11.Charter Act 1833, Macaulay Declaration 1835, Lord Dalhousie & Charter Act 1853

Question 1

What was the significance of the Charter Act of 1833?

Answer 1

The Charter Act of 1833 made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India with exclusive legislative powers, centralizing the administration.

Question 2

How did the Charter Act of 1833 affect the presidencies of Bombay and Madras?

Answer 2

The Charter Act drained the legislative powers of the Bombay and Madras presidencies.

Question 3

What changes were made to the East India Company (EIC) by the Charter Act of 1833?

Answer 3

The commercial functions of the East India Company were abolished, and it became a purely administrative body.

Question 4

What was the significance of the Law Commission established under the Charter Act of 1833?

Answer 4

The Law Commission, established under the Act, aimed to codify and consolidate Indian law, and the first Law Commission was appointed in 1834 under Lord Macaulay’s chairmanship.

Question 5

What social change occurred in British India as a result of the Charter Act of 1833?

Answer 5

The Act provided for the diminution of slavery in British India, and slavery was eventually abolished in India with the Act of 1843.

Question 6

What is Macaulay’s Declaration also known as?

Answer 6

Macaulay’s Declaration is also known as the ‘Minute on Indian Education.’

Question 7

Why was Macaulay’s commission established?

Answer 7

Macaulay’s commission was established due to the lack of utilization of funds for education in 1813 and the Orientalist-Anglicist Controversy.

Question 8

What was the difference between the Orientalists and the Anglicists regarding education in India?

Answer 8

The Orientalists believed in educating Indians in their native languages and scriptures, while the Anglicists advocated for Western education in the English language.

Question 9

What was the recommendation of the General Committee on Public Instruction chaired by Macaulay?

Answer 9

The committee recommended the promotion of Western education, the education of a small group of individuals to disseminate knowledge to the general public (Downward Filtration Theory), and the goal of creating ‘Indian by Blood, British by Taste.’

Question 10

What were the key decisions made in Macaulay’s Declaration regarding education in India?

Answer 10

The decisions included spending government funds on English education, making English the medium of instruction in schools and colleges, and opening only a few schools.

Question 11

What significant change was made to the Governor General’s Council under the Charter Act of 1853?

Answer 11

The legislative and executive functions of the Governor General’s Council were separated.

Question 12

What provision did the Charter Act of 1853 make regarding the legislative council?

Answer 12

It provided for a separate legislative council and the addition of six new members known as legislative councillors.

Question 13

What rights did the members of the Legislative Council have under the Charter Act of 1853?

Answer 13

Members of the Legislative Council had the right to ask questions and discuss the policies of the Executive Council.

Question 14

What power was given to the Executive Council in relation to legislation?

Answer 14

The Executive Council was given the power to veto a bill passed by the Legislative Council.

Question 15

What new system was established for civil servant selection and recruitment under the Charter Act of 1853?

Answer 15

The act established an open competition system, making the covenant civil service available to Indians as well.

Question 16

Who was appointed as the First Lieutenant Governor-General of Bengal under the provisions of the Charter Act of 1853?

Answer 16

Fredrick J Halliday.

Question 17

Which city was established as the Summer capital and Army headquarters during Lord Dalhousie’s rule?

Answer 17

Shimla.

Question 18

Where was the headquarters of the Artillery shifted to during Lord Dalhousie’s rule?

Answer 18

Meerut.

Question 19

What were the key provisions of Wood’s Dispatch of 1854?

Answer 19

Establishment of schools and colleges in every region, universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, encouragement of private establishments of educational institutions, appointment of inspectors of schools in every district, establishment of a director of education at the province level, establishment of an Engineering College in Roorkee, and establishment of an Agriculture College in Pusa, Bihar.

Question 20

What was the “Doctrine of Lapse” introduced by Lord Dalhousie?

Answer 20

It stated that when the ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir, the state would be annexed to British India unless the adoption of an heir had been previously approved by the British authorities.