Constitutional History

Background

Charter from Queen

Charter
established

law made by an authorised

legislature for an area widespread corruption and EIC to trade with India
in form of led to
Acts Regulation under reported their
determines wealth to even the Crown lly
tua
en
aim led to ev

form of govt, power, annexed large parts of India

control of British Parliament
jurisdiction, etc
over affairs of company

British administrative divisions

Eg. Bombay, Bengal , etc Eg. Kashmir, Hyderabad, etc

( earlier called as
presidencies ) Provinces Princely States

(60%)
under

under
(40%)

direct Britsh A “king” who was

Control subordinate to the British

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Constitutional History ( Pre 1857 ) Answers

The First … 1. Charter act of 1813

redesignated assisted by Mnemonics

2. Act of settlement , 1981
( use the underlined word to recall the name )
Gov of Bengal Gov General of Bengal Executive Council ( 4 members )
as 3. Warren Hastings
made subordinate to First Governor General of
3. The warrant of Bengal
Bengal ( 1773 ) 4.William Bentick
Gov of Bombay and Madras
5. Lord Canning
First Governor General of 4. First GGoI was like a
India ( 1833 ) bent-stick
Court of Directors of Co. Regulating Act of 1773 Co. servants →not to engage
↓ in pvt trade / accept bribes First Viceroy of India
to report to British 5. First Viceroy walked with a cane
( 1858 )
Govt established SC at Calcutta

Questions
Pitt’s India Act ( 1784 )
1. Which act deprived the
commercial affairs→ by EIC EIC of monopoly of trade
• Double
in india for the first time ?
Govt political affairs → by Board of Control
( A new body → appointed by British govt )
2. which act was passed
to rectify the shortcomings
• Co.’s territories → called British possessions for the first time of 1773 act ?

Charter Act of 1853

Charter Act of 1833
GG’s Council
G.G. of Bengal
separate open competition started
made opened to Indians

G.G. of India Executive functions Legislative functions

Civil services
A Centralised Govt of all 6 new members Indian ( central )
British territories in India ( legislative legislative council
councillors ) → added
Macaulay committee appointed
exclusive All civil /
legislative power military powers local representation

• EIC → no more commercial

body ; only administrative 4 of them to be appointed by local govts of
Agra , Bombay , Bengal , Madras

Imp. : A distinction was made in the executive and legislative functions of GG. Also : EIC’s rule was extended but no period was specified implying its rule could be terminated anytime.
A law member was introduced whenever council met for legislative purposes.
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 ⬆ ⬆ ⬆
Constitutional History ( Post 1857 )

GoI Act , 1858

GGoI - redesignated as Viceroy

Indian Councils Act , 1909
direct representative of
Legislative Councils Indians appointed to executive
All powers of govt - transferred from EIC to Crown
councils ( 2. Who was the first ? )
rule through
Central Provincial
first time
Assisted by 15 member secretary of state ( A British
advisory council cabinet member ) size and fns size and fns

Officials’ Non- officials’ Separate electorate for muslims

“The Act for the good govt of India”
majority retained majority introduced
Indian Councils Act , 1861 Morley - Minto Reforms

• Viceroy’s (6-12) additional half → non- officials

council expanded members GoI Act , 1919
Division of subjects of adm
associated with legislation could be Indians ( 1. who were Other Points
for the 1st time the first 3 to be appointed ? ) Dyarchy
• 3 of 6 members
Central Provincial
transferred → adm by governor with aid of executive
• decentralisation • during emergency council → to be
of legislative council
subjects of all Indians
provincial divided into
india level like subjects
restored legislative powers to • extension of
Viceory could issue railways,etc reserved → adm by governor and exec separate electorates
ordinances without council without aid of legi council
provincial budget to → Sikhs ,
consulting legislative
Bombay central budget to be enacted by Christians , Anglo
Madras council
own legislature Indians
majority chosen by
upper house direct election • A central public
Indian Councils Act , 1892 service commission
legislative council replaced by bicameralism established
some non officials - could be appointed on recommendation
lower house franchise to ltd no. of
of lower bodies ( element of “election” introduced )
ppl based on criteria
like property,etc
discuss budget
Montagu - Chelmsford Reforms
Central and provincial
Legislative Councils Answers
functions and powers
1. Maharaja of Patiala
Raja of Benares
no. of additional members Sir Dinker Rao

address Qs ⇓ 2. Satyendra Prasad

to executive Sinha as Law
no. of Indians too member
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Constitutional History ( Post 1857 ) Answers

1. Depressed Classes
GoI Act , 1935
and Workers
provinces
All India federation→units 2. 10% of population
bicameralism → in 6 provinces
princely states → refused to join
3. Burma
federation could not actualise provincial autonomy
replaced dyarchy 3. separated from India ? India Independence Act , 1947
with federal , provincial and 4. Orissa and Sind
concurrent lists ( residuary • end of British rule
5. Liaqat Ali Khan
powers to viceroy )
4. New provinces ? • provided for partition 6. Asaf Ali
Dyarchy at centre → but • princely states - given option 7. C.Rajagopalachari
All India proposals Provinces
could not be realised to join either dominion
8. R.K.Shanmugham
Provisions • Constituent Assemblies → Chetty
Provinvial Public free to frame any constitution
extension of separate Service Commission 9. Dr John Mathai
electorates → to who ? (1) Elections New bodies
10. Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad
Federal Court
Franchise → extended 11. B.R.Ambedkar
to… ? (2) RBI
12. Raj Kumari Amrit
Kaur

For state PSCs especially , the important

members of the interim govt and first
cabinet of free india ( FCFI ) are important

Members who held same portfolio in both govts

Other Imp portfolios in FCFI ( 1947 )
External Affairs and
commonwealth relations ( + 8. Finance ?
J L Nehru Other Imp portfolios in Interim Govt ( 1946 )
PM and scientific research in
FCFI ) 5. Finance ? 9. Railways and Transport ?

Home , I & B ( + states in 6. Railways and Transport ? 10. Education ?

Vallabhbhai Patel
FCFI )
7. Education & Arts ? 11. Law ?
Rajendra Prasad Food & Agriculture
12. Health ?
Jagjivan Ram Labour

Sardar Baldev Singh Defence

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