The Act of 1858: The Revolt of 1857-described as the Indian Mutiny by the British historians and as the First War of Independence by the Indians-was the first organised attempt to overthrow the British rule in India after it was firmly established. The Revolt which was eventually suppressed gave a death blow to the System of East India Company's rule in India. A new Act was passed by the British Parliament after much discussion of the Principles which should form the basis of a new policy. This Act finally became "The Act for the Good Government of India" of 1858. Under this Act all the Indian territories then "in possession of the Company" became vested in the Crown and were to be governed directly "by and in the name" of the Crown, acting through a Principal Secretary of State (for India). The Act of 1858 was, however, largely confined to the improvement of the administrative machinery by which the Indian Government was to be superintended and controlled in England. It did not alter in any substantial way the system of Government that prevailed in India.
0 comments: