By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

a) The Regulating Act

b) The Pitt's India Act

c) The Charter Act of 1793

d) The Charter Act of 1833

Correct Answer: Option d) The Charter Act of 1833

Learn more about the Charter Act of 1833 in the given explanation below.

Explanation:

• The Charter Act of 1833 was a significant constitutional instrument defining the scope and authority of the East India Company. The liberal and utilitarian philosophy of Bentham was made popular by the provisions of this Act.

Charter Act of 1833

Following were the important provisions of the Act:

• The English East India Company ceased to be a commercial agency in India. In other words, it would function hereafter as the political agent for the Crown.
• The Governor-General of Fort William was hereafter called ‘the Governor - General of India’. Thus, Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India’.
• A Law Member was appointed to the Governor-General’s Council. T. B. Macaulay was the first Law Member of the Governor- General-in-Council.
• The Act categorically stated "that no native of India, nor any natural born subject of His Majesty, should be disabled from holding any place, office, or employment, by reason of his religion, place of birth, descent or colour”. It was this enactment which laid the foundation for the Indianisation of public services.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Subject: History |British Administration and Policies in India

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