29 Dec

The Crown Rule: British Rule After 1857

Content

• Introduction
• What is Crown Rule?
• History Of Crown Rule in India
• Government of India Act, 1858  
• Indian Councils Act, 1861  
• Indian Councils Act, 1892  
• Indian Councils Act, 1909  
• Government of India Act, 1919  
• Government of India Act, 1935  
• FAQs

Introduction

Crown rule in India pertains to the period of direct control by the British crown from 1857 to 1947. After the Revolt of 1857, the British Crown, referred to as the British Raj, took over administrative authority from the East India Company. The governance of British crown rule in India extended from 1858 until India gained its independence in 1947 and is commonly referred to as “Crown Rule.”

In this article, we will explore the history, different legislations, and constitutional trials during the period of British rule in India.

What is Crown Rule?

Crown rule denotes the direct governance of the Indian subcontinent by the British Crown. This initiated in 1858 after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The British Crown, represented by Queen Victoria, assumed authority from the East India Company. Crown rule persisted until 1947, when India achieved independence.

History Of Crown Rule in India

The Crown Rule in India signifies British colonial governance from 1858 to 1947, during which the British Crown directly administered India. This era followed the Revolt of 1857, also referred to as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Indian Independence, a crucial insurrection against British dominance in India. Throughout Crown Rule, the British government implemented measures to reinforce British authority in India and advance British interests.

This encompassed the formation of a centralized government, the introduction of English education and Western legal frameworks, the development of railways and telegraph systems, as well as the establishment of the Indian Army. However, Indians frequently condemned these measures for exploiting and oppressing the population.

Various legislative acts and constitutional initiatives under Crown Rule include:

Government of India Act, 1858  

• The British Parliament enacted the Government of India Act, 1858 after the Revolt of 1857.
• It is commonly referred to as the First War of Independence or the sepoy mutiny.  
• The Act for the Good Government of India transferred governmental powers, territory, and revenue to the British Crown, hence known as the Act for the Good Governance of India.  
• It stipulated that the British Crown would govern India in the name of Her Majesty henceforth.
• The Act abolished the Board of Control and the Court of Directors, terminating the dual governance structure.  
• It introduced a new role, Secretary of State for India, who would have full authority over Indian governance.  
• The Act established a 15-member Council of India to assist the Secretary of State for India.

Indian Councils Act, 1861  

• The Indian Councils Act of 1861 created the first representative institutions by incorporating Indians into the legislative process.  
• Consequently, the ruler had to appoint several Indians as non-official members to the expanded council.
• It initiated the decentralization movement by returning legislative powers to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies.  
• This act reversed the centralizing approach initiated by the Regulating Act of 1773, culminating with the Charter Act of 1833.  
• Additionally, it allowed for the creation of new legislative councils for Bengal, the North-Western Provinces, and Punjab, which were established in 1862, 1886, and 1897, respectively.  
• It granted the Viceroy the authority to issue rules and directives to facilitate the conduct of business within the council.  
• Furthermore, it recognized Lord Canning’s ‘portfolio’ strategy, which he introduced in 1859.  
• In emergency situations, it permitted the Viceroy to enact ordinances without the legislative council’s approval, with such ordinances having a lifespan of six months.  

Indian Councils Act, 1892  

• The establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885, along with subsequent resolutions demanding administrative reforms, led to the enactment of the Indian Councils Act of 1892.  
• This act set the stage for a representative government by allowing the head of government to appoint a specified percentage of council members.  
• It laid the foundation for a parliamentary structure by enabling legislators to raise questions and discuss the budget.  
• It also expanded internal autonomy by increasing the powers of provincial legislatures.

Indian Councils Act, 1909  

• The British government enacted the Indian Councils Act of 1909 to counter the growing support for radicals within the Indian national movement.
• Its purpose was to respond to the Indian National Congress’s consistent demands for greater involvement of Indians in the governance of the country.  
• Commonly referred to as the Morley-Minto Reforms, it was formulated by Lord Morley, the Secretary of State, and Lord Minto, the Viceroy of India.  
• This Act significantly expanded the membership of both the Central and Provincial Legislative Councils.  
• While it maintained an official majority in the Central Legislative Council, it allowed for non-official majorities in provincial legislatures.  
• Additionally, it augmented the legislative councils’ powers of deliberation at both the central and provincial levels.  
• The Act permitted the appointment of Indians to the executive councils of the Viceroy and Governors.  
• By adopting the concept of a “distinct electorate,” it introduced a system of communal representation specifically for Muslims.  
• This legislation legitimized communalism, leading to Lord Minto being termed the “Father of the Communal Electorate.”  
• It also distinguished between presidential corporations, trade associations, colleges, and zamindars.  

Government of India Act, 1919  

• The Government of India Act of 1919 was implemented in 1921.  
• This Act is also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, named after Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy.  
• It decentralized authority from the central government to the provinces by categorizing and dividing topics of governance.  
• Provincial subjects were classified into two groups: transferred and reserved.  
• The governor oversaw the transferred subjects with ministers responsible to the Legislative Council, while he and his executive council exclusively managed the reserved subjects without legislative accountability.
• This structure of governance is referred to as “dyarchy,” derived from the Greek term di – arche, meaning “double rule.”  
• It further developed communal representation by establishing distinct electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.  
• The Act introduced limited voting rights based on factors such as property, taxation, or education.  
• It created the position of High Commissioner for India in London and transferred some responsibilities from the Secretary of State for India to this new role.  
• For the first time, it separated provincial budgets from the central budget, enabling provincial legislatures to execute their own budgets.  

Government of India Act, 1935  

• The Government of India Act of 1935 represented another significant move towards a fully accountable government in India.  
• This lengthy and comprehensive document comprised 321 sections and ten schedules.  
• It called for the establishment of an All India Federation that would include provinces and princely states as its components.  
• The Act divided responsibilities between the Centre and units into three categories:  
• Federal List (designated for the Centre, consisting of 59 items),  
• The Provincial List (designated for provinces, containing 54 items), and  
• The Concurrent List (applicable to both, encompassing 36 items).  
• This Act granted residuary powers to the Viceroy; however, the union failed to materialise because the princely states refused to join.
• Additionally, it abolished dyarchy in the provinces, replacing it with ‘provincial autonomy,’ giving provinces the power to operate as autonomous administrative entities within their defined boundaries.

Conclusion  

The establishment of Crown Rule in India marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for freedom. The Revolt of 1857 represented more than just a mutiny by soldiers. And it was a manifestation of the widespread discontent, grievances, and frustration of the Indian populace toward foreign rule. Clearly, there was an urgent need for reform in the governance of the people.

FAQs

1. What is meant by the Crown Rule in India?

The Crown Rule refers to the period after 1857 when administrative control of India was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown.

2. Who governed India under the Crown Rule?

India was governed by the British Monarch through a Viceroy, assisted by the Secretary of State for India and the Indian Civil Services.

3. What changes were introduced after 1857 under the Crown?

Key changes included administrative reorganisation, restructured army, racial segregation, policy of non-interference in religion, and tighter political control.

4. How did the Crown Rule affect Indian society and economy?

The Crown Rule intensified economic exploitation, reinforced colonial bureaucracy, and laid conditions that later fueled the Indian national movement.

5. How is the Crown Rule different from Company Rule?

Unlike Company Rule, Crown Rule involved direct state control, stronger centralisation, and governance in the name of the British monarch.

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