Government of India
act, 1858
British Crown decided to assume sovereignty over India from
the East India Company in an apparent consequence of the Revolt of 1857,
described as an armed sepoy mutiny by the British historians and remembered as
the First War of Independence by the Indians.
The first statute for the governance of India, under the
direct rule of the British Government, was the government of India Act, 1858.
It provided for absolute (British) imperial control over
India without any popular participation in the administration of the country.
The powers of the crown were to be exercised by the
Secretary of state for India, assisted by a council of fifteen members, known
as the council of India.
The country was divided into provinces headed by a Governor
or Lieutenant – Governor aided by his Executive Council.
The provincial Governments had to function under the
superintendence, direction and control of the Governor – General in all matters.
All the authority for the governance of India was vested in
the Governor General in Council who was responsible to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of state was ultimately responsible of the
British parliament.
Indian Councils Act,
1861
