The Indian Constitution did not appear suddenly in 1950.
Its roots go back to the laws made during British rule, especially after the East India Company became a political power in India.
From the Regulating Act of 1773 to the Indian Independence Act of 1947, each law added something important to India’s administrative and constitutional development.
Table of Contents
Regulating Act, 1773
The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first major step by the British Parliament to control the affairs of the East India Company in India.
Important Features
- The British Parliament started regulating the Company’s affairs in India.
- The Governor of Bengal became the Governor-General of Bengal.
- Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal.
- The Governors of Bombay and Madras were placed under the Governor-General of Bengal.
- A Supreme Court was established at Calcutta.
- Sir Elijah Impey became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at Calcutta.
- Company servants were prohibited from private trade and accepting bribes from Indians.
Exam Importance
This Act is important because it marked the beginning of British parliamentary control over India.
Pitt’s India Act, 1784
The Pitt’s India Act, 1784 further strengthened British control over the Company.
Important Features
- It separated the commercial and political functions of the Company.
- The Court of Directors continued to manage commercial affairs.
- The Board of Control was created to manage political affairs.
- Company territories in India were called British Possessions in India.
- Governor’s Councils were established in Madras and Bombay.
Charter Act, 1813
The Charter Act of 1813 reduced the trade monopoly of the East India Company.
Important Features
- The Company’s trade monopoly in India ended.
- Monopoly continued only in trade with China and trade in tea.
- For the first time, one lakh rupees was provided for promotion of education in India.
Real-World Link
This Act is often connected with the beginning of state-supported education policy in British India.
Charter Act, 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 was a major step toward centralised administration in India.
Important Features
- The Governor-General of Bengal became the Governor-General of India.
- Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India.
- Bombay and Madras Presidencies became subordinate to the Governor-General of India.
- The Company’s trade monopoly with China ended.
- The East India Company became a purely administrative body.
Charter Act, 1853
The Charter Act of 1853 introduced important changes in legislation and civil services.
Important Features
- Legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General’s Council were separated.
- Six members were appointed to the Central Legislative Council.
- Four members were appointed by provincial governments of Madras, Bombay, Bengal, and Agra.
- Open competition was introduced for recruitment in civil services.
Government Of India Act, 1858
The Government of India Act, 1858 was passed after the Revolt of 1857.
It ended Company rule and transferred control of India to the British Crown.
Important Features
- Rule of the East India Company ended.
- India came under direct rule of the British Crown.
- The Secretary of State for India exercised powers on behalf of the Crown.
- The Governor-General became the Viceroy of India.
- Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India.
- The Board of Control and Court of Directors were abolished.
Indian Councils Act, 1861
The Indian Councils Act, 1861 introduced limited Indian representation in governance.
Important Features
- Indians were nominated to the Viceroy’s Executive and Legislative Councils.
- Three nominated Indians were Raja of Benaras, Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir Dinkar Rao.
- It introduced the Portfolio System.
- It restored legislative powers to Bombay and Madras.
- Legislative Councils were established at central and provincial levels.
Indian Councils Act, 1892
The Indian Councils Act, 1892 expanded the role of Legislative Councils.
Important Features
- It introduced indirect elections.
- Legislative Councils were given the power to discuss the Budget.
- Members could ask questions to the Executive.
Indian Councils Act, 1909
The Indian Councils Act, 1909 is also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms.
Important Features
- The Central Legislative Council was renamed the Imperial Legislative Council.
- It introduced communal representation for Muslims.
- It accepted the concept of separate electorate.
- Satyendra Prasanna Sinha became the first Indian member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council.
Exam Note
The system of separate electorate began under the Indian Councils Act, 1909.
Government Of India Act, 1919
The Government of India Act, 1919 is also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
Important Features
- It introduced Dyarchy in provinces.
- It introduced bicameralism at the Centre for the first time.
- The Legislative Assembly had 140 members.
- The Legislative Council had 60 members.
- Three of the six members of the Viceroy’s Council were to be Indians.
- It provided for the establishment of the Public Service Commission.
Government Of India Act, 1935
The Government of India Act, 1935 was one of the most important constitutional developments before independence.
Important Features
- It introduced provincial autonomy.
- It proposed Dyarchy at the Centre, but it was not implemented.
- It provided for an All-India Federation of provinces and princely states.
- It introduced bicameralism in 6 out of 11 provinces.
- It established the Federal Court of India.
- It also established the Reserve Bank of India.
Exam Note
Many provisions of the Indian Constitution were influenced by the Government of India Act, 1935.
Indian Independence Act, 1947
The Indian Independence Act, 1947 ended British rule in India.
Important Features
- India was declared an independent and sovereign state.
- Governor-General and provincial Governors became constitutional heads.
- The Constituent Assembly received both constituent and legislative powers.
- The Constituent Assembly became a fully sovereign body.
Important Acts At A Glance
| Act | Main Contribution |
|---|---|
| Regulating Act, 1773 | British Parliament began controlling Company affairs |
| Pitt’s India Act, 1784 | Separated commercial and political functions |
| Charter Act, 1813 | Ended Company trade monopoly except tea and China trade |
| Charter Act, 1833 | Governor-General of Bengal became Governor-General of India |
| Charter Act, 1853 | Open competition introduced for civil services |
| Government of India Act, 1858 | Company rule ended; Crown rule began |
| Indian Councils Act, 1861 | Indian representation and Portfolio System introduced |
| Indian Councils Act, 1892 | Indirect elections introduced |
| Indian Councils Act, 1909 | Separate electorate introduced |
| Government of India Act, 1919 | Dyarchy in provinces and bicameralism at Centre |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | Provincial autonomy and federal scheme |
| Indian Independence Act, 1947 | India became independent and sovereign |
FAQs On Historical Background Of The Indian Constitution
What was the first British Act to regulate the East India Company in India?
The Regulating Act, 1773 was the first major Act through which the British Parliament started controlling the affairs of the East India Company in India.
Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal?
Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal.
Who was the first Governor-General of India?
Lord William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India under the Charter Act, 1833.
Which Act ended Company rule in India?
The Government of India Act, 1858 ended the rule of the East India Company and transferred India’s administration to the British Crown.
Which Act introduced separate electorate in India?
The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced separate electorate for Muslims.
Which Act introduced dyarchy in provinces?
The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dyarchy in provinces.
Which Act introduced provincial autonomy?
The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced provincial autonomy.
Which Act made India independent?
The Indian Independence Act, 1947 declared India independent and sovereign.
Why is the Government of India Act, 1935 important?
It is important because it introduced provincial autonomy, proposed an All-India Federation, established the Federal Court of India, and influenced many parts of the Indian Constitution.
What is the historical background of the Indian Constitution?
The historical background of the Indian Constitution includes legal and administrative developments during British rule, especially from the Regulating Act, 1773 to the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Last Moment Exam Cheat Sheet – Historical Background Of The Indian Constitution
- 1773 – Regulating Act: First British control over East India Company affairs in India.
- 1784 – Pitt’s India Act: Separated commercial and political functions.
- 1813 – Charter Act: Ended Company trade monopoly except tea and China trade.
- 1833 – Charter Act: Governor-General of Bengal became Governor-General of India.
- 1853 – Charter Act: Open competition introduced for civil services.
- 1858 – Government of India Act: Company rule ended; Crown rule began.
- 1861 – Indian Councils Act: Indian representation and Portfolio System introduced.
- 1892 – Indian Councils Act: Indirect elections introduced.
- 1909 – Morley-Minto Reforms: Separate electorate introduced.
- 1919 – Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms: Dyarchy in provinces introduced.
- 1935 – Government of India Act: Provincial autonomy introduced.
- 1947 – Indian Independence Act: India became independent and sovereign.