Question

The Crown took the Government of India into its own hand by ____.
A. Charter Act 1833
B. Government of India Act, 1858
C. Indian Council Act, 1861
D. Government of India Act, 1935

Answer 1

Hint: It was a British parliament act that passed the East India Company's government and territories to the British Crown. The company's rule over British territories in India came to an end as a result of this Act, and it was transferred directly to the British government. An Act for the Better Government of India was the long title for this Act.

Complete answer:
The Government of India Act 1858 (21 & 22 Vict. c. 106) was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament on August 2, 1858. Its terms provided for the liquidation of the British East India Company (which had previously ruled British India under Parliament's auspices) and the transition of its functions to the British Crown.
Option A) Charter Act 1833: It is the incorrect option because the Crown took the Government of India into its own hand by the Government of India Act, 1858.

Option B) Government of India Act, 1858: This is the correct answer. According to the act, the Company's Indian territories were to be vested in the Queen, with the Company relinquishing power and control over them. The Queen's name was to be used to rule India.

Option C) Indian Council Act, 1861: This is an incorrect option because Indian Council Act, 1861 did not lead to the transfer of the Government of India to the Crown.

Option D) Government of India Act, 1935: It is an incorrect option because it did not lead to the transfer of the Government of India to the Crown.

The correct option is the B. Government of India Act, 1858.

Note: Then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Lord Palmerston, proposed a bill to shift the power of the Government of India from the East India Company to the Crown, citing grave flaws in the current structure of government in India. However, Palmerston was forced to resign on another topic before this bill could be passed. Later, on August 2, 1858, Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby, introduced another bill, originally titled "An Act for the Better Governance of India," which was passed. India was to be ruled directly and in the name of the Crown under this act.