The major constitutional acts and reforms in British India

The major constitutional acts and reforms in British India

• Regulating Act, 1773: Established British government control over East India Company by creating Governor-General and Supreme Court in India.

• Act of Settlement, 1781: Strengthened the Governor-General’s authority and limited Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to stabilize governance.

• Pitt's India Act, 1784: Introduced dual control with British government supervising the East India Company for political administration.

• Charter Act, 1793: Renewed the Company’s charter with strengthened British sovereignty and centralized administration under Governor-General.

• Charter Act, 1813: Ended Company’s trade monopoly (except tea/China trade) and promoted education and missionary activities in India.

• Charter Act, 1833: Centralized legislative power under Governor-General of India and abolished trade monopolies, signaling direct imperial control.

• Charter Act, 1853: Created Indian Legislative Council and introduced competitive exams, paving way for administrative reforms.

• Indian Council Act, 1861: Expanded legislative councils and introduced limited Indian participation in governance.

• Indian Council Act, 1892: Increased Indian representation with indirect elections and limited powers to question the government.

• Indian Council Act, 1909: Introduced separate Muslim electorates and expanded Indian participation in legislative and executive councils.

• Government of India Act, 1919: Introduced dyarchy and expanded Indian electorate but retained British control over key areas.

• Government of India Act, 1935: Established provincial autonomy and proposed federal structure, laying groundwork for self-governance.

• Indian Independence Act, 1947: Ended British rule, partitioned India and Pakistan, and granted full independence to both nations.