Question

Identify the Acts passed in British India from 1858 to 1919, with a brief note on each.

Answer 1

The Government of India Act 1858, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the constitutional history of India.

Liquidation of East India Company and the powers of government, territories, and revenues were transferred to the British Crown.

The Indian Council Act, 1861

1. It enabled the Governor-General to associate the people of the land with work of legislation.
2. However, the legislative councils were merely talked shops with no power to criticize the administration or ask for some information. Their scope was fixed in legislation purpose alone; they had no right to move some kind of vote of no confidence.

The Indian Council Act, 1892

1. This act marks the beginning of a representative form of Government in India.
2. Indian National Congress had adopted some resolutions in its sessions in 1885 and 1889 and put its demand. The major demands placed were as follows:

• A simultaneous examination of ICS to be held in England and India
• Reforms of the legislative council and adoption of the principle of the election in place of nomination
• Opposition to the annexation of Upper Burma
• Reduction in the Military expenditure.

The Indian Councils Act, 1909 (The Morely-Minto Reforms)

1. The British viceroy of India (1905-10) was able to introduce several important innovations into the legislative and administrative machinery of the British Indian government.
2. The act also increased the maximum additional membership of the Imperial Legislative Council from 16 to 60.

The Government of India Act, 1919 (The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)

1. Subjects of administration were divided into two categories – ‘Central’ and ‘Provincial’. All important subjects (like Railways and Finance) were brought under the category of Central, while matters relating to the administration of the Provinces were classified as Provincial.
2. The provincial subjects were divided into two groups viz. reserved and transferred.

• The reserved subjects were kept with the Governor and transferred subjects were kept with the Indian Ministers.
• This division of subjects was basically what they meant by introducing the Diarchy.
• The reserved subjects were the essential areas of law enforcement such as justice, police, and revenue. The transferred subjects were such as public health, public works, education, etc.