14.Act of 1858 & Act of 1861

Question 1

When was the Government of India Act passed?

Answer 1

The Government of India Act was passed on August 2, 1858.

Question 2

What event led to the passing of the Government of India Act?

Answer 2

The Act was passed in the wake of the Revolt of 1857.

Question 3

What was another name for the Government of India Act?

Answer 3

The Act is also referred to as the “Act of Good Governance.”

Question 4

What happened to the East India Company under the Government of India Act?

Answer 4

The East India Company was liquidated under the Act.

Question 5

How did the Act affect the administration of India?

Answer 5

The Act made India a direct British Colony and established the Indian Civil Services to assist in the administration. Indians were also allowed to be admitted into service.

Question 6

What changes were made to the British government’s control over India?

Answer 6

The Court of Directors and the Board of Control of the East India Company were scrapped, and the powers were shifted to the Secretary of State for India. The Secretary of State had complete authority and control over the Indian Administration.

Question 7

Who was the First Secretary of State for India?

Answer 7

Lord Stanley was the First Secretary of State for India.

Question 8

Who was the First Viceroy of India?

Answer 8

Lord Canning was the First Viceroy of India.

Question 9

What was the role of the Viceroy in India?

Answer 9

The Viceroy acted as the representative of the British Crown and the head of the state of the Indian government.

Question 10

What did Queen Victoria’s Proclamation declare?

Answer 10

Queen Victoria’s Proclamation declared that she would have control over India’s administration in all aspects, assuming the role of the “Government of India.”

Question 11

What were Indian Civil Services under the Government of India Act (1858)

Answer 11

The Indian Civil Services were to be instituted to assist the smooth functioning of the administration of the country. There were provisions for Indians to be admitted into service

Question 12

What did the Government of India Act (1858) abolish?

Answer 12

The act put an end to the doctrine of lapse as well as abolished the dual government proposed by the Pitt’s India Act of 1784. The Court of Directors and the Board of Control of the British East India Company was scrapped. The powers of the company’s Court of directors were shifted to and vested in the Secretary of State for India. This office was located in London.

Question 13

Who was Lord Stanley? A: The First Secretary of State for India was Lord Stanley

Answer 13

What was Council under Secretary of State for India? A: The Secretary of State for India was to be assisted by a Council of 15 members. The council had only an advisory role. The Secretary of State for India was made chairman of the Council

Question 14

What was role and authority given to Secretary of State for India under Government of India Act (1858)?

Answer 14

The Secretary of State would also act as a channel of communication between the British government and the Indian Administration. The Secretary of State would have complete authority and control over the Indian Administration. The Secretary of State was answerable to the British Parliament

Question 15

Who was Governor General/Viceroy under Government of India Act (1858)?

Answer 15

The representative of the British government in India was the Governor General/ Viceroy. In the role of Viceroy, he acted as a representative of the British Crown and in the role of Governor General, he acted as head of state for Indian government. The First Viceroy was Lord Canning. The Viceroys were appointed by Crown and were to be assisted by an Executive Council

Question 16

What happened to remaining Indian Princes under Government Of India Act (1858)?

Answer 16

It was also decided that remaining Indian Princes would have their independent status provided they accepted British rule and British suzerainty.

Question 17

Who granted pardon under Government Of India Act (1858)?

Answer 17

Pardon would be granted to all Indians who participated in mutiny except those who had killed British subjects.

Question 18

What did Queen Victoria’s Proclamation declare?

Answer 18

Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858) declared openly by Lord Canning on November 1, 1858 in “Delhi Durbar”. Under this, it was agreed that Queen Victoria will now have a hold over India’s administration in all aspects and assumed role as

Question 19

What did the Indian Councils Act (1861) initiate?

Answer 19

The Indian Councils Act (1861) initiated the trend of decentralization by restoring legislative powers to the Bombay and Madras presidencies.

Question 20

How did the Indian Councils Act (1861) involve Indians in the law-making process?

Answer 20

The act associated Indians with the law-making process by allowing the Viceroy to nominate some Indians as non-official members of the expanded council.

Question 21

What was the beginning of representative institutions by the Indian Councils Act (1861)?

Answer 21

It made a beginning of representative institutions by associating Indians with the law-making process.

Question 22

Who were the first Indians nominated to the legislative council under the Indian Councils Act (1861)?

Answer 22

The first Indians nominated were the Raja of Benaras, the Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir Dinkar Rao.

Question 23

What powers were defined for the Viceroy/Governor General under the Indian Councils Act (1861)?

Answer 23

The Viceroy/Governor General was given powers such that any bill related to Revenue, Debt, Military, Religion, and foreign affairs required their approval. They were also given veto power.

Question 24

What power did the Viceroy have during times of emergency under the Indian Councils Act (1861)?

Answer 24

The Viceroy was empowered to issue ordinances without the concurrence of the legislative council during times of emergency.

Question 25

Which provinces had legislative councils established under the Indian Councils Act (1861)?

Answer 25

The legislative councils were established for Bengal, North-Western Frontier Province, and Punjab.

Question 26

What provision did the Indian Councils Act (1861) make for the transaction of business in the council?

Answer 26

The act empowered the Viceroy to make rules and orders for a better and more convenient transaction of business in the council.

Question 27

What was the Portfolio System introduced by Lord Canning and recognized under the Indian Councils Act (1861)?

Answer 27

The Portfolio System allowed a member of the Viceroy’s Council to be in charge of one or more government departments and issue final orders on behalf of the council for matters concerning those departments.

Question 28

Who was Lord Mayo?

Answer 28

Lord Mayo was an Irish statesman who served as Viceroy of India from 1869 until his assassination in 1872.

Question 29

What significant action did Lord Mayo take in 1871?

Answer 29

Lord Mayo ordered the first census of India in 1871, which provided a general picture of the subcontinent’s population.

Question 30

What was Lord Mayo in charge of?

Answer 30

Lord Mayo was in charge of the Indian Statistical Survey.

Question 31

What did Lord Mayo do on June 9th, 1871?

Answer 31

Lord Mayo founded the Departments of Revenue, Agriculture, and Commerce, along with the Land-improvement Act.

Question 32

What steps did Lord Mayo take for the development of infrastructure in India?

Answer 32

Lord Mayo took steps for the development of infrastructure in India, including the massive extension of roads, railroads, and canals. He was the one who established the State Railway system.

Question 33

What were Lord Mayo’s contributions to prison reforms?

Answer 33

Lord Mayo was interested in prison reforms and particularly focused on establishing convict settlements on the Andaman Islands.

Question 34

What did Lord Mayo’s resolution of 1870 initiate?

Answer 34

Lord Mayo’s resolution of 1870 started the path of financial decentralization for provinces.

Question 35

What did Lord Mayo do to balance budgets?

Answer 35

He drastically cut military spending and other civil administration expenses, instituted a salt tax, and raised income taxes. He gave provinces the authority to use local taxation to balance their budgets.

Question 36

What colleges did Lord Mayo found?

Answer 36

He founded Rajkot College in Kathiawar and Mayo College in Ajmer to educate Indian princes in politics.

Question 37

How did Lord Mayo help stabilize India’s northwestern border?

Answer 37

Lord Mayo helped to stabilize India’s northwestern border by strengthening ties with Afghanistan’s emir, Sher Ali. He did so in the hope of reducing Russian influence in the region and establishing a buffer state between the Russian and British Empires.