The Charter Act of 1833 was passed in the British Parliament which renewed the East India Company’s charter for another 20 years.This Act was also known as the Government of India Act 1833 or the Saint Helena Act 1833.
Features of the Charter Act of 1833
- It made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India. This made Lord William Bentinck the first Governor-General of India.
- The Governor- General and his council were given vast powers. This Council could legislate for the whole of India subject to the approval of Board of Control. Thus, the act created, for the first time, a Government of India having authority over the entire territorial area possessed by the British in India.
- The civil and military affairs of the company were controlled by the Governor-General in council.
- It deprived the governor of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers. The Governor-General of India was given exclusive legislative powers for the entire British India.
- Bombay and Madras were to keep their separate armies under their commanders in chief but they were to be under the control of the central government.
- The company still possessed the Indian territories but it was held ‘in trust for his majesty’.
- This act led to the completion of the introduction of free trade in India by abolishing the Company's monopoly of trade in tea and trade with China.
- As per the act, an Indian Law Commission was established.
- The first Law Commission had Lord Macaulay as its chairman.
- The British Parliament abolished slavery in Britain and all its possessions in 1833. Through this Act the Slavery in India was abolished.
Significance of the Charter Act of 1833
- This was the first step in the centralisation of India's administration.
- The Act provided for the codification of laws in India. Provision was made for the appointment of a law commission for that purpose.
- Provision for Indians were made to enter in government service.
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