Administrative changes were introduced in India after 1858

What administrative changes were introduced in India after 1858.
What were the objectives of these changes?

The Revolt of 1857, gave a severe jolt to the British administration in India and compelled it to reorganise its structure.

British Parliament brought the Government of India Act, 1858, which made the following changes:

• It transferred powers from the East India Company to the Crown.
• A member of British cabinet was made secretary of state of India to exercise powers on behalf of the Crown and was responsible to the British Cabinet.
• The Governor General for India was provided with an Executive Council, whose decision he was empowered to override.

The Indian Council's Act, 1861 made the following changes

• Enlarged Governor General's council for legislative purpose.
• 6-12 members could be inducted in Governor General Executive Council, of which at least half could be Indian or English.
• Imperial legislative body was merely an advisory body. 

The Indian Council's Act, 1892 made the following changes

• Additional members could be indirectly elected to the Legislative Council. For the fist time, an election was introduced.
• Budget could be discussed and questions could be asked by the indirectly elected members also.
• India was divided into provinces for administrative convenience. Bengal, Bombay and Madras were presidencies which had more powers than the provinces.
• The British reorganised the Indian Army but it was dominated by the European. In addition the maximum age for entry into the Civil Services was gradually reduced from 23 to 19. The Princely States were rewarded for their supportive to the British in 1857 Revolt. Their right to adopt heirs could be respected and integrity of their territories was granted against future annexation.

All these measures suggest that, an effort was made that no uprising as 1857, could emerge. The re-organisation of the army put a curb on the rebellious tendencies. Further, the Princely States were favored to provide cushion to British state against the rising Indian masses.

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CONSEQUENCES of the revolt of 1857

The revolt of 1857 marks a turning point in the history of India. It led to changes in the system of administration and the policy of the Government.

(i) The direct responsibility for the administration of the country was assumed by the British Crown and Company rule was abolished. The assumption of the Government of India by the sovereign of Great Britain was announced by Lord Canning at a durbar at Allahabad in the 'Queen's Proclamation' issued on November 1, 1858.

(ii) The era of annexations and expansion ended and the British promised to respect the dignity and rights of the native princes.

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(ii) The Indian states were henceforth to recognise the paramountcy of the British Crown and were to be treated as parts of a single charge.

(iii) The Army, which was at the forefront of the outbreak, was thoroughly reorganised and British military policy came to be dominated by the idea of "division and counterpoise".

(v) Racial hatred and suspicion between the Indians and the English was aggravated.