Question

Which of the following are among the provisions of the Act of 1858?
1. The administration of India and the Indian territories was transferred to the crown.
2. The rule of the East India Company was abolished.
3. The Governor-General of India was to be known as the Viceroy of India and a secretary of State for India was appointed.
4. The administrative power of India was to be shared between the East India Company and the crown of England.
A. 1, 3 and 4
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 2, 3 and 4
D. All of the above.

Answer 1

Hint:The revolt of 1857 proved a lesson for the British, as after this revolt, the Crown became the sovereign of British territories in India. The Act of 1858 introduced the new provisions and policies at that time. Hence, it is known as the Act of good governance.

Complete answer:
The Act of 1858 had the following provisions- the administration of India and its territories was transferred to the crown. The rule of East India Company was abolished. The Governor-General of India was to be known as the Viceroy of India and a secretary of State for India was appointed. The Act of 1858 transferred all the East India Company officials’ powers to the Crown. The Viceroy and the governors of various presidencies were to be appointed by the Crown. The provisions of the Court of Director and Board of Control were abolished. The Secretary of State was the channel of communication between the British government in Britain and the Indian administration. He also had other powers.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note:As per the provision of the Act of 1858, the Viceroy was to be assisted by an Executive Council. The Secretary of State was to be a member of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet and a British MP. The Act made India direct a British Colony. It also ended the doctrine of Lapse. It also had provisions for admitting Indians into Civil Services. It abolished the dual government (Pitt's India Act). The first Viceroy of India was Lord Canning.