📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Company Rule (1773–1858)
| Act | Key provisions |
|---|---|
| Regulating Act 1773 | Governor of Bengal became Governor-General of Bengal (first: Warren Hastings); Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774); first parliamentary control over the Company. |
| Pitt's India Act 1784 | Double government: Court of Directors (commerce) + Board of Control (political); Company territories first called "British possessions in India". |
| Amending Act 1781 (Act of Settlement) | Removed defects of the Regulating Act; official acts of the Governor-General and Council made immune from the Supreme Court's jurisdiction; revenue matters and official acts of Company servants also excluded; court to respect personal laws (Hindu/Muslim). |
| Act of 1786 | Passed on Lord Cornwallis's terms — Governor-General empowered to override his council in special cases; Governor-General could also be Commander-in-Chief. |
| Charter Act 1793 | Company's trade monopoly extended for 20 years; council-override power extended to all future Governors-General and Governors; greater Governor-General control over Madras and Bombay; salaries of Board of Control members and staff charged to Indian revenues. |
| Charter Act 1813 | Ended the Company's trade monopoly (except tea and trade with China); ₹1 lakh for education. |
| Charter Act 1833 | Governor-General of India (first: Lord William Bentinck); final step of centralisation; Company became purely administrative. |
| Charter Act 1853 | Separated legislative and executive functions; open competition for civil services; local representation in the central legislative council for the first time. |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- First Governor-General of India = Bentinck (1833); first Governor-General of Bengal = Hastings (1773).
📌 2. Crown Rule (1858–1947)
| Act | Key provisions |
|---|---|
| Government of India Act 1858 | Rule passed from the Company to the British Crown; Governor-General became Viceroy (first: Lord Canning); Secretary of State for India with a 15-member council. |
| Indian Councils Act 1861 | Indians nominated to law-making; portfolio system recognised (Lord Canning); Viceroy got ordinance power. |
| Indian Councils Act 1892 | Limited indirect election; right to discuss the budget, but not vote on it. |
| Morley-Minto Act 1909 | Separate electorate for Muslims — Lord Minto "father of communal electorate"; first Indian in the Viceroy's Executive Council — Satyendra Prasanno Sinha. |
| Montagu-Chelmsford Act 1919 | Dyarchy in provinces — transferred and reserved subjects; bicameralism at the Centre; direct elections; Public Service Commission (1926). |
| Government of India Act 1935 | 321 sections, 10 schedules; All-India Federation (never formed); provincial dyarchy ended and provincial autonomy began; dyarchy at the Centre; three lists; provided for RBI (set up under the RBI Act 1934, began operations on 1 April 1935), Federal Court (1937), Federal PSC. |
| Indian Independence Act 1947 | India independent and sovereign from 15 Aug 1947; legislative power to the Constituent Assembly; office of Viceroy abolished; British monarch dropped the title "Emperor of India" (the Act gave assent; the formal royal proclamation came on 22 June 1948). |
💡 Memory Tip: 1909 = separate electorate, 1919 = dyarchy in provinces, 1935 = dyarchy at Centre and provincial autonomy.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- The 1935 Act is the largest single source of our Constitution — most of the administrative framework comes from it.
