalist sentiment. Leaders like Rani
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Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Bahadur Shah II, Tantia Tope, and Mangal Pandey played
significant roles in mobilizing people against British rule. The uprising had elements of
an early nationalist movement seeking to restore Indian sovereignty and resist colonial
dominance.
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•Overall, the Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a complex and multifaceted event, which reflected a
range of political, social, economic, and cultural grievances among Indians against British
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colonial rule. It marked a turning point in the history of India and played a significant role in
the eventual end of British colonial rule in the country.
∆ Consequences of the revolt with special reference to:-
(i) Queen’s Proclamation
(ii) Act for the Better Government of India, 1858

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 had far-reaching consequences for India, British colonial rule, and
the relationship between the two. Two important consequences of the rebellion were the
Queen's Proclamation of 1858 and the Act for the Better Government of India on the same
year.)

(i) Queen's Proclamation:

● In 1858, Queen Victoria issued a proclamation, commonly known as the Queen's
Proclamation, which announced the end of the rule of the British East India Company
and the transfer of governance of India to the British Crown.
● The proclamation declared that the British government would respect the religious
beliefs, customs, and traditions of the Indian people, and promised to provide equal
treatment and opportunities to all its subjects in India.
● The Proclamation marked a significant shift in British policy towards India and helped
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to assuage some of the grievances of the Indian people.

(ii) Act for the Better Government of India, 1858

The Government of India Act, 1858 was passed in a parallel setting with the Queen’s
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proclamation in India. Under this, it was claimed that India would now be governed directly by
the Britishers under their British Crown and all the authorities lay in their hands.
Key Provisions
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1. Under this Act, the rule of the East India Company was liquidated and passed on to the
British Crown.
2. The surveillance including the Board of Control and the Court of Directors were
discarded by this Act.
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3. It established a Secretary of State for India and a 15-member Council of India, which
was responsible for advising the Secretary of State on matters related to India.First
Secretary of State for India: Lord Stanley
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4. The Secretary of State would also act as the arbitrator and the channel between the
British administration in Britain and the Indian government.
5. The dual government policy, introduced by Pitt’s India Act was removed by the
Government of India Act, 1858
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The Act for the Better Government of India, 1858, marked a turning point in the governance of
India, shifting the authority from the East India Company to the British government. It laid the
foundation for direct British rule in India, which lasted until India gained independence in 1947.
∆ Indian Councils Act of 1861
The Indian Councils Act of 1861, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, was a significant
piece of legislation passed by the British government that brought about some changes to the
system of governance in India.

Key Provisions
1. Introduction of Indians in Law-making: The Act marked the beginning of representative
institutions by involving Indians in the process of law-making.
2. Nomination of Indian Members: Lord Canning, the Governor-General at the time,
nominated several prominent Indians as non-official members of the expanded
council. This included the Raja of Benaras, the Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir Dinkar Rao,
among others.
3. Restoration of Legislative Powers: The Act restored the legislative powers of the
Bombay and Madras Presidencies, allowing them to create their own legislation. These
Presidencies had previously lost their legislative authority under the Charter Act of
1833.
4. Establishment of New Legislative Councils: The Act introduced new Legislative Councils
for Bengal, the North-Western Frontier Province, and Punjab. These councils provided
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a platform for Indians to voice their concerns and participate in the legislative process.
5. Provision for Convenient Business Transactions: The Act empowered the Viceroy to
make provisions for the smooth conduct of business in the Legislative Council. This
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allowed for the efficient functioning of the council and the transaction of legislative
affairs.
6. Recognition of the 'Portfolio System': The Act recognized the 'portfolio system'
introduced by Lord Canning, where members of the Executive Council were assigned
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specific portfolios or areas of responsibility. This system continued to be practiced

under the Act.
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Drawbacks of the Act:

● The function and role of the legislative council is limited.
● The discussion on matters like finance and revenue were restricted.
● The Madras and Bombay legislative powers decentralised the powers of legislature.
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● The Governor General due to his special and extraordinary powers became an arbitrary
leader.
● Many bills in the Council were passed even without discussion and the Indian
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members were not allowed to oppose the bill.

● The non-official members had no right to explain the problems that the common
people faced or ask the questions.
Merits
● It helps in restoring the powers of legislation of the Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
● It also gave power to the Presidency of Calcutta so that they could make laws for entire
British India.
● It provides good provisions for the Council’s Constitution of India’s Governor General.

Indian Council Act 1861 was an act which made efficient modulations for the Governor
General’s Council. This act aims to alter the Council’s composition for advanced purposes of the
executives and legislations. Its most notable and excellent aspect was the Indian members’
involvement in law making processes. It serves as the basis for the Bengal’s, Punjab and North-
western Frontier Provinces legislative council’s establishment.

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