The Administration Of India Flashcards
What was the Colonial Office (who established it and what purpose did it serve)?
It had been established by William Pitt the Younger’s government in 1801 and was initially combined with the war office but function quite separately from 1854 and was divided into five departments: North America, Australia, West Indies (group of colonies in the Caribbean), Africa and the Mediterranean, and from 1870, General.
(Not sure if need to know)
How did the Colonial Office work and who was it headed by?
It was headed by a Cabinet minister with the title ‘Secretary of State for the Colonies’ ore generally known as the ‘Colonial Secretary’. Most politicians saw this post as a stepping-stone to greater things and few served longer than a year or two. The work of the office increased a lot in the 19th century but but the middle the settler colonies became more self-governing. The office had to deal with the demands of territorial acquisitions and ‘orders in council’ were issued on the advise of law officers in London as a means of administering the Crown colonies without local consultation. The colonial office did not have responsibility for all British possessions overseas.
(Not sure if need to know)
Who originally oversaw India and how many people were under British rule there?
The expansion of British influence in India had originally been overseen by the British East India Company.
When the first census of the Indian population was taken in 1871, it indicated that at least 236 million lived either directly under British rule, or in states protected by treaties with Britain.
The cost of government in India was not far short of that of Britain and the army stationed there was considerably larger.
How was India administered before and after rebellion?
There was a rebellion of Indian sepoys servicing the the British East India Company in 1857. The dispatch of British troops to support the East India Company Army demonstrated the British determination to retain India at all costs. After the rebellion was quashed the British gov wanted a change to prevent recurrence so in 1858 the British gov took control of India from the East India Company and it was dissolved. Queen Victoria addressed the Indian people by saying “we desire to show our mercy, by pardoning the offences of those who have been thus misled”.
When was The Government of India Act passed?
1858.
What did The Government of India Act say?
Indians had little say but the terms of the Act included:
- The East India Company’s territories in India were passed to the Queen and the Company ceased to exist.
- Position of Secretary of State for India (cabinet post) was created. They received the powers and duties formerly exercised by the East India Company directors.
- A council of 15 members (the India Council), with experience of Indian affairs, was appointed to assist the Secretary of State for India and act as an advisory body in India affairs.
- The Crown appointed a Viceroy to replace the Company’s Governor-General.
- The Indian Civil Service was placed under the control of the Secretary of State.
When was Queen Victoria made Empress of India and what did this show?
On 1 January 1877. This was a symbol of British imperial power to both Britain and India.
How was India administrated from the top?
The Viceroy ruled India through a chain of white British authority supported by an Indian Civil Service which barred Indians from high-level posts until the 1930s. A Legislative Council of 5 held responsibility for finance, law, the army, economy and home affairs.
How was India administrated in the provinces?
The Viceroy was represented by provincial governors (or chief commissioners) with their own legislative councils and everyday district officers oversaw local councils and reported on practical issues.
Who made up the administrative force of India?
It was effectively maintained by around a thousand British civil servants who were employed as members of the Indian Civil Service. The bureaucracy of British officials attracted able administrators as positions provided both status and wealth. Posts were decided through academic examinations offering open competition for post to those who could access these qualification. Despite post being available to all races this meant that most senior civil servant were white males.
What did the running of India also depend on?
It depended on the cooperation of sections of the Indian population. In particular the Viceroy relied on the Indian rulers in charge of the 565 nominally independent Princely States whose support was essential for smooth running.
How were the Princely States kept under British control?
Until 1858 a ‘doctrine of lapse’ had ensured that the Princely States fell under British rule when their rulers’ line of decent ended. This doctrine also ended the common practice of adopting a new heir if there was no natural one or the natural one was unfit to rule, facilitating expanding British control. The removal of this doctrine won over Some of the princes’ loyalty and although they were required to accept the British Crown’s ultimate sovereignty, a hierarchy of status bolstered the princes’ prestige.
What sort of job positions could Indians get within the Civil Service?
Bilingual Indians were recruited as low-level clerks across India’s 13 provinces. These acted as intermediaries between the British elite and the mass of the population.
What basic administrative functions were performed by the array of officials?
Collection of taxes, maintenance of law and order and the running of the courts.
How was the legal system changed in India after the Crown took control?
The old East India Company courts were merged with the English Crown Courts and English law was imposed. Over the years the British gave more attention towards traditional Indian practices and changes in the law were made (particularly in family law).