- The 1919 Act extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
📌 3. Context between 1919 and 1935
| Event | Key points |
|---|---|
| Simon Commission (1927) | Appointed Nov 1927, 7 British MPs (chair John Simon), no Indian member → "Simon Go Back" boycott; report (1930): abolish provincial dyarchy, provincial autonomy, a federation. |
| Nehru Report (1928) | All-parties committee chaired by Motilal Nehru; first constitution drafted by Indians; dominion status, 19 fundamental rights, joint electorates with reserved seats instead of separate electorates, linguistic provinces; rejected by Muslim League (Jinnah), who gave his 14 Points (1929). |
| Round Table Conferences (1930–32) | Three conferences in London: 1st (Nov 1930–Jan 1931) — Congress absent; 2nd (Sep–Dec 1931) — Gandhi sole Congress representative after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact; 3rd (Nov–Dec 1932) — Congress absent; Dr Ambedkar attended all three; outcome: White Paper (1933) → Act of 1935. |
| Communal Award (16 Aug 1932) | By British PM Ramsay MacDonald; besides Muslims, Sikhs etc., separate electorates also for the Depressed Classes; Gandhi began a fast unto death in Yerwada jail. |
| Poona Pact (24 Sep 1932) | Between Gandhi and Dr Ambedkar (with Madan Mohan Malaviya and others); Depressed Classes gave up separate electorates for reserved seats in joint electorates; provincial seats raised from 71 to 148; 18% of general seats in the Central Legislature. |
1919 vs 1935 Act — comparison
| Point | 1919 Act | 1935 Act |
|---|---|---|
| Dyarchy | In provinces | At the Centre (never implemented); ended in provinces |
| Provinces | Transferred and reserved subjects | Provincial autonomy (from 1937) |
| Division of subjects | Central and provincial lists | Three lists — Federal, Provincial, Concurrent |
| Bicameralism | At the Centre | Also in 6 provinces |
| Separate electorates | Extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans | Extended to Depressed Classes, women and labour |
| Institutions | Public Service Commission (1926) | Federal Court, Federal/Provincial PSCs, provided for RBI |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927, arrived in India in 1928; report in 1930.
- The Poona Pact replaced separate electorates with joint electorates + reserved seats — seats rose (71 → 148), not fell.
📌 4. Pre-Independence Plans
| Plan | Main proposals | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| August Offer (1940) | Linlithgow; first acceptance that Indians would mainly frame the constitution; dominion status as goal; expanded Viceroy's Executive Council; War Advisory Council; no constitution without minorities' consent. | Rejected by Congress; League also dissatisfied (wanted Pakistan). |
| Cripps Mission (1942) | Dominion status after the war; elected constitution-making body; provinces could opt out; defence stays with Britain. Gandhi: "a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank". | Rejected by both Congress and Muslim League → Quit India Movement. |
| Wavell Plan (1945) | Simla Conference (June–July 1945); all Executive Council members Indian except the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief; parity between caste Hindus and Muslims. | Failed — Jinnah insisted the League alone would nominate all Muslim members. |
| Cabinet Mission (1946) | Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps, A.V. Alexander; rejected Pakistan; three groups of provinces (A, B, C); Constituent Assembly — 389 members, indirectly elected by provincial assemblies; interim government. | Initially accepted by both Congress and League; League later withdrew (Direct Action Day, 16 Aug 1946); Constituent Assembly formed under it. |
| Mountbatten Plan (3 June 1947) | Partition — two dominions, India and Pakistan; Punjab and Bengal assemblies to vote on partition; referendums in NWFP and Sylhet; princely states free to join either dominion. | Accepted by both Congress and League → Indian Independence Act 1947. |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Wavell Plan and Simla Conference (1945) are the same effort; the Constituent Assembly came from the Cabinet Mission (1946), not Cripps (1942).
📌 5. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Under the Regulating Act 1773, Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal.
Under the Regulating Act 1773, Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal.
Q2. Which Act made the Governor-General of Bengal the "Governor-General of India"? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The Charter Act 1833 made Lord William Bentinck the first Governor-General of India.
The Charter Act 1833 made Lord William Bentinck the first Governor-General of India.
Q3. Under which Act was the Supreme Court at Calcutta established? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The Regulating Act 1773 led to the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774.
The Regulating Act 1773 led to the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774.
Q4. The "Board of Control" was created by which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Pitt's India Act created double government — Court of Directors for commerce, Board of Control for political affairs.
Pitt's India Act created double government — Court of Directors for commerce, Board of Control for political affairs.
Q5. The system of open competition for civil services was introduced by which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Charter Act 1853 introduced open competition for the civil services.
The Charter Act 1853 introduced open competition for the civil services.
Q6. Who was the first Viceroy of India? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
After the 1858 Act the Governor-General was styled Viceroy; Lord Canning was the first.
After the 1858 Act the Governor-General was styled Viceroy; Lord Canning was the first.
Q7. The office of "Secretary of State for India" was created by which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The 1858 Act created the Secretary of State with a 15-member council.
The 1858 Act created the Secretary of State with a 15-member council.
Q8. Which Act gave recognition to the portfolio system? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The 1861 Act recognised the portfolio system started by Lord Canning.
