Constitutional Acts before 1857

Regulating Act, 1773

First step by the British Parliament to control the administration of the East India Company in India.

Regulating Act, 1773

Governor of Bengal became Governor-General of Bengal.

Regulating Act, 1773

Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal.

Regulating Act, 1773

Executive Council of 4 members created for the Governor-General.

Regulating Act, 1773

Bombay and Madras Presidencies were subordinated to Bengal Presidency.

Regulating Act, 1773

Supreme Court established at Calcutta in 1774.

Regulating Act, 1773

Prohibited Company servants from private trade and accepting bribes.

Pitt’s India Act, 1784

Distinguished commercial and political functions of the Company.

Pitt’s India Act, 1784

Created Board of Control to manage political affairs in India.

Pitt’s India Act, 1784

Reduced Governor-General’s Council members from 4 to 3.

Pitt’s India Act, 1784

British Government got supreme control over Company administration.

Pitt’s India Act, 1784

Company territories in India called “British possessions in India”.

Charter Act, 1793

Extended Company rule in India for 20 years.

Charter Act, 1793

Trade monopoly of the Company continued.

Charter Act, 1793

Governor-General’s powers over Presidencies were strengthened.

Charter Act, 1793

Company officials’ salaries were paid from Indian revenues.

Charter Act, 1813

Ended Company’s trade monopoly except tea trade and trade with China.

Charter Act, 1813

Allowed Christian missionaries to enter India.

Charter Act, 1813

Allowed European settlers in India with restrictions.

Charter Act, 1813

₹1 lakh annually allocated for education.

Charter Act, 1813

Asserted sovereignty of the British Crown over Company territories.

Charter Act, 1833

Ended all commercial activities of the Company.

Charter Act, 1833

Governor-General of Bengal became Governor-General of India.

Charter Act, 1833

Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India.

Charter Act, 1833

Centralized legislative powers in the hands of Governor-General.

Charter Act, 1833

Madras and Bombay Presidencies lost legislative powers.

Charter Act, 1833

Added a law member to Governor-General’s Council.

Charter Act, 1833

Opened government jobs to Indians without discrimination.

Charter Act, 1833

First Law Commission formed under Thomas Babington Macaulay.

Charter Act, 1853

Last Charter Act passed for the Company.

Charter Act, 1853

Separated legislative and executive functions of Governor-General’s Council.

Charter Act, 1853

Introduced separate legislative council.

Charter Act, 1853

Opened civil services through competitive examination.

Charter Act, 1853

Did not fix any time limit for Company rule.

Charter Act, 1853

Introduced local representation in legislative council.