Published on 02 Oct 2025
The administrative structure during the colonial period was largely focused on the perpetuation of colonial rule in India to enjoy the sustained profits received from the lucrative trade in India. The administrative structure was under the Company’s rule till 1857, but the failure to prevent the Sepoy Mutiny led to power being shifted to the Crown.
DURING COMPANY RULE (1765 - 1857)
Treaty of Allahabad
Background
The failure of the Tripartite alliance of Bengal, Awadh and Mughal in the Battle of Buxar led to the signing of this treaty which virtually established the British as the supreme power in the subcontinent.
Robert Clive concluded two treaties - One with the Nawab of Awadh and the other with the Mughals.
Features
Dual Government in Bengal: Robert Clive introduced the dual system of government in Bengal (1765 -1772), whereby the Company took care of Diwaniyat i.e. the revenue administration and left Nizamat or General administration to Nawab. But the Nawab’s power was nominal as the British were the de jure head.
War Indemnity: Both the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal emperor were forced to pay a hefty sum as a penalty for waging war.
Example: Nawab paid Rs 50 lakh while Mughals were forced to pay even more as cash and revenue rights.
Displacement of the seat of Mughals: Mughals were made to leave Delhi and shift to Allahabad which was ceded to them by Awadh.
Diwani rights: The British secured diwani or revenue rights to vast tracts of lands as war reparations and sought to secure their trade in India.
Example: An Imperial Farman was issued granting Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha to the British in exchange for a meagre sum.
Reduction of Military: Mughals and Awadh were forced to reduce their military power to not pose a threat.
Example: The company demanded a sum of Rs. 53 lakhs in exchange for the protection of ceded provinces as to
Outcomes
Foundation of British rule: The victory in the battle led to the British entering the role of administrator shedding the image as mere traders.
Huge Revenue: The financial income of the British considerably increased due to the remunerations from the war. This further strengthened the position of the British.
Soaps to British loyalists: Zamindars and Moneylenders who supported the British cause were given undue advantages and rewarded handsomely.
Example: Balwant Singh, Zamindar of Benaras, was given full possession of his estate due to his proximity to the British.
Territorial Expansion: The British expanded their territorial base to Bihar and Odisha, leading to increased revenues.
British supremacy: The Treaty reaffirmed the position of the British as the masters of the region.
End of Mughals: The power of the Mughals was considerably reduced rendering them a puppet in the hands of the British who received a pension from it.
Acts during Company Rule
Regulating Act of 1773
Establishment of Governor-General: The Governor-General and a four-member council, representing the civil and military governments, were to oversee administration in Bengal.
Establishment of Supreme Court: In Bengal, a Supreme Court with original and appellate jurisdictions was to be established, where all subjects could seek justice.
Curbing corruption: For the first time, the British cabinet was given the right to exercise control over Indian affairs to ensure supervision.
Charter Act of 1813
Reduced Trade Monopoly: The Act ended EIC’s trade monopoly in India, fostering competition. However, it maintained exclusive control over trade with China and in the tea trade.
Example: The Idea of laissez-faire and the Continental system by Napoleon by which the European ports were closed for Britain. This increased demand for the end of monopoly.
Promotion of Education: An annual allocation of Rs 1 lakh aimed to boost education among Indians was primarily meant to build a workforce appreciative of the British.
Extension of Revenue rights: For an additional 20 years, the Company was allowed to keep its revenue and territory holdings without endangering the Crown's sovereignty.
Charter Act of 1833
End of Trade Monopoly: The Act completely ended the trade monopoly of the EIC as the trade with China and the tea trade was also opened up for all.
Excessive centralisation: The Governor-General's authority was extended over the presidencies of Bombay and Madras, unifying governance across India.
Example: The Governors of Madras and Bombay were stripped of their legislative powers and were only allowed to give proposals to the governor-general for laws.
First step against Slavery: In lieu of the abolishment of slavery in the British parliament at that time, it ceased all operations pertaining to slavery in India.
