The Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1858 to abolish the rule of the East India Company in India and transferred the powers of government, territories, and revenues to the British Crown. The Government of India Act 1858 is also known as the “An act for the better governance of India.”
Since the Regulating Act of 1773, the powers of the company were gradually being curtailed. From the Charter Act of 1813 to the Charter Act of 1853, the commercial powers of the company were abolished, but its political and administrative powers remained intact, although its independence was significantly reduced.
After the Rebellion of 1857, the situation of public outrage led the government to enact a series of administrative reforms through legislation to bring the situation under control and strengthen the sovereignty of the British Empire. The laws passed by the British government were: the Government of India Act 1858, the Indian Councils Act 1861, the Indian Councils Act 1892, the Indian Councils Act 1909 also known as Morley Minto Reforms, the Government of India Act 1919 or Montagu Chelmsford Reforms, and the Government of India Act 1935.
Background of the Government of India Act 1858
- The joint rule of the British government and the East India Company gradually instilled a sense of resentment in the minds of the Indians, and this resentment was manifested through the Rebellion of 1857. Although the Indian attempt was unsuccessful, this rebellion significantly influenced contemporary society, politics, and administration.
- This revolt by Indians posed a major challenge to British imperialism for the first time. The most notable change that occurred due to the Rebellion of 1857 was the abolition of the rule of the East India Company.
- After brutally suppressing the Rebellion of 1857 through brutal repression, the British government began to rethink the administrative structure in India. The government realized that administrative reforms and restructuring were essential for the betterment of post-rebellion India. Therefore, to pacify the turbulent and rebellious situation, the British government abolished the rule of the East India Company and took the responsibility of administering India upon themselves, and the Government of India Act 1858 was passed by the British Parliament on 2nd August 1858.
Provisions of Government of India Act 1858
- The Government of India Act 1858 declared that the rule of the East India Company in India would be abolished and India would be brought under the direct rule of the British Queen Victoria. It was also stated that one member of the British Cabinet would be responsible for the governance of India on behalf of the Queen.
- The title of the person responsible for overseeing Indian affairs on behalf of the British Cabinet was the ‘Secretary of State for India’ or the ‘India Secretary’. He was under the British Cabinet and had supreme authority in determining the policies for India. The first Secretary of State or India Secretary was Edward Stanley.
- To provide the Secretary of State with appropriate advice in administrative matters, a Council of India consisting of 15 members was formed. The members of this council were chosen from people with some experience in Indian affairs.
- Of the 15 members, 8 were appointed by the British government, and the remaining 7 were selected from the members of the abolished Court of Directors.
- The Government of India Act of 1858 eliminated the Court of Directors and the Board of Control, which had been established by the Pitt’s India Act of 1784.
- The Secretary of State was the Chairman of the Council of India. He had the full authority to reject the decisions of the Council of India. He was not obliged to inform the Council of India about all the decisions he took regarding Indian affairs. However, the approval of the Council of India was mandatory for financial matters.
- However, the Secretary of State was accountable to the British Parliament for his actions. The office of the Secretary of State was called the ‘India office’.
- The rule of competitive examination for recruitment to administrative positions, introduced by the Charter Act of 1853, was relaxed in the Government of India Act 1858.
- The responsibility of appointing, promoting, and transferring officials in various positions was divided between the Viceroy of India and the Secretary of State. The Viceroy of India was responsible for the appointments, promotions, and legal transfers of officials. New appointments were made through competitive examinations conducted under the guidance of the Civil Service Commission in England with the Secretary of State.
- The Government of India Act 1858 abolished the joint rule of the British government and the East India Company.
- Consequently, the Governor-General of India was renamed the Viceroy of India. The viceroy was the direct representative of the British Crown in India. Thus, Lord Canning was appointed India’s first viceroy.
Consequences of the Government of India Act 1858
As a result of the announcement of the Government of India Act 1858 on 2 August 1858, the administration of India passed into the hands of Queen Victoria of England on 1 November 1858. Viceroy Lord Canning, appointed by the Queen, organized a durbar in Allahabad and read out a proclamation on behalf of the Queen. This is historically known as the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’ or the ‘Declaration of the Queen Victoria’. The proclamation stated that:
- The ‘Doctrine of Lapse‘ policy over the native states would be abandoned, and it was stated that the native rulers would now be allowed to adopt heir successors.
- The British government would desist from the work of expanding the British Empire in India.
- Indians would be appointed to government services based on merit.
- All Indians, regardless of caste, religion, and colour, would be given equal status.
- Religious freedom of every Indian would be maintained, and the British government would not interfere in the religious and social affairs of Indians.
- In cases of disputes regarding succession in the native states, the decision of the Viceroy would be considered final.
- Except for those directly involved in the Rebellion of 1857, the rest would be pardoned, and the confiscated properties would be returned.
Limitations of Government of India Act 1858
A close examination of the Government of India Act 1858 makes it clear that the Secretary of State was supreme in administrative matters. The Council of India could influence him only ‘morally,’ as he could often make decisions without even informing the Council.
Thus, the Council’s financial powers were rendered meaningless, as the Secretary of State was accountable to the British Parliament, not the Council. There was no major change in the administration of India either – the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown was merely a matter of formality. The British government showed no concern for the problems of the Indians. The laws enacted by the British government did not improve the condition of the Indians; rather, the degree of administrative and social exploitation steadily increased.