The 1861 Act recognised the portfolio system started by Lord Canning.
Q9. Separate electorate for Muslims was introduced by which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) introduced separate electorates; Minto is called the "father of communal electorate".
The Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) introduced separate electorates; Minto is called the "father of communal electorate".
Q10. Who was the first Indian to join the Viceroy's Executive Council? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
After the 1909 Act, Satyendra Prasanno Sinha became the Law Member.
After the 1909 Act, Satyendra Prasanno Sinha became the Law Member.
Q11. Which Act introduced dyarchy in the provinces? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) divided provincial subjects into transferred and reserved.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) divided provincial subjects into transferred and reserved.
Q12. Bicameralism at the Centre was first introduced by which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The 1919 Act created two houses at the Centre — the Legislative Assembly and the Council of State.
The 1919 Act created two houses at the Centre — the Legislative Assembly and the Council of State.
Q13. Provincial autonomy was granted by which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The 1935 Act abolished provincial dyarchy and introduced provincial autonomy.
The 1935 Act abolished provincial dyarchy and introduced provincial autonomy.
Q14. Which statement about the Government of India Act 1935 is NOT correct? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The All-India Federation never came into being as princely states did not join; the other three statements are correct.
The All-India Federation never came into being as princely states did not join; the other three statements are correct.
Q15. What is the largest single source of the Indian Constitution? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Most of the administrative framework (federal scheme, Governor, judiciary, PSCs, emergency) comes from the 1935 Act.
Most of the administrative framework (federal scheme, Governor, judiciary, PSCs, emergency) comes from the 1935 Act.
Q16. Which proposal did Gandhi call "a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank"? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Gandhi described the 1942 Cripps proposals this way.
Gandhi described the 1942 Cripps proposals this way.
Q17. The Constituent Assembly was constituted under which plan? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The Cabinet Mission (1946) fixed the scheme of the Constituent Assembly (389 members).
The Cabinet Mission (1946) fixed the scheme of the Constituent Assembly (389 members).
Q18. Which Act ended the Company's trade monopoly in India (except tea and trade with China)? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The Charter Act 1813 ended this monopoly; in 1833 the Company's commercial activities ended entirely.
The Charter Act 1813 ended this monopoly; in 1833 the Company's commercial activities ended entirely.
Q19. Which Act gave the Constituent Assembly full legislative power? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The Independence Act 1947 also made the Constituent Assembly a sovereign legislative body.
The Independence Act 1947 also made the Constituent Assembly a sovereign legislative body.
Q20. Arrange chronologically: (1) Pitt's India Act (2) Regulating Act (3) Charter Act 1833 (4) Government of India Act 1858 Practice
Correct answer: (C)
1773 (Regulating) → 1784 (Pitt's) → 1833 → 1858.
1773 (Regulating) → 1784 (Pitt's) → 1833 → 1858.
Q21. Consider the statements about the Amending Act 1781 (Act of Settlement):
1. It exempted official acts of the Governor-General and Council from the Supreme Court's jurisdiction.
2. It kept revenue matters out of the Supreme Court's jurisdiction.
3. It set up the Board of Control.
Which statements are correct? Practice
1. It exempted official acts of the Governor-General and Council from the Supreme Court's jurisdiction.
2. It kept revenue matters out of the Supreme Court's jurisdiction.
3. It set up the Board of Control.
Which statements are correct? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Board of Control came from Pitt's India Act 1784; statements 1 and 2 are correct provisions of the Act of Settlement 1781.
The Board of Control came from Pitt's India Act 1784; statements 1 and 2 are correct provisions of the Act of Settlement 1781.
Q22. Assertion (A): The Act of 1786 allowed Lord Cornwallis to be Commander-in-Chief along with Governor-General.
Reason (R): The Act of 1786 gave the Governor-General power to override his council in special cases. Practice
Reason (R): The Act of 1786 gave the Governor-General power to override his council in special cases. Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Both were provisions of the 1786 Act (Cornwallis's conditions), but the council-override power does not explain why he could also be Commander-in-Chief.
Both were provisions of the 1786 Act (Cornwallis's conditions), but the council-override power does not explain why he could also be Commander-in-Chief.
