| Act / Year | Key Provisions / Significance |
|---|---|
| Regulating Act, 1773 | • First step by British Parliament to control East India Company • Governor of Bengal → Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings) • Executive Council of 4 members • Bombay & Madras subordinated to Bengal • Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774), Chief Justice: Sir Elijah Impey • Laid foundation for centralised administration |
| Pitt’s India Act, 1784 | • Introduced Dual Government (Company + Crown) • Company subordinate to British State • Board of Control (6 members): Secretary of State (Chairman), Chancellor of Exchequer + 4 Crown nominees • Civil, military & revenue matters under Board • Separated Company’s commercial & political roles • Council members reduced to 3 • Officials to declare property |
| Charter Act, 1793 | • Company’s rule extended for 20 years • Permanent Settlement continued • Governor-General & Council strengthened • Salaries paid from Indian revenues |
| Charter Act, 1813 | • Ended Company’s trade monopoly (except tea & China trade) • Allowed missionaries • Local governments empowered to collect taxes • Funds for education |
| Charter Act, 1833 | • Governor-General of Bengal → Governor-General of India • Ended Company’s commercial activities • Centralisation of legislative powers • Law Commission set up (Macaulay) |
| Government of India Act, 1858 | • Abolished Company rule • India under British Crown • Secretary of State for India & India Office (London) • Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858) issued • Lord Canning became first Viceroy • Ended dual control |
| Indian Councils Act, 1861 | • Legislative councils expanded • Portfolio system introduced (Lord Canning) • Added 5th member to Executive Council • Ordinance-making power to Governor-General |
| Indian Councils Act, 1892 | • Indirect elections introduced • Budget discussion allowed • Non-official majority in provincial councils |
| Indian Councils Act, 1909 | • Separate Electorate for Muslims • Indian members in Executive Councils • Imperial Legislative Council formed • Expanded powers of councils |
| Government of India Act, 1919 | • Dyarchy in provinces • Bicameral legislature at Centre • Secretary of State paid from British exchequer • Annie Besant: “Unworthy of England”, Gandhi: “Sunless Dawn” |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | • Provincial autonomy • Federal structure proposed • Dyarchy abolished in provinces • Residuary powers with Governor-General • Bicameralism in provinces, women legislators allowed |