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Indian Councils Act, 1861

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 aimed to decentralize legislative power and involve Indians in governance after the 1857 Revolt, albeit in a limited capacity. It introduced legislative councils for provinces and allowed for the nomination of Indian members, but these members were not elected and held no real power to influence legislation. The Act laid the groundwork for future legislative councils and initiated a portfolio system, marking a significant, albeit restricted, step towards Indian participation in governance.

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31 views1 page

Indian Councils Act, 1861

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 aimed to decentralize legislative power and involve Indians in governance after the 1857 Revolt, albeit in a limited capacity. It introduced legislative councils for provinces and allowed for the nomination of Indian members, but these members were not elected and held no real power to influence legislation. The Act laid the groundwork for future legislative councils and initiated a portfolio system, marking a significant, albeit restricted, step towards Indian participation in governance.

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invisible1367
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Indian Councils Act, 1861

Background Purpose Significance Limitations


After the Government of India Act, To reintroduce legislative decentralization First legal step toward associating Indian members were nominated, not
1858, British Crown took direct control Indians with law-making elected
To allow limited Indian participation in
Need to involve Indians in governance the legislative process Decentralization began with restoration No real power to influence legislation
to regain trust after the Revolt of 1857 of provincial legislatures
To restructure the Governor-General’s Councils were mostly advisory in
British aim: inclusion without power – Executive Council Introduced portfolio system, basis for nature
co-opt Indian elites while retaining modern cabinet system
control
Created a blueprint for future legislative
councils

Key Provisions

Expansion of Legislative Legislative Councils Portfolio System


Council for Provinces Nomination of Indians Ordinance Powers Introduced
Governor-General's Council Legislative Councils restored For the first time, Indians were Governor-General empowered Each member of the Executive
enlarged for legislative purposes for Bombay and Madras nominated to the Legislative to issue ordinances in urgent Council was given charge of a
Presidencies Council situations specific department
Council now had legislative and
executive functions distinctly Empowered to make laws for Not elected; they were mainly Valid for six months without Initiated under Lord Canning
recognized their respective provinces princes and zamindars council approval
Early form of ministerial
Step toward legislative Purpose: symbolic participation, responsibility
decentralization not real power-sharing

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