The Company Rule (1773- 1858)- Part IV : Charter Act (1853)

The Company Rule (1773- 1858) - Part IV

Charter Act of 1853:

This was the last of the series of Charter Acts passed by the British Parliament between 1793 to 1853. It was a significant constitutional landmark.

Features of Act:

• It separated, for the first time, the legislative and executive functions of the Council of Governor-General. It provided for the addition of six (6) new members called legislative councilors to the council.

• It established a separate legislative council of Governor-General, which came to be known as the Indian (Central) Legislative Council. This legislative wing of the council functioned as a 'Mini Parliament' adopting the same procedures as the British Parliament. Thus, legislation for the first time was treated as a special function of the government, requiring special machinery and special process.

• It introduced an open competition system of selection and recruitment of civil servants. The covenanted civil service was thus thrown open to Indians also. According to Macaulay Committee (the Committee on the Indian Civil Servants) was appointed in 1854.

• It extended the Company's rule and allowed it to retain the possession of Indian territories on trust for the British Crown. But, it did not specify any particular period, unlike the previous Charters. This was a clear indication that the Company's rule could be terminated at any time the Parliament liked.

• It introduced, for the first time, local representation in the Indian (Central) Legislative Council. Of the six (6) new legislative members of the council of Governor-General, four (4) were appointed by the local (provincial) governments of Madras, Bombay, Bengal, and Agra.

👉Previous Page:The Company Rule (1773- 1858)- Part III : Charter Act (1833)

👉 Next Page:The Crown Rule (1858- 1947) - Part V : Montagu-Chelmssford Reforms (1919)