Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu)
National Movement · महत्वपूर्ण अधिनियम · 17 facts
Regulating Act 1773 — the first Parliamentary Act to regulate the affairs of the East India Company; Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal.
Pitt's India Act 1784 — established a Board of Control for supervision of Indian affairs by the British Government, creating dual control of EIC.
Charter Act 1813 — ended the East India Company's trade monopoly in India (except tea and China trade); allowed Christian missionaries to work in India.
Charter Act 1833 — the last renewal of EIC's charter; EIC ceased to be a trading body; Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India.
Charter Act 1853 — last charter act; introduced open competitive examination for ICS (Indian Civil Service); separation of legislative and executive functions of Governor-General's Council.
Government of India Act 1858 — after the 1857 revolt, power transferred from EIC to the British Crown; Secretary of State for India created; Governor-General given the title 'Viceroy'.
Indian Councils Act 1892 — introduced indirect elections and gave Indian members the right to discuss the budget and ask questions to the Executive Council.
Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909) — introduced separate electorates for Muslims, increased Indian representation in councils, and included an Indian member in Viceroy's Executive Council.
Rowlatt Act 1919 ('Black Bills') — officially named Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act; allowed detention of any person without trial for up to 2 years. Gandhi called for nationwide hartal.
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act 1919) — introduced dyarchy in provinces (some subjects transferred to Indian ministers); bicameral central legislature; extended franchise.
Government of India Act 1935 — most detailed constitutional act for India; introduced provincial autonomy; federal structure; elections held in 1937; Congress won in 8 of 11 provinces.
Government of India Act 1935 separated Burma from India, created the position of Federal Court, and introduced the concept of an all-India federation of provinces and princely states.
Indian Independence Act 1947 — passed by the UK Parliament on July 18, 1947; created two independent dominions (India and Pakistan) from August 15, 1947; ended British paramountcy over princely states.
Vernacular Press Act 1878 (Gag Act) — passed by Lord Lytton to muzzle the Indian-language press; repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882 after strong protest.
Indian Arms Act 1878 — prohibited Indians from keeping arms without a license, while Europeans were exempt. This angered Indian leaders and fueled nationalist sentiment.
Age of Consent Act 1891 — raised the age of consent for girls from 10 to 12 years. It was controversial as it was seen as government interference in Hindu social customs.
Communal Award (August 1932) — announced by British PM Ramsay MacDonald after failure of Round Table Conferences; proposed separate electorates for Muslims, Sikhs, Depressed Classes, Europeans.