The Charter Act 1853 was the final one in the sequel of Charter Acts enacted under the Company’s rule. It was deemed as one of the most striking acts of all time from 1773 to 1858. This act was established on the suggestions given by the Select Committee of Enquiry in 1852.
Interestingly, it was only under the Charter Act 1853 that the concept of provincial representation came into being under the Legislative Council. The introduction of this last charter act entrusted the Britishers with the trust that they could now retain the territories of India in trust for their crown and not for any specified period given with the previous charter Acts.
Features of the Charter Act 1853
- With the help of the Charter Act 1853, it was made possible that the functions of the legislative and executive councils were separated from each other.
- The Charter Act of 1853 captioned the foundation of the contemporary kind of Parliamentary form of government.
- The time threshold was removed from the act previously present in the previous Charter Acts. Thus, it extended the rule of the EIC for an indefinite period.
- The number of Board of Directors was decreased to six, and all of these members were crown-nominated.
- The Charter Act of 1853 ended the policy of providing government jobs only based on recommendations. Now, Indians were too open for the posts under the Civil Services of India, leading to a competitive environment.
- It was the first time in many years that the British introduced the local government system and furthered its representation in the legislative council. Notably, the members from Madras, Bengal, Bombay, Agra were nominated by provincial government.
Provisions under the Charter Act of 1853
1. Reduction in the number of Board of Directors
Initially, the council had 24 board of directors guiding through all the issues. However, it was with the Charter Act of 1853 that the number of BOD was reduced from 24 to 18 and then to 6. One of the most important conditions was that these six members should be covered under the Crown rule and all be crown-nominated.
2. Power of Bringing a New Presidency
The Charter Act of 1853 introduced the concept of establishing different presidencies. The Act authorized the Court of Directors to appoint a Lieutenant Governor (LG) for the state of Punjab. So, a new presidency was initiated in 1859.
3. Opening Civil Services for all
One of the most notable aspects covered under the Charter Act of 1853 was the opening of civil services for all the Indian people. The Charter Act of 1853 ended the policy of providing government jobs only based on recommendations. Now, Indians were too open for the posts under the Civil Services of India, leading to a competitive environment. Accordingly, the Macaulay Committee on Civil Service was appointed in 1854.
4. Expansion of Governor-General Council
For the first time, the Charter Act emphasized the development of the Governor-General’s Office. Now, the council’s functions are separated into two different levels: legislative and executive. Previously, the council had six members, but that too increased from six to twelve.
