Which of the following statements regarding Government of India Act o...
The correct answer is option 'D', i.e., 1, 2, and 3.
Explanation:
1. It created the new office of Secretary of State:
- The Government of India Act of 1858, also known as the Act for the Better Government of India, was an important piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament.
- This act transferred the administration of India from the East India Company to the British Crown.
- One of the key provisions of this act was the creation of the new office of Secretary of State for India.
- The Secretary of State became the head of the India Office and was responsible for the governance of India.
- This office replaced the Court of Directors and the Board of Control, which were the governing bodies of the East India Company.
2. It abolished the Court of Directors and Board of Control:
- As mentioned earlier, the Government of India Act of 1858 abolished the Court of Directors and the Board of Control.
- The Court of Directors was the body responsible for the day-to-day administration of the East India Company, while the Board of Control was the regulatory authority overseeing the Company's activities.
- With the transfer of power from the Company to the British Crown, these bodies were no longer required, and their functions were taken over by the new office of Secretary of State.
3. Viceroy was made the direct representative of the British Crown in India:
- Another important provision of the Government of India Act of 1858 was the establishment of the office of Viceroy.
- The Viceroy, appointed by the British Crown, became the direct representative of the Crown in India.
- The Viceroy was responsible for the governance of India and held significant powers and authority.
- This provision strengthened the direct control of the British government over India and marked a significant shift in the administration of the country.
In conclusion, the Government of India Act of 1858 created the new office of Secretary of State, abolished the Court of Directors and Board of Control, and made the Viceroy the direct representative of the British Crown in India.
Which of the following statements regarding Government of India Act o...
- The 1858 Act is also known as the Act for the Good Government of India; it abolished the East India Company, and transferred the powers of government, territories and revenues to the British Crown. Features of the Act:
- It created a new office, Secretary of State for India, vested with complete authority and control over Indian administration. Hence, statement 1 is correct. The secretary of state was a member of the British cabinet and was responsible ultimately to the British Parliament.
- It ended the system of double government by abolishing the Board of Control and Court of Directors. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- It provided that India henceforth was to be governed by, and in the name of, Her Majesty. It changed the designation of the Governor-General of India to that of Viceroy of India. He (Viceroy) was the direct representative of the British Crown in India. Lord Canning thus became the first Viceroy of India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
- It established a 15-member Council of India to assist the secretary of state for India. The council was an advisory body. The secretary of state was made the chairman of the council.
- It constituted the secretary of state-in-council as a body corporate, capable of suing and being sued in India and in England.
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