Explore the constitutional developments in India from 1773 to 1858, covering pivotal events such as the Battle of Buxar, Regulating Act of 1773, and Charter Acts. Learn about governance changes and legislative reforms that shaped modern India.
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.
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.
Cornwallis’s Powers: Cornwallis granted powers of both governor-general and commander-in-chief; allowed to override council’s decisions, extended to all governors-general.
Extension of Lease: Company’s lease extended; territories governed in the name of the Crown.
End of Trade Monopolies: Company’s monopoly over trade with China and in tea ended.
European Immigration and Property: Restrictions lifted, facilitating European colonization.
Centralization of Government: Governor-General given control over all civil and military affairs; all revenues and expenditures under Governor-General’s control; Governments of Madras and Bombay deprived of legislative powers; allowed to propose laws.
Law Member Addition: Law member added to Governor-General’s council for legal advice.
Codification of Laws: Indian laws to be codified and consolidated.
Non-discrimination in Employment: No Indian citizen to be denied employment based on religion, color, descent, etc.
Amendment to Slavery: Efforts to ameliorate conditions of slaves and abolition of slavery (completed in 1843).
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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