Q23. Which statement about the Charter Act 1793 is NOT correct? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The monopoly was extended for 20 years in 1793; it was ended by the Charter Act 1813 (except tea and trade with China).
The monopoly was extended for 20 years in 1793; it was ended by the Charter Act 1813 (except tea and trade with China).
Q24. Match the following:
List-I: (a) Simon Commission (b) Nehru Report (c) Communal Award (d) Poona Pact
List-II: (1) 1928 (2) 24 September 1932 (3) 1927 (4) 16 August 1932 Practice
List-I: (a) Simon Commission (b) Nehru Report (c) Communal Award (d) Poona Pact
List-II: (1) 1928 (2) 24 September 1932 (3) 1927 (4) 16 August 1932 Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Simon Commission Nov 1927, Nehru Report 1928, Communal Award 16 Aug 1932, Poona Pact 24 Sep 1932.
Simon Commission Nov 1927, Nehru Report 1928, Communal Award 16 Aug 1932, Poona Pact 24 Sep 1932.
Q25. Assertion (A): The Simon Commission was widely boycotted in India.
Reason (R): The Simon Commission had no Indian member. Practice
Reason (R): The Simon Commission had no Indian member. Practice
Correct answer: (A)
All 7 members were British MPs; this is why it was boycotted with the slogan "Simon Go Back".
All 7 members were British MPs; this is why it was boycotted with the slogan "Simon Go Back".
Q26. Consider the statements about the Nehru Report (1928):
1. It demanded Purna Swaraj.
2. It suggested joint electorates with reserved seats instead of separate electorates.
3. It included a list of fundamental rights.
Which statements are correct? Practice
1. It demanded Purna Swaraj.
2. It suggested joint electorates with reserved seats instead of separate electorates.
3. It included a list of fundamental rights.
Which statements are correct? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Nehru Report sought dominion status; the Purna Swaraj resolution was passed at the Lahore session (1929).
The Nehru Report sought dominion status; the Purna Swaraj resolution was passed at the Lahore session (1929).
Q27. Which statement about the Round Table Conferences is correct? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
After the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931), Gandhi was Congress's sole representative at the second conference (Sep–Dec 1931); Congress was absent from the first (1930–31) and third (1932).
After the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931), Gandhi was Congress's sole representative at the second conference (Sep–Dec 1931); Congress was absent from the first (1930–31) and third (1932).
Q28. Consider the statements about the Poona Pact (1932):
1. The Depressed Classes gave up separate electorates for reserved seats in joint electorates.
2. Reserved seats in provincial legislatures rose from 71 to 148.
3. It was an agreement between Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Which statements are correct? Practice
1. The Depressed Classes gave up separate electorates for reserved seats in joint electorates.
2. Reserved seats in provincial legislatures rose from 71 to 148.
3. It was an agreement between Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Which statements are correct? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The Poona Pact was between Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar, not Jinnah.
The Poona Pact was between Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar, not Jinnah.
Q29. Match the following (Plan — Outcome):
List-I: (a) Cripps Mission 1942 (b) Wavell Plan 1945 (c) Cabinet Mission 1946 (d) Mountbatten Plan 1947
List-II: (1) Simla Conference failed (2) Constituent Assembly formed (3) Rejected by both Congress and League (4) Partition; accepted by both Congress and League Practice
List-I: (a) Cripps Mission 1942 (b) Wavell Plan 1945 (c) Cabinet Mission 1946 (d) Mountbatten Plan 1947
List-II: (1) Simla Conference failed (2) Constituent Assembly formed (3) Rejected by both Congress and League (4) Partition; accepted by both Congress and League Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Both parties rejected Cripps; the Wavell Plan failed at the Simla Conference (1945); the Cabinet Mission led to the Constituent Assembly; the Mountbatten Plan brought partition, accepted by both.
Both parties rejected Cripps; the Wavell Plan failed at the Simla Conference (1945); the Cabinet Mission led to the Constituent Assembly; the Mountbatten Plan brought partition, accepted by both.
Q30. Which pairing about the 1919 and 1935 Acts is NOT correct? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The three lists came from the 1935 Act; the 1919 Act had only central and provincial subjects.
The three lists came from the 1935 Act; the 1919 Act had only central and provincial subjects.