UPSC Prelims 2002 Q60: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
Match List I (Acts of Colonial Government of India) with List II (Provisions) and select the
correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Acts)
A. Charter Act, 1813
B. Regulating Act
C. Act of 1858
D. Pitt’s India Act
List II (Provisions)
1. Set up a Board of Control in Britain to fully regulate the East India Company’s affairs in India
2. Company’s trade monopoly in India was ended
3. The power to govern was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown
4. The Company’s directors were asked to present to the British government all correspondence
and documents pertaining to the administration of the company
Codes:
- (a) A - 2 B - 4 C - 3 D - 1
- (b) A - 1 B - 3 C - 4 D - 2
- (c) A - 2 B - 3 C - 4 D - 1
- (d) A - 1 B - 4 C - 3 D - 2
Answer: (a) A - 2 B - 4 C - 3 D - 1
Explanation
Matching Acts of the colonial government with their provisions
| Act | Provision |
|---|---|
| A. Charter Act, 1813 | 2. Ended the Company's trade monopoly in India (except tea and China trade) |
| B. Regulating Act, 1773 | 4. Directors to present all correspondence and documents on administration to the government |
| C. Act of 1858 | 3. Power to govern passed from the Company to the Crown |
| D. Pitt's India Act, 1784 | 1. Set up the Board of Control |
The Charter Act of 1813 ended the Company's monopoly of trade. The Regulating Act of 1773 made the directors report to the government. The Act of 1858 transferred power to the Crown. Pitt's India Act of 1784 created the Board of Control. The code