SSC
The Act which abolished the rule of the English East India Company and the Board of Control, and transferred the government of India to the British Crown, was the:
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Answer: Option A — Government of India Act, 1858
Detailed Solution
The Government of India Act of 1858 (the "Act for the Better Government of India") abolished the rule of the English East India Company and transferred the government of India to the British Crown.
Background:
- After the Revolt of 1857, the British government decided that a trading company could no longer be responsible for ruling a vast country like India.
- The Act was passed by the British Parliament in August 1858.
Main provisions:
- The rule of the East India Company came to an end, and India was to be governed directly by and in the name of the British Crown.
- The Board of Control and the Court of Directors were abolished; this ended the system of "double government" introduced by Pitt's India Act (1784).
- A new office of Secretary of State for India was created; he was a member of the British Cabinet and was responsible to Parliament for the government of India.
- A Council of India with 15 members was set up to advise the Secretary of State.
- The Governor-General of India was given the title of Viceroy, as the representative of the Crown.
- The Indian Civil Service was to be under the control of the Secretary of State.
Significance:
- It marked the end of Company rule and the beginning of Crown rule in India.
- However, the Act did not bring much change in the actual administration of India; it mainly changed the system of control from London.
- The Queen's Proclamation announced the change to the people of India.
Later Acts:
The Indian Councils Act (1861) began the association of Indians with legislative work.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Charter Act of 1853 was the last renewal of the Company's charter.
- ✗The Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892 dealt with legislative councils.
Quick tip
Remember: Government of India Act, 1858 = end of Company rule; Board of Control and Court of Directors abolished; Secretary of State for India (first: Lord Stanley) with a Council of India; Viceroy title.
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British Acts & Policies — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of British Acts & Policies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the constitutional and administrative acts passed during British rule, from the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt's India Act of 1784 to the Charter Acts, the Indian Councils Acts, the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947, along with British economic, land revenue and education policies. Exam questions usually ask what a particular act introduced: the Indian Councils Act 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims, the Government of India Act 1919 brought dyarchy to the provinces, and the 1935 Act provided for a federation and provincial autonomy. Land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari and Mahalwari) and education milestones such as Wood's Despatch (1854) are also tested. Practise the British acts and policies questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.