The Indian Councils Act 1861, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, marked a significant milestone in the history of British colonial rule in India. This act was passed in response to growing demands for political reform and increased participation of Indians in the governance of their own country.
Prior to the Indian Councils Act, the British government in India was largely controlled by the British East India Company, which was responsible for administering the country and implementing British policies. This led to widespread discontent among Indians, who felt that they had no say in the decisions that affected their lives.
The Indian Councils Act was introduced in an effort to address these concerns and provide a greater degree of representation for Indians in the government. Under the act, the British government in India was restructured and the Governor-General was given the power to appoint additional members to the Council of India, which acted as an advisory body to the government.
The act also provided for the creation of legislative councils in each of the provinces of India, which were designed to serve as a forum for discussion and debate on issues of local and national importance. Members of these councils were chosen through a process of nomination by the British government, and included both British officials and Indians.
While the Indian Councils Act did represent a significant step towards greater participation by Indians in their own governance, it was still limited in scope and did not grant Indians full control over their own affairs. Nevertheless, it paved the way for further political reforms and the eventual independence of India from British rule.
Overall, the Indian Councils Act of 1861 was an important milestone in the history of British colonial rule in India and marked the beginning of a process of political reform that would eventually lead to the independence of India. Despite its limitations, the act demonstrated the British government's willingness to listen to the demands of Indians and incorporate their views into the decision-making process, and it laid the foundation for further political reform in the years to come.
Government of India Act 1861
It brought many significant changes in the Executive and Legislative functions of the governor-general in Council. The British Government exercised total control of the territory of India and then they settled to recast the legislative and executive structures. The Lieutenant Governor will be in charge of his province wherever appointed. Conclusion: It would not be an exaggeration if we say that, the Act laid the foundation of the system of administration which lasted till the end of the British regime in India. Moreover the Governor General was empowered by the Acts of 1861,to issue without the concurrence of the Legislative Council, ordinances, which were not to remain in force for more than six months. The workings of the Legislative Council set up by the Charter Acts of 1833, were not fulfilled properly.
MPPSC : Indian Councils Act 1861
The number of members in the provincial legislative councils was not uniform. This power was used by Lord Canning to introduce the portfolio system in the Government of India. Apart from these there were several others reasons, which necessitated the changes of the constitution of India. By the Act of 1861, it was declared that in the colonial Representative Assemblies there would be the discussions of the financial matters and taxation. If he thought it was necessary, the Viceroy had the power and authority to overthrow The Council. The portfolio system was introduced by Lord Canning, the first viceroy of India, after the enactment of the Indian Council Act 1861. The act also provided limited powers to the Presidencies of Bengal and Madras and the Governor-General was authorized to create similar Councils for the Provinces of Frontier and the Punjab.
Indian Councils Act (1861, 1892)
Later in the year 1874, a sixth member was addedfor public works. This work of the legislative council, established by the To stop this unbridled dictatorship of the company in India, the British parliament called for a meeting of the authorities in England. The people of India got the allocation to interfere with the act of the constitution. These views were similar to Prof. Lord Canning was the First to start a Portfolio system. As a result it laid the foundation of legislative devolution culminating in the grants of autonomy to the provinces by the Government of India Act, 1935. In pursuance of this policy of association, three acts were enacted by the British Parliament in 1861, 1892 and 1909.
