Historical Background of Indian Constitution Evolution and Historical underpinnings
The origins and development of Historical Background of Indian Constitution can be traced back to a multitude of laws and decrees enacted prior to India's independence. These can be categorized into two main streams:
THE COMPANY RULE (1773-1858) : •Started British gaining 'Diwani Rights’ after Battle of Buxar (1764). •Marked the onset of British governance in India
CROWN RULE (1858-1947) : •Started after the Revolt of 1857
Timeline of Historical Background of Indian Constitution
Development under Company Rule:
Regulating Act of 1773 | Pitts India Act 1784 | Charter Act of 1813 | Charter Act of 1833 | Charter Act of 1853 |
Governor of Bengal was designated as GG of Bengal. Warren Hasting (1st GG of Bengal). | Dual system of Government COD for commercial functions, BOC for political functions. | Ended EIC 's monopoly over trade with India, except in Tea and Opium. | Final step towards Centralization | For the first time, the legislative and executive powers of the Governor General's council were separated. Thus, it marked the beginning of Parliamentary System in India. |
Governors of Madras and Bombay were made subordinate to GG of Bengal | Company's territories were called “British Possession in India”. | Financial Provision for promotion of science & literature. | GG of Bengal was made GG of India. Lord William Bentinck: 1st GG of India. | Indians were allowed in "C covenanted" Civil Services. |
Beginning of Central Administration. | BOC was empowered thus giving British government supreme control over, company’s affairs. | Allocation of an annual sum of Rs. 1 lakh for the promotion of education among the natives. | Other name: Saint Helena Act. | Introduced, for the first time, local representation in the Indian central legislative council. |
COD was required to report on its revenue, civil & military affairs in India. | The legislative powers of Bombay & Madras Presidencies were removed. Failed attempt to introduce a system of open competition for Civil Services. | |||
1774: First Supreme court of India at Fort Williams (Minimal Powers). | Failed attempt to introduce a system of open competition for Civil Services. | |||
Law commission (under Lord Macaulay) to codify Indian Laws. | ||||
Ended the company's monopoly of trade in tea and trade with China. |
Development under Crown Rule:
Government of India Act 1858 | Indian Council Act of 1861 | Indian Council Act of 1892 | Indian Council Act of 1909 | Govt. of India Act 1919 | Govt. of India Act 1935 | Indian independence Act 1947 |
Transferred GOI from the Company to the British Crown. | Beginning of Representative Institutions. | Increased the number of non official members in the central & provincial LC. | Morley-Minto reforms. | Montague-Chelmsford reforms | Establishment of All India Federation (Comprising of Provinces and Princely states). | End of British Rule. |
GG of India was designated as Viceroy of India. | Initiated decentralisation as legislative powers of Bombay and Madras presidencies were restored. | Increased functions of LCs e.g.-power to discuss Budget | Increased size of Central and Provincial LCs | Introduction of responsible government. | 3 Lists: Federal, Provincial and Concurrent | Abolished the office of Viceroy & SOS. |
SOS was established. | Recognised portfolio systems and ordinance power of Viceroy. | Separate electorate for Muslims. | Dyarchy was introduced at provincial level (Division into transferred and reserved subjects). | Abolished Dyarchy at provincial level and introduced it at centre | Empowered Constituent Assemblies to frame and adopt Constitutions. | |
GG of India was designated as Viceroy of India. Lord Canning: 1st Viceroy of India. | Initiated decentralization as legislative powers of Bombay and Madras presidencies were restored. | Enlarged deliberative functions of LC, eg-supplement ary questions & resolutions on Budget. | Bicameralism at centre was introduced introduced | Bicameralism at Provincial level. | Freedom to princely states to join the dominion of India or Pakistan or to remain Independent. | |
Abolished BOC and COD, thus ending the dual system | Recognised portfolio systems and ordinance power of Viceroy. | Indians in executive councile.g. Satyendra Prasad Sinha | For first time, direct elections (Limited franchise). | Extended communal representation to depressed class, women, labour | ||
New LC's established at Bengal, Punjab, and NWFP. | Enlarged deliberative functions of LC, eg-supplement ary questions & resolutions on Budget. | Extended communal representation to Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans | Establishment of RBI & Federal Court. |
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