Question

Numerous causes gave rise to the First War of Independence and its consequences led to several changes in the British Government in India. In this context, answer the following:
State any four changes in the administration of the British Government as a consequence of the Revolt.

Answer 1

• An Act of Parliament in 1858 transferred the power to govern from the East India Company to the British Crown. While authority over India had previously been wielded by the directors of the Company and the Board of Control, now this power was to be exercised by a Secretary of State for India aided by a Council.
• Caste and communal companies were introduced in all the regiments and Indian regiments were made a mixture of various socio-ethnic groups so as to balance each other.
• Indian Councils Act of 1861 allowed Indians in Legislative bodies for the first time.
• Efforts were made to reach out to reactionary elements of the society. Socio-religious reforms were abandoned to please the conservatives while it was decided that Muslims shall be played against the Hindus. Princely states were allowed to keep their territories now without any annexation from British to buy their support.