Introduction
To regulate the governing bodies of India, the Government of India Act by the British Parliament between 1773 and 1935 was proposed. The Governor-general of Fort William of Bengal was set up through the Regulating Act of 1773 under the supervisory powers of Madras and Bombay. The dual system of control by the India Company and British Government was passed through the Pitt’s India Act in 1774. It was named after prime minister William Pitt The Younger. A secret committee of three directors was in direct touch with the British Government to retain control over commerce, day-to-day administration, and crucial political issues.
Missionaries were allowed to enter British India under the Act of 1813 that broke the monopoly of trade. The patronage ended through the act of 1853, and the trade ended through the Act of 1833. The company’s most power was transferred to the crown by the act of 1858. Some comprehensive enactments like giving legal expression to Montagu Chelmsford reform and constitutional discussions took place through the acts of 1919 and 1935. The first several acts under the East India company acts were passed in 1773, 1780, 1784, 1786, 1790. The several acts of 1833, 1853, 1858, 1919, and 1935 were termed as Government of India Acts.
All Act In India
There are numerous central laws, state laws, and it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of laws in India. Through a study till January 2017, there were about 1248 total acts in India. The system of law across the Indian nation refers to the Law of India. A hybrid legal system is maintained by Indians through a mixture of Civil, Common, customary, and religious law. All acts in India which were inherited from the colonial era are not active yet, but some Acts are still in effect in modified forms today. After the formation of the constitution, the law on human rights and protecting the environment was introduced to adhere to United Nations guidelines.
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Merchant Shipping Act of 1786
An act established by the Parliament of Great Britain in 1786 is known as the Merchant Shipping Act of 1786. A petition was made to Parliament by a delegation of shipowners when the Act stemmed from it in 1786. The parliament passed it without a division in either house. The liabilities of the shipowners were limited, in regards to goods lost or damaged in robbery no matter what condition may occur through Section I of the Act.
The loss was limited to the value of the vessel and any freight due for the voyage. It was an extension of the provisions of the responsibility of the shipowner's Act of 1733. It highlighted that the ship-owners would receive no protection against any robbing without the collusion of the crew. Section II determined that they were liable for loss due to accidental fire. Section III mentioned that ship-owners were under no liability in the case of theft of valuables like gold, pearls, and silver without a proper bill of lading.
List Of Acts in India
The Indian Constitution has made several acts, some for betterments and some for strict causes:
Regulating Act of 1773: In this act, the British Parliament moduled and regulated all the East India Company affairs in India. In this action for the first time, the Governor of Bengal Fort William was addressed as the Governor-General of India. Federal court or supreme court was established in India, and the Executive Council was arranged under the Governor-General of India.
Charter Act of 1853: There was a separation of the function of the council of Governor-General - Legislative and Executive function This Act also opened Indian Civil service for all persons, including Indians.
Government of India Act 1858: The single rule of East India company ended, and the rule was passed to the Crown of England. The power and the control were given to the Secretary of State Of India. The Governor-General became the Viceroy of India and terminated the Board of Control and Court of Directors.
Government of India Act 1919: Dyarchy was first introduced in Provincial subjects and was divided into parts, reserved, and transferred. The legislative assembly was organized with 140 members, and the Legislative council consisted of 60 members.
Government of India Act 1935: The power was divided among Federal units, Provincial units, and Concurrent units. Establishment of Supreme court and termination of the Council of India.
Conclusion
The Government of India Act has numerous acts that were useful and helpful to the Indian people. The Indian Act of 1935 was the lengthier act with 321 sections,14 parts, and ten schedules. Many salient features like the creation of the All India Federation, provincial autonomy, safeguard provisions, and reservations were proposed through the Act.
FAQs on Government of India Acts
1. What was the main purpose of the various Government of India Acts passed by the British?
The main purpose was to establish a formal structure for the British administration in India. Initially, these acts aimed to regulate the activities of the East India Company. Later, especially after 1858, they were designed to increase British parliamentary control over India and gradually introduce limited Indian participation in the government.
2. Why is the Government of India Act of 1858 so important in Indian history?
The Government of India Act of 1858 is crucial because it marked the end of the East India Company's rule and the beginning of the British Crown's direct rule over India. This was a direct result of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. The Act abolished the Company and transferred all its powers to the British Crown, establishing the post of Secretary of State for India.
3. What were the key features introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919?
Also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, the Act of 1919 introduced several key features:
- It introduced dyarchy, a system of dual government, in the provinces.
- It created a bicameral (two-house) legislature at the central level for the first time.
- It separated the central and provincial subjects, allowing provinces to make laws on their own subjects.
- It extended the principle of communal representation to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.
4. What were the main drawbacks of the Government of India Act, 1919?
The main drawbacks were that the franchise (right to vote) was very limited and did not include the common people. The system of dyarchy was complex and ultimately failed. The Governor-General and Governors retained significant power, which could overrule the legislatures. Also, the expansion of communal representation was seen as a 'divide and rule' tactic that was harmful to national unity.
5. What was the concept of 'Dyarchy' introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919?
Dyarchy was a system of dual governance introduced in the provinces. Under this system, all provincial subjects were divided into two categories:
- Transferred Subjects: These were administered by the Governor with the help of Indian ministers responsible to the legislative council. Examples include education and health.
- Reserved Subjects: These were administered by the Governor and his executive council without being responsible to the legislative council. Examples include finance, law, and order.
This system gave some responsibility to Indian ministers but kept the real power in British hands.
6. How did the Government of India Act of 1935 lay the foundation for the future Constitution of India?
The Government of India Act, 1935 was a very detailed document that served as a blueprint for the Constitution of India. Many key features of our current constitution, such as the concept of an All-India Federation, the division of powers into Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent lists, the establishment of a Federal Court (which later became the Supreme Court), and the office of the Governor, were directly borrowed from this Act.
7. What is the main difference between the Government of India Act of 1919 and the Act of 1935?
The main difference lies in the level of autonomy granted. The Act of 1919 introduced dyarchy only at the provincial level, keeping central control tight. In contrast, the Act of 1935 proposed dyarchy at the central level and granted a much greater degree of autonomy to the provinces, abolishing the dyarchy system there and introducing 'provincial autonomy'. The 1935 Act was far more comprehensive and aimed to create a federal structure.
8. Why did the introduction of 'communal representation' in acts like the one in 1909 become a major point of contention?
The introduction of communal electorates (or separate electorates) by the Indian Councils Act of 1909 became a major issue because it divided the electorate based on religion. It meant that only Muslims could vote for Muslim candidates in designated constituencies. This was seen by Indian nationalists as a 'divide and rule' policy by the British to weaken the nationalist movement and prevent Hindu-Muslim unity. This principle was expanded in later acts, further deepening social divisions.
