The Government of India Act (1858)

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The Government of India Act (1858) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that transferred the government of India from the British East India Company to the British Crown. The Act was passed in response to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which had led to the deaths of thousands of British and Indian people.

The Act abolished the East India Company and created a new government for India, called the Government of India. The new government was headed by a Governor-General, who was appointed by the British Crown. The Governor-General was assisted by a Council of India, which was made up of British officials.

The Act also made a number of other changes to the government of India. It abolished the practice of sati, or widow burning. It also made it illegal for Indian people to be enslaved.

The Government of India Act (1858) was a major turning point in the history of India. It marked the end of the British East India Company’s rule over India and the beginning of direct British rule. The Act also had a significant impact on the lives of Indian people. It abolished some of the most oppressive practices of the East India Company, such as sati and slavery. However, it also led to the increased centralization of power in the hands of the British government, which had a negative impact on the lives of many Indian people.

The Government of India Act (1858) was a complex piece of legislation that had a profound impact on the history of India. It is important to understand the Act in order to understand the history of India in the 19th century.

Frequently asked questions

  1. What was the Government of India Act (1858)?
    The Government of India Act (1858) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that transferred the government of India from the British East India Company to the British Crown.

  2. Why was the Government of India Act (1858) passed?
    The Government of India Act (1858) was passed in response to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which had led to the deaths of thousands of British and Indian people.

  3. What were the main provisions of the Government of India Act (1858)?
    The main provisions of the Government of India Act (1858) were:

  • The abolition of the East India Company
  • The creation of a new government for India, called the Government of India
  • The appointment of a Governor-General for India
  • The creation of a Council of India
  • The abolition of sati and slavery
  1. What was the impact of the Government of India Act (1858)?
    The Government of India Act (1858) had a significant impact on the history of India. It marked the end of the British East India Company’s rule over India and the beginning of direct British rule. The Act also had a significant impact on the lives of Indian people. It abolished some of the most oppressive practices of the East India Company, such as sati and slavery. However, it also led to the increased centralization of power in the hands of the British government, which had a negative impact on the lives of many Indian people.

MCQs

  1. The Government of India Act (1858) was passed in response to:
    (A) The Indian Rebellion of 1857
    (B) The Sepoy Mutiny
    (C) The Indian Mutiny
    (D) The Indian Uprising

  2. The main provisions of the Government of India Act (1858) were:
    (A) The abolition of the East India Company
    (B) The creation of a new government for India, called the Government of India
    (C) The appointment of a Governor-General for India
    (D) All of the above

  3. The Government of India Act (1858) had a significant impact on the history of India. It marked the end of:
    (A) The British East India Company’s rule over India
    (B) The Mughal Empire’s rule over India
    (C) The Maratha Empire’s rule over India
    (D) The British Raj

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