IAS Prelims preparation 2018
Day # 41 (May 3, 2017)
Topic of the day: Government of
India Act of 1858
GoI Act 1858
This
significant Act was enacted in the wake of the Revolt of 1857—also
known
as the First War of Independence or the ‘sepoy mutiny’. The act
known
as the Act for the Good Government of India, abolished the
East
India Company, and transferred the powers of government,
territories
and revenues to the British Crown.
Features of the Act
1.
It provided that India henceforth was to be governed by, and in the
name
of, Her Majesty. It changed the designation of the Governor-
General
of India to that of Viceroy of India. He (viceroy) was the direct
representative
of the British Crown in India. Lord Canning thus
became the first
Viceroy of India.
2.
It ended the system of double government by abolishing the Board of
Control
and Court of Directors.
3.
It created a new office, Secretary of State for India, vested with
complete
authority and control over Indian administration. The
secretary
of state was a member of the British cabinet and was
responsible
ultimately to the British Parliament.
4.
It established a 15-member Council of India to assist the secretary of
state
for India. The council was an advisory body. The secretary of state
was
made the chairman of the council.
5.
It constituted the secretary of state-in-council as a body corporate,
capable
of suing and being sued in India and in England.