Constitutional Development in British India

📜 Constitutional Development in British India

⚖️ Regulating Act, 1773

• First step of parliamentary control over EIC.
• Governor of Bengal became Governor-General (Warren Hastings first).
• Bombay & Madras subordinated to Bengal.
• Council of 4 members created.
• Supreme Court established at Calcutta (1774).

📑 Pitt’s India Act, 1784

• Created Board of Control (6 members incl. British ministers).
• Company’s territories termed as “British possessions in India”.
• Dual control: Company (patronage) + Crown (political control).

📜 Charter Act, 1793

• Company’s trade monopoly continued for 20 years.
• Governor-General got power to overrule his Council.

📜 Charter Act, 1813

• Company’s monopoly ended except in tea & China trade.
• Missionaries allowed in India.
• 1 lakh rupees earmarked for education.

📜 Charter Act, 1833

• Governor-General of Bengal became Governor-General of India (William Bentinck first).
• Company’s trade monopoly ended completely.
• Law Commission under Macaulay formed → Indian Penal Code.

📜 Charter Act, 1853

• Legislative & Executive functions separated.
• Open competition for Civil Services (Macaulay Committee 1854).

🏛️ Govt. of India Act, 1858

• Company rule ended, Crown rule began.
• Secretary of State for India appointed.
• Governor-General became Viceroy (Lord Canning first).

📑 Indian Councils Act, 1861

• Introduced Indians in law-making (non-officials nominated).
• Legislative powers restored to Bombay & Madras.

📑 Indian Councils Act, 1892

• Indirect elections introduced.
• Discuss budget, but no power to vote.

📑 Morley–Minto Reforms, 1909

• First communal representation for Muslims (separate electorates).
• Central & provincial legislative councils enlarged.
• Satyendra Prasad Sinha became first Indian in Governor-General’s Executive Council.

📑 Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms, 1919

• Introduced Dyarchy in provinces.
• Bicameral legislature at centre (Council of State + Legislative Assembly).
• Franchise widened; communal representation extended.

🏛️ Govt. of India Act, 1935

• Proposed an All-India Federation.
• Dyarchy at Centre (never implemented).
• Provincial autonomy introduced.
• Bicameralism extended to provinces.
• Federal Court established (1937).

🇮🇳 Indian Independence Act, 1947

• Partition of India → India & Pakistan created.
• Dominion status granted.
• Constituent Assemblies became sovereign.

📝 Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946

• Proposed Union of India with 3 groups of provinces.
• Constituent Assembly to frame Constitution.
• Interim Government formed.