Emphasis on religious and social reforms: It stressed the need for religious and social reform in India, aiming to promote education and eradicate social evils like Sati (widow burning).
TRANSFER OF POWER (1857)
Government of India Act of 1858
Events that led to the act:
Revolt as the climax: The failure of the British to prevent the sepoy mutiny of 1857.
Public discontent: Growing resentment against the Company rule made continuance of administration a challenging task.
Demand for free trade: The businessmen of Britain were largely dissatisfied with the monopoly being awarded to the company and wanted a portion of lucrative Indian trade.
Intervention of the crown: The crown being aware of the situation took over the rule to itself hence displacing the company from its power.
Features of the Act:
Advent of Crown rule: The Act stated that the British Indian possessions would be administered in the name of Queen Victoria, who would later become Empress of India.
Introduced Viceroy: The office of Governor-General was changed in nomenclature and duties to Viceroy, who is to be supported by the Executive Council.
Introduced Secretary of State: SOS became the de facto bridge between the British Government and the local government.
Indian entry into Civil Services: The Act established the Indian Civil Services, which were entrusted with administering the country. Indians were also allowed to serve in the military.
Abolition of Dual Government and the Doctrine of Lapse: The Act repealed the dual government system of Pitt's India Act and abolished the doctrine of lapse, which allowed the British to conquer states without a male heir.
Outcomes
End of East India Company: The reduced influence and depleted profits made the company’s position weaker and eventually led to minimal role being played by them.
Continuation of Imperialism: Imperialism cloaked as good governance replaced company rule in India, which was not too different in its structure.
Respite to the Princely states: The Princely states were assuaged by repealing the Doctrine of Lapse and allowed to keep their allegiance in exchange for acceptance of the Crown’s suzerainty.
No native representation: The administration was largely filled with foreigners with no representation of the Indians in it.
DURING CROWN RULE (1857-1947)
Acts during Crown Rule
During Crown Rule in India, significant legislative acts were enacted to govern the colonial territory. The Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892 expanded legislative councils, allowing limited representation. The 1909 Morley-Minto Reforms introduced separate electorates for Muslims. The Government of India Act of 1919 established dyarchy, dividing powers. The 1935 Act granted provincial autonomy and a federal structure, shaping the political landscape during this period.
Indian Council Act of 1909
Events that led to the act:
The Shimla Deputation: Led by the Agha Khan, they met Lord Minto in October 1906 and demanded separate electorates for Muslims as well as representation greater than their numerical strength because they believed the Muslims contributed more to the success of the empire.
Features of the Act:
Introduction of Communal electorate: The Act introduced separate electorates for Muslims, hence it planted seeds of communalism in India.
Example: Lord Minto was dubbed the “Father of the Communal Electorate” for this feat.
Introduction of Franchise: Voting was introduced for the first time, but it was largely limited in sense as women were not allowed to vote along with other restrictions.
Indian entry into Executive Council: For the first time, Satyendra P Sinha, an Indian, was inducted into the Executive Council
Outcomes
End of East India Company: The reduced influence and depleted profits made the company’s position weaker and eventually led to the minimal role being played by them.
Sought to divide: The communal electorate was used as a tool to divide the Indian society on religious lines.
Government of India Act of 1919
Events that led to the act:
Rising demands of the people: The demand for autonomy and reforms found force during the Self-rule movement.
August declaration (1917): For the first time, the British government declared that its goal was to gradually introduce responsible government in India, but as an integral part of the British Empire.
Features of the Act:
Extension of Communal electorate: The communal electorate was further extended to Anglo Indians, Christians, Europeans and Sikhs. (Remember the acronym: M-A-C-E-S)
Representation in the Executive Council: It required that at least three of six members of the Executive Council be Indians.
Introduced Bicameralism: The central legislature was bifurcated into Upper and lower houses in lines with the British model.
Dyarchy: The subjects were divided as Central and provincial, and it was further divided as Reserved and Transferred. The reserved subjects were deemed for Viceroy’s Executive Council whereby there was no executive control over it.
Introduction of direct elections: For the first time, direct elections were introduced in India, but the eligible voters were limited in numbers.
Establishment of Public Service Commissions: A commission was constituted as a central recruiting agency for civil servants.
Outcomes
Direct elections: Introduction of direct elections in India led to increased political consciousness among the people.
Dyarchy: The division of duties among the Centre and Provinces led to more autonomy for the Provinces but with limited sense as many subjects were reserved for the Executive Council’s ambit.
Introduction of Responsible government: The existence of government and the people were given power to administer. This led to it being used as an effective tool against colonial rule.
Limited Franchise: Even though reforms were undertaken, the franchise was still limited to a great extent.
Recognition of Self-rule: Beyond the August Declaration of 1917, efforts were made to increase the autonomy partly due to insistence of Indians and efforts of sympathisers from the West.
Gender Parity: Women were allowed to vote though in limited numbers.
Extensive Communalisation: Efforts to extend the electorate to other communities furthered the rifts within the society.
Veto power: The superintendence of Viceroy over bills drawn by the legislature reduced its autonomy and the dismissal of ministers by him didn't need any plausible explanation.
The reforms undertaken led to introduction of Constitutionalism in India, but the reforms weren't monumental in the sense that it was primarily meant as a respite building public discontent. This was also aimed at weakening the Self-rule movement by creating a difference of opinion among different factions.
Government of India Act of 1935
Events that led to the act:
Third Round Table Conference: GOI Act 1935 was based on a White Paper on the Indian Constitution prepared by the British Government after the Third Round Table Conference.
Poorna Swaraj demand: The Lahore session of 1929 saw the demand of Poorna Swaraj being officiated as the INC demand, largely due to the works of young elements led by Nehru.
Increased Nationalistic activities: The boycott of Simon Commission and the drafting of the Nehru report in 1928 showed new forces of Nationalistic demand at play.
Features of the Act:
All India Federation: The Act proposed the establishment of a federal structure in British India, consisting of provinces and princely states.
Example: It established federal institutions such as Federal Bank and Federal Court.
Provincial Autonomy: For the first time, Act recognised provinces as separate legal entities, free from directions and control from centre, except for specific purposes.
Dyarchy at Centre: The dyarchy at the provinces was replaced by provincial autonomy but it was introduced in the centre.
Bicameral Legislature: It was introduced in 6 provinces – Bengal, Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Bihar and Assam in the same lines as centre.
Abolition of Indian Council: Established under the Act of 1858, on account of much agitation in India against its anti-India policies, was discontinued.
Outcomes
Foundation of Indian Constitution: Indian Constitution drafted by B R Ambedkar took significant inspiration from this act.
More autonomy: The increased power of the elected body at centre as well as at the provinces made the rule more responsible.
Lack of Dominion Status: While the Act increased Indian participation in governance, it did not grant full dominion status. Moreover, they even maintained control over critical areas such as defence and foreign policy.
Retained Communal electorate: The Act maintained separate electorates for religious communities, including Muslims, Sikhs, and others. This was also extended to women but in a limited sense.
The Act, however, had limitations and was opposed. It succeeded in maintaining British control in key areas, maintained communal divisions, and did not meet demands for full independence. The Act was eventually superseded by the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which resulted in India's partition and the creation of separate countries of Pakistan and India.
History & Culture
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE DURING COLONIAL PERIOD
DURING COMPANY RULE (1765 - 1857)
Treaty of Allahabad
1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
Robert Clive
Dual Government in Bengal
Diwaniyat
Nizamat
Imperial Farman
Acts during Company Rule
Regulating Act of 1773
Charter Act of 1813
Governor-General
Charter Act of 1833
TRANSFER OF POWER (1857)
Government of India Act of 1858
Viceroy
Secretary of State
Dual Government and the Doctrine of Lapse
DURING CROWN RULE (1857-1947)
Indian Coun
General Studies Paper 1
Modern Indian History
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