Explore the constitutional development in India between 1773 and 1858, including major acts, amendments, and governance changes from the Battle of Buxar to the Act for Better Government of India.
Constitutional Development of British India: Key Events Between 1773 and 1858
Post-Battle of Buxar Developments in British Colonial Rule
Battle of Buxar (1764): East India Company gained Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Required to pay an annual subsidy to Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and a pension to Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daula. Appointed Mohammad Reza Khan and Raja Shitab Rai as deputy diwans for Bengal and Bihar respectively.
British Government Intervention (1767): Demanded a 10% share of the plunder amounting to 4 million pounds annually.
Dual System of Government (1765-1772): Company had authority without responsibility; Indian representatives had responsibility without authority. Issues included corruption, excessive revenue collection, oppression, and Company’s bankruptcy.
Regulating Act of 1773: British Government Control Over East India Company
British Government Involvement: British government began controlling and regulating the East India Company's functioning. Company’s role extended to administrative and political fields.
Administration in Bengal: Governor-General and a 4-member council to administer Bengal with decisions based on majority rule.
Supreme Court: Established in Bengal with original and appellate jurisdiction; jurisdiction issues with the council created problems.
Governor-General’s Powers: Some powers over Bombay and Madras; vague provisions led to issues.
Checks and Balances: The scheme was based on checks and balances.
Amendments to the Regulating Act: Changes in Judicial Powers (1781)
Supreme Court Jurisdiction: Defined to administer personal law within Calcutta.
Immunity for Government Servants: Servants immune from actions taken while discharging duties.
Respect for Social and Religious Usages: Social and religious usages of subjects to be honored.
Pitt’s India Act of 1784: Establishing Control Over the East India Company
Company as Subordinate Department: Company became a subordinate department of the State; territories termed ‘British possessions’.
Board of Control: Consisted of the chancellor of exchequer, a secretary of state, and four Privy Council members to control the Company’s affairs.
Governance in India: Governor-General to have a council of three; Bombay and Madras presidencies made subordinate to Governor-General.
Prohibition on Aggressive Wars: General prohibition on aggressive wars and treaties.
Charter Acts of 1793, 1813, 1833, and 1853: Enhancing British Control and Governance in India
Renewal of Commercial Privileges: Renewed Company’s commercial privileges for 20 years.
Separation of Revenue and Judiciary: Revenue administration separated from judiciary; Maal Adalats disappeared.
End of Monopoly: Company’s monopoly over trade in India ended; retained trade with China and tea.
Extension of Lease: Company’s lease extended; territories governed in the name of the Crown.
Codification of Laws: Indian laws to be codified and consolidated.
Act for Better Government of India (1858): Direct Governance by the Crown
Governance by the Crown: India governed by and in the name of the Crown through a secretary of state and a council of 15; secretary of state had primary decision-making power.
Governor-General Became Viceroy: Governor-General’s title changed to Viceroy; increased prestige.
End of Dual Control System: End of dual system introduced by Pitt’s India Act; direct governance by the Crown.
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