Government of India Act 1858 – UPSC Notes

The Government of India Act 1858, also known as the “Act for the Good Government of India“, was passed by the British Parliament in August 1858. The Provisions of this Act abolished the British East India Company and transferred the control of British India from the East India Company to the British Crown. During the enactment of this Act, Lord Canning was the Governor-General of India in 1858.

With the GOI Act 1858, the East India Company ceased to be a political company, and the Company’s rule in India came to an end. Hence, in India, the Colonial system of governance under the Company transferred to the Imperialist Rule under the British Crown.

Overview of the Government of India Act 1858

Long TitleAn Act for the Better Government of India
Enacted byParliament of the United Kingdom
Royal Assent2 August 1858
Commenced1 November 1858
StatusAmended

Background

The Indian rebellion of 1857 forced the British Government to pass the Government of India Act 1858. There was widespread resentment against the East India Company in Britain as the Company’s policies were blamed for the revolt. The 1857 Rebellion convinced the British Government that the administration of India must be taken over by the British Crown.

Lord Palmerston, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, introduced a bill for the transfer of the Government of India from the East India Company to the British Crown, referring to the defects in the existing system of the British Indian Government. However, before the bill was to be passed, Lord Palmerston had to resign on another issue.

Later, Lord Edward Stanley (who later became the first Secretary of State for India) introduced another bill, originally titled “An Act for the Better Governance of India”.

On 2 August 1858, the British Parliament passed the Act for the Better Government of India, also known as the Government of India Act 1858. The Act declared Queen Victoria as the sovereign of British India. The British Crown assumed direct responsibility for the administration of British India.

Thus, the 1857 revolt led to changes in the system of administration and policies of the British Indian Government.

Provisions of the Government of India Act 1858

Abolition of the Company’s Rule

  • The Government of India Act 1858 provided for the liquidation of the British East India Company.
  • It provided that British territories in India henceforth were to be governed directly in the name of Her Majesty.
  • The Act made India a direct British colony.

Designation of Viceroy of India

  • The GOI Act 1858 provided special status to the Governor-General. The Act provided the designation of Viceroy of India to the Governor-General of India.
    • The Viceroy of India was the direct representative of the British Crown in India.
    • The Viceroy was to be assisted by an Executive Council.
  • Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India in 1858.

The Viceroy of India and the governors of various presidencies were to be appointed by the British Crown.

Ended the system of Dual Government

The Govt. of India Act 1858 ended the system of double government by abolishing the Court of Directors and the Board of Control. Thus, the dual system introduced by the Pitt’s India Act of 1784 came to an end.

Established the office of Secretary of State for India

  • The Government of India Act 1858 created a new office of Secretary of State for India, vested with complete authority and control over the Indian administration. He was now the political head of British India.
  • The Secretary of State for India was a member of the British Cabinet and was ultimately responsible to the British Parliament.
  • The Secretary of State became the channel for all communications between Britain and India.
  • Lord Stanley became the first Secretary of State for India, who had earlier served as the President of the Board of Control.

Set up the Indian Council

  • The 1858 Government of India Act also set up an Indian Council of 15 members to assist the Secretary of State for India.
  • The Indian Council became an advisory body in Indian affairs.
  • The Secretary of State for India was the Chairman of the council. Thus, the initiative and the final decision were to be with the Secretary of State.
  • The Act constituted the Secretary of State-in-Council as a body corporate, capable of suing and being sued in India and England.
  • The Governor-General was now made responsible to the Secretary of State-in-Council.

Provision of creation of an Indian Civil Service

The Govt of India Act 1858 also provided the creation of an Indian Civil Service under the control of the Secretary of State. There was also a provision for Indians to be admitted to the service.

Queen Victoria Proclamation 1858

The governmental changes by the GOI Act 1858, were announced in the form of a proclamation issued by Queen Victoria. Therefore, the GOI Act 1858 was also known as The Proclamation Letter Of Queen Victoria.

On 1 November 1858, a Grand Darbar was held at Allahabad, where Lord Canning (the first Viceroy of India) announced Queen Victoria’s Proclamation to the Princes, Chiefs, and People of India. Lord Canning sent forth the royal proclamation, which announced the queen had assumed the Government of India.

  • The proclamation laid out the Policy of the Subordinate Union.
    • The British government adopted the policy of subordinate union towards the Indian Princely States.
    • The policy of annexation was abandoned by the British. The proclamation assured the Indian public that there would be no extension to the territorial possession in India.
    • As per Queen Victoria’s Proclamation, all the treaties and agreements made with the Indian native princes under the East India Company’s authority did not cease to exist but were there to stay and accepted by the Crown.
    • The British promised to respect the dignity and rights of the native princes.
  • The proclamation ended the Doctrine of Lapse (expounded by Lord Dalhousie in 1848). The Native rulers were free to adopt any heir they desired so long as they all swore allegiance to the British Crown.
  • The proclamation laid out total freedom of religion to the people of India without interference from British officials.
  • The proclamation also granted amnesty to all except for those who were charged with the murder of British subjects.
  • It was through this proclamation, that the Governor-General, acquired the additional title of Viceroy. He was designated as ‘Viceroy of India’ when dealing with the native rulers and ‘Governor-General’ when dealing with the British Indian provinces.

The Queen Victoria Proclamation declared the future policy of British rule in India. Thus, it was also called the Magna Carta of the People of India.

FAQs on the Government of India Act 1858

  1. Who was the first Viceroy of India?

    Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India in 1858 through the Government of India Act 1858.

  2. Who was the first Secretary of State for India?

    Lord Stanley was appointed as the first secretary of State for India in 1858. He had earlier served as the President of the Board of Control.

  3. What are the main features of the Government of India Act 1858?

    The Act liquidated the British East India Company.
    It transferred the functions of the East India Company to the British Crown.
    The British territories in India henceforth were to be governed directly in the name of Her Majesty.
    The Governor-General of India was provided with the designation of Viceroy of India.
    The GOI Act 1858 set up the office of Secretary of State for India, who was vested with the powers of the Company’s Court of Directors.
    The Act also created an Indian Council, consisting of 15 members to assist the Secretary of State for India in Indian affairs.

  4. What was the importance of the Government of India Act 1858?

    The Government of India Act 1858 laid out that British India was to be governed directly in the name of the British Queen. The Act abolished the East India Company and transferred the powers of the government, territories, and revenues to the British Crown.

  5. What was the Queen’s Proclamation of 1858?

    Queen Victoria Proclamation of 1858 was declared at Grand Darbar held in Allahabad on 1 November 1858, where Governor-General Lord Canning announced to the “Princes, Chiefs, and People of India” that the queen had assumed the government of India. It laid out that India would be governed by and in the name of the British Monarch through a Secretary of State.

  6. What was the importance of the Queen Victoria Proclamation?

    Queen Victoria’s Proclamation declared the future policy of British rule in India. The proclamation assured the India Public that there would be no extension of the current territorial possessions in India. It also ended the Doctrine of Lapse, and the native princes were free to adopt any heir. It was by this proclamation, that the Governor-General, acquired the additional title of Viceroy of India.

Also Read:
Regulating Act of 1733
Pitt’s India Act of 1784
Charter Act of 1793
Charter Act of 1813
Charter Act of 1833
Charter Act of 1853
Indian Councils Act of 1861
Indian Councils Act of 1892
Indian Councils Act of 1909
Government of India Act of 1919
Government of India Act of 1935

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