The Charter Act, 1853

The date of August 24, 1600 marks the time when the Britishers made their entry into India, in the form of the East India Company (EIC). By a charter issued by Queen Elizabeth I, the Britishers had trading rights in India. With time the company also received privileges and freedoms over the revenues earned in Bihar, Orissa and Bengal. 

That’s how Britishers started up as a territorial power in the country. In the wake of sepoy mutiny, the East India Company took over the direct obligation to control and govern the government of India. Thus, from that day till the independence day of 1947, the Britishers continued their rule in India. 

How did the Britishers rule and control the administration in India, in the first instance? Well, it was through the Charter Act (Exclusive license), that the EIC was able to govern the policies made in India. Under this, a rule was made that the charter had to be revised every 20 years and it will include all the rules and regulations that are required for controlling the Indian administration. Charter Acts continued from 1773 to 1858. The most significant of all these was the Charter Act of 1853. 

What is the Charter Act 1853? 

The Charter Act 1853 was the final one in the sequel of Charter Acts enacted under the Company’s rule. It was deemed as one of the most striking acts of all time from 1773-to 1858. This act was established on the suggestions given by the Select Committee of Enquiry in 1852. 

Interestingly, it was only under the Charter Act 1853, that the concept of provincial representation came into being under the Legislative Council. The introduction of this last charter act entrusted the Britishers with a trust that they can now retain the territories of India in trust for their crown and not for any kind of specified period given with the previous charter Acts. 

Features of the Charter Act 1853

1)With the help of the Charter Act 1853, it was made possible that the functions of the legislative and executive councils were separated from each other. 

2) The Charter Act of 1853 captioned the foundation of the contemporary kind of Parliamentary form of government. 

3) The threshold of time was removed from the act that was previously present in the previous Charter Acts. Thus, it extended the rule of the EIC for an indefinite period. 

4) The number of Board of Directors was decreased to six, where all of these members were crown-nominated. 

5) The Charter Act of 1853 ended the policy of providing government jobs only based on recommendations. Now, Indians were too open for the posts under the Civil Services of India, leading to a competitive environment. 

6) It was the first time in many years that the system of local government was introduced by the Britishers and furthered its representation in the legislative council. Notably, the members were from Madras, Bengal, Bombay, and certain areas of North Western Province. 

Provisions under the Charter Act of 1853

1) Reduction in the number of Board of Directors

Initially, the council had 24 board of directors guiding through all the issues. However, it was with the Charter Act of 1853 that the number of BOD was reduced from 24 to 18 and then to 6. One of the most important conditions was that these six members should be covered under the Crown rule and that all of them be crown-nominated. 

2) Power for bringing a New Presidency 

It was with the Charter Act 1853 that the concept of establishing different presidencies came into being. The Act authorized the Court of Directors to appoint a Lieutenant Governor (LG) for the state of Punjab. So, it was in 1859, that a new presidency was initiated. 

3) Opening Civil Services for all 

One of the most notable aspects covered under the Charter Act of 1853 was the opening of civil services for all the Indian people. The Charter Act of 1853 ended the policy of providing government jobs only based on recommendations. Now, Indians were too open for the posts under the Civil Services of India, leading to a competitive environment. 

4) Expansion of Governor-General Council

For the first time, the charter act had its emphasis on the development of the Governor-General’s Office. Now, the functions of the council were separated into two different levels: legislative and executive. Previously, the council had a total of six members, but that too had a growth from six to twelve. 

Conclusion

The Charter Act 1853 was the definitive one in the continuation of Charter Acts authorized under the Company’s rule. It was considered as one of the most remarkable acts of all time from 1773-1858. It was only under the Charter Act 1853, that the concept of provincial representation came into being under the Legislative Council. The threshold of time was removed from the act that was previously present in the previous Charter Acts. Thus, it extended the rule of the EIC for an indefinite period.