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| Regulating Act 1773 to Indian Independence Act 1947 |
Here is a complete timeline of major British Acts from the Regulating Act of 1773 to the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which shaped British rule and administrative evolution in India:
🧭 Timeline of Acts (1773 – 1947)
🏛️ From East India Company Rule to Indian Independence
⚖️ 1. Regulating Act, 1773
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🗓 First British Parliamentary intervention in East India Company affairs.
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👤 Created Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings – 1st).
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🏛 Established Supreme Court at Calcutta.
⚖️ 2. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
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Created Board of Control to regulate political affairs.
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Divided powers between:
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Company (Commerce)
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British Government (Politics)
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⚖️ 3. Charter Act, 1813
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Ended East India Company’s trade monopoly in India (except China).
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Allowed Christian missionaries in India.
⚖️ 4. Charter Act, 1833
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Made Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India (Lord William Bentinck – 1st).
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Ended Company’s commercial functions.
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Law-making centralized.
⚖️ 5. Charter Act, 1853
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Introduced open competition for ICS (Indian Civil Services).
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Legislative powers separated from executive.
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| Regulating Act 1773 to Indian Independence Act 1947 |
⚖️ 6. Government of India Act, 1858
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🛑 East India Company abolished after 1857 Revolt.
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India brought under British Crown.
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Created office of Secretary of State for India.
⚖️ 7. Indian Councils Act, 1861
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Introduced Indian members to Governor-General’s Council.
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Began legislative decentralization (e.g., Bombay, Madras).
⚖️ 8. Indian Councils Act, 1892
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Enlarged councils.
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Introduced indirect elections (first time).
⚖️ 9. Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley–Minto Reforms)
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Expanded legislative councils.
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Introduced separate electorates for Muslims.
⚖️ 10. Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms)
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Introduced Diarchy in provinces:
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Reserved subjects: Police, finance (British control)
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Transferred subjects: Education, health (Indian control)
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Bicameral legislature at the center: Council of State + Legislative Assembly.
⚖️ 11. Government of India Act, 1935
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📜 Most comprehensive pre-independence act.
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Proposed:
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All-India Federation (never implemented)
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Provincial Autonomy
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Abolished Diarchy in provinces
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Introduced Diarchy at the center (never implemented)
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Federal Court and Reserve Bank of India
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⚖️ 12. Indian Independence Act, 1947
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Passed by British Parliament.
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Created two dominions: India & Pakistan (from 15 Aug 1947)
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Gave full legislative sovereignty to both.
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Ended British rule; Constituent Assemblies got full powers.
📘 Summary Table
| Act | Year | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Regulating Act | 1773 | First control over EIC; Governor-General of Bengal |
| Pitt's India Act | 1784 | Board of Control; dual system |
| Charter Act | 1813 | Ended trade monopoly; missionaries allowed |
| Charter Act | 1833 | Centralized power; GG of India created |
| Charter Act | 1853 | Open ICS exam; separate legislative-executive |
| Government of India Act | 1858 | End of EIC; Crown rule begins |
| Indian Councils Act | 1861 | Indian members added; decentralization |
| Indian Councils Act | 1892 | Indirect elections |
| Indian Councils Act | 1909 | Separate electorate for Muslims |
| Government of India Act | 1919 | Diarchy; provincial councils expanded |
| Government of India Act | 1935 | Provincial autonomy; Federal Court |
| Indian Independence Act | 1947 | India–Pakistan created; British rule ends |
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