Reorganisation of British Empire in India

REORGANISATION OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA

• The revolt of 1857 severely jolted the British administration in India & force its reorganization
• By the Act of 1858, the power to govern was transferred from EIC to British Crown, was to be exercised by a Secretary of State for India aided by India Council responsible to British Parliament
• The India Council was just an advisory body to assist SS for India
• Govt. was to be carried on as before by GGI who was now given the title of Viceroy

• Viceroy was increasingly reduced to subordinate status in relation to British Govt. in matters of policy as well as execution of policy, aided by Executive Council of 5 members, who were heads of different departments

1. INDIAN COUNCILS ACT, 1861:-

• Enlarged the GG’s Council for the purpose of making laws in which capacity it was known as Imperial Legislative Council

• GG was authorized to add 6-12 members of whom at least half had to be non-official, who could be English or Indian (in 1892 no. was increased to 16)

• The powers of Legislative Council were limited. It could make laws but GG could veto any laws passed by it

• It had no power over executive or the budget
• The 1892 Act gave it right to discuss budget

• Prior permission was required to introduce bills relating to many subjects like public revenue, army discipline & policy towards the Indian states

• Act also provided that Legislative Councils similar to that of the Center should be established in provinces

• After 1857, municipalities began to be established in towns & after 1882, committees called district boards were set up in rural areas also
• In 1860, the budget was introduced & expected revenue from each item was listed

• Between 1870-77, steps towards financial decentralization were taken
• Central govt. – income from post offices, railway, opium & salt, custom duties

• Concurrent list – land revenues, stamp duties, excise

2. CHANGES IN ARMY:-

• Indian soldiers were excluded from artillery & arsenals

• A 2:1 ratio of Indian to European soldiers were maintained

• Later it was changed to 5:2

• All officers were English
• Companies of troops belonging to different regions, castes, tribes were combined to form a regiment

3. BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS PRINCELY STATES:-

• Queen’s proclamation of 1858 promised not to extend the British territories in India & to respect the rights, dignity & honor of Indian princes
• Many Jagirdars were raised to status of princely states
• British was acknowledged as Paramount power

• By the Act of 1876 Queen Victoria assumed title of Empress of India

• After 1857, the British followed a systematic policy of dividing the Hindus & Muslims

• Muslims were held to be the chief enemies of British & responsible for Revolt of 1857
• Later on the anti-Muslim policy was reversed