Laxmikanth

Chapter 1 - Historical Background

1600 - Arrival of East India Company - exclusive right of trading - charter granted by Queen Elizabeth 1

1765 - Diwani (rights overs revenue and civil justice) of bengal, bihar and orissa

1858 - Sepoy mutiny - British crown - responsibility - governance of India - till independence 15-Aug-1947

1934 - M N Roy (Communist Movement of India) suggested Constitution need

1946 - Constituent Assembly formed

1950 - Jan 26 - Constitution formed.

The Company Rule (1773-1858)

Regulating Act of 1773

a) 1st step by British govt to control affairs of East India Company in India

b) Recognised political and administrative functions of Company

c) laid foundations of central administration in India

Features

1) Governor of Bengal to Governor General. Executive council of 4 members to assist him. 1st - Lord Warren Hastings.

2) Independent Bombay and Madras Governor to under Governor General of Bengal.

3) Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774) - 1 chief justice d 3 judges.

4) Prohibited servants of Company to engage in private trade and accept presents/bribes from natives.

5) Strengthened British Govt over Company. Court of directors (Governing body of Company) to report revenue, civil and military affairs in India.

Pitt's India Act of 1784

- rectify defects of regulating act 1773, British parliament passed Amending Act 1781 ( Act of Settlement )

Features

1) distinguished commercial and political functions of Company.

2) System of double Govt.Court of Directors - commercial. New Board of Control - political.

3) Board of Control - supervise civil and military operations or revenue of British possessions in India.

Act significance reasons

1) Company territories = British possessions

2) British Govt supreme control over Company affair and administration

Charter Act of 1833

Final step towards centralization in British India.

Features

1) Governor-General of Bengal -> Governor-General of India = civil and military powers. 1st - Lord William Bentick.

2) Governor of Bombay and Madras deprived Legislative Power. GGI = exclusive legislative power for British India. Laws under previous acts = Regulations. Laws under this act = Acts.

3) EIC from commercial to administrative body. Companies territories in India = 'in trust for his Majesty, his heirs and successors'.

4) Open Competition for Civil service - Indians also = Negated - Opposition from Court of Directors.

Charter Act of 1853

	Created by Sabera Yasmin almost 5 years ago

UPSC CSE Civil Service Note on upsc prep tracker, created by Sabera Yasmin on 10/06/2019.