Question

Which one of the following Act strengthened the unitary character of the Government of India by establishing a general control over the finances of by the Governor- General?

• A. The Charter Act of 1833
• B. The Charter Act of 1813
• C. Pitt's India Act of 14
• D. The Regulating Act of 1773

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The Charter Act of 1833

The Saint Helena Act 1833 or the Government of India Act 1833 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. As this Act was also intended to provide for an extension of the royal charter granted to the East India Company, it is also called the Charter Act of 1833. This Act extended the charter by 20 years.

Provisions of the Act:

• India became a British colony
  
• The Governor-General of Bengal was re-designated as the Governor-General of India. This made Lord William Bentinck the first Governor-General of India.
  
• Thus, the country’s administration was unified under one control.
• Hence, Option A is correct. Among the rest, The Charter Act of 1813 abolished the monopoly of the Company in all items traded with India except tea. Now anyone from Britain could trade with India. Due to the Charter Act of 1883, the Company had to wind up its operations in India. The Pitt's India Act of 14 mandated that all civil and military officers disclose their property in India and Britain within two months of their joining. The Governor-General's council's strength was reduced to three members. Regulating Act of 1773 is of great constitutional importance as it was the first step taken by the British Government to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India. Since none of these mentions the Governor-General, these are incorrect.