Charter Act of 1793
The key features of this Act were:
- Extended Power: The Act extended the overriding power initially granted to Lord Cornwallis over his council to all future Governor-Generals and Governors of Presidencies.
- Increased Control: It gave the Governor-General more authority and control over the subordinate Presidencies of Bombay and Madras.
- Trade Monopoly: The Act extended the East India Company's trade monopoly in India for an additional 20 years.
- Commander-in-Chief's Role: The Commander-in-Chief was not automatically a member of the Governor-General's council unless explicitly appointed.
- Payment from Indian Revenues: The Act stipulated that members of the Board of Control and their staff would be paid from Indian revenues.
Charter Act of 1813
The key features of this Act were as follows:
- Abolition of Trade Monopoly: The Act abolished the East India Company's trade monopoly in India, opening Indian trade to all British merchants. However, the Company retained its monopoly on trade in tea and trade with China.
- Asserted British Sovereignty: The Act asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Company's territories in India.
- Christian Missionaries: It allowed Christian missionaries to come to India to promote the spread of Christianity and enlighten the local population.
- Spread of Western Education: The Act promoted the spread of western education among the inhabitants of the British territories in India.
- Taxation Authority: It authorized local governments in India to impose taxes on individuals and provided them with the power to punish those who did not pay their taxes.
Charter Act of 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 was a significant step towards centralization in British India. Its key features were:
- Governor-General of India: The Act made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India, vesting him with all civil and military powers. Lord William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India.
- Exclusive Legislative Powers: The Act gave the Governor-General of India exclusive legislative authority over all of British India, taking legislative powers away from the Governors of Bombay and Madras.
- End of Commercial Activities: The Act ended the East India Company's commercial functions, making it purely administrative. The Company's territories were held "in trust for His Majesty, His heirs and successors."
- Open Competition and Equal Opportunity: The Act proposed open competition for civil servant selection and stated that Indians should not be barred from holding positions under the Company. However, opposition from the Court of Directors hindered implementation.
Charter Act of 1853
The Charter Act of 1853 was a significant change in the governance of India under British rule:
- Separate Legislative Council: It separated the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General's Council and established the Indian (Central) Legislative Council, which acted like a mini-Parliament.
- Civil Service Reform: The Act introduced open competition for civil service positions, allowing Indians to compete. The Macaulay Committee was formed in 1854 to oversee these changes.
- Company Rule Extension: The Act allowed the East India Company to continue governing Indian territories without a set end date, implying that Parliament could end Company rule at any time.
- Local Representation: The Act included local representation in the Indian (Central) Legislative Council. Four of the six new members were chosen by the local governments of Madras, Bombay, Bengal, and Agra.
