The Charter Act of 1833

The charter act of 1833, also known as the Government of India Act of 1833, was the Saint Helena act of 1833. It was the law commission from the British government for the Government of India to reform its legal task. The name of the country Saint Helena in 1833 was after the territory of the British, situated in South Africa. The British Parliament acted out the Charter Act 1833 to accomplish the east companies India charter act of 1813. This article will discuss the merits and demerits of the charter act 1833.

What is the Charter Act of 1833?

The British Parliament acted out the charter act of 1833 to provide the law commission establishment for the Indian laws and values. The Charter act of 1833 provided for the addition of a fourth common member to a Governor-General in the administrative unit for India, who was in charge of making legal laws in India. The Charter act of 1833 is also known as the Saint Helena act. The fourth governor-general for the Council of India was Lord Macaulay. He participated in the Council for making the laws. 

In 1835, Lord Macaulay was nominated as the first Commission of law chairman. The Law member appointed was Sir Stephen in place of Lord Macaulay. During that period, the secondary department was functioning, known as the legislative department, which was working as a division of the home department and was managed by the assistant secretary whose work was to prepare the draft bills needed for the legislation. 

In 1869, the importance of a distinct department was felt, and thus the secondary department known as the legislative department was built or constituted. After the legislative department was built, the department’s legislation was initiated by the concerned department during that time. After that, the legislative department was in charge of the bills. The ruler’s security was also the duty of the secretary of the Legislative department for the same purpose of making laws. The ruler’s work in the legislative department and their members was to draft the bills and place them before the Council.

In the late 19th century, many laws were enacted due to the labour of the Law Commission, namely, the Indian Penal Code, which is still in force and was the original product of Lord Macaulay. The same draft has the information about the first report of the third law commission, Which was made based on the Indian Succession Act passed by the Governor-General of Council, which Sir Henry Maine guided.

Significance of the Charter Act, 1833

• The Charter act of 1833 was acted out against some significant changes that occurred in Great Britain due to the Industrial Revolution.
• As the government’s attitude, the principle of laissez-faire was accepted towards industrial Enterprise.
• The liberal movement was the result of the Reform Act of 1832.
• During the formation of the Charter act 1833, the surrounding atmosphere in Britain was looking for liberal ideas and reform. 
• By agreeing with Lord Macaulay continued the company’s rule on various bases.
• When the Whig party was in power, the bill was presented in the parliament, and the Parliament was in the mood for favouring the Re from the codification of laws and retail trade.
• The Charter act of 1833 was moved with some recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry by which sometimes we can see all landmarks in the law history part of India.

What is the main objective of charter act 1833?

The main objective of the Charter Act 1833 was to discard all trade completely and allow Europeans to settle down freely in India.

Key provisions of the Charter act, 1833 

The governor-general in India was the same as the governor-general in Bengal, leading to the consolidation in administration.

The Governor-general of India and Bengal was promoted by the same position of the unshared legislative power.

The administrations of Bombay and Madras were drained of the legislative abilities.

The first Governor-General of India was Lord William Bentick.

Abolition of Slavery

• This provided or passed for the decrease in slavery, which was subsisting in British India.
• The appointed governor-general in Council was directed to adopt some measures to end slavery, which was living in British India.
• With the Act fifth of 1843, slavery was abolished in India. 

Conclusion

To spread out administration in India, the Charter act of 1833 was the main act that the British government acted out. The Charter act of 1833 had some regulations and impact of the regulations on the political system with the pre-independence of India. With the continuation of the charter act of 1833, the Crown of Britain, bit by bit gained some control over the administration of India through the help of the East India Company.