Constitutional Developments 1773 to 1947 at a Glance
The British Parliament passed a series of Acts between 1773 and 1947 that moved India from Company rule to Crown rule and finally to self-government.
From Company rule to Crown rule
| Act | Main provisions |
|---|---|
| Regulating Act, 1773 | First step to control the Company. Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings) with an Executive Council of four. Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774). Bombay and Madras made subordinate to Bengal. Company servants barred from private trade. |
| Pitt's India Act, 1784 | Board of Control for political matters; Court of Directors only for trade (dual control). Governor-General's Council cut to three. Company's lands called "British possessions in India". |
| Act of 1786 | Cornwallis was allowed to override his council and was made both Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief. |
| Charter Act, 1793 | Company's monopoly renewed for 20 years. The costs of the Board of Control to be paid by the Company. |
| Charter Act, 1813 | Ended the Company's trade monopoly (except tea and trade with China). Rs 1 lakh a year for education. Missionaries allowed. Asserted the Crown's sovereignty. |
| Charter Act, 1833 | Governor-General of India (Bentinck first). All legislative power centralised in the Governor-General-in-Council. Law member added (Macaulay). Company ceased to be a trading body. Open entry to jobs without distinction of religion or race, but this was not followed in practice. |
| Charter Act, 1853 | The last Charter Act. Separate Legislative Council with six legislative members. Open competition for the Civil Service. |
| Government of India Act, 1858 | After the Revolt of 1857, the Crown took over. Secretary of State for India with a Council of India (15 members). The Governor-General became Viceroy (Canning). |
Slow reform under the Crown
| Act | Main provisions |
|---|---|
| Indian Councils Act, 1861 | Portfolio system; Indians nominated to the Legislative Council (three in 1862); Viceroy could issue ordinances; legislative powers restored to Bombay and Madras. |
| Indian Councils Act, 1892 | More non-official members; indirect elections (by recommendation); members could discuss the budget and ask questions. |
| Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto) | Separate electorates for Muslims; larger councils; non-official majority in provincial councils; first Indian in the Viceroy's Executive Council (S.P. Sinha, 1909). |
| Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford) | Dyarchy in provinces; bicameral Centre; direct elections on a limited franchise; separate electorates extended to Sikhs, Christians and others. |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | Provincial autonomy; federation (never started); Federal Court; RBI; Burma separated; three lists; franchise widened. |
| Indian Independence Act, 1947 | Two dominions, India and Pakistan, from 15 August 1947. |
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard sources such as NCERT, Bipan Chandra, Spectrum and official records. Historians differ on some dates, figures and interpretations, so check your exam syllabus and a standard textbook. Found a mistake? Tell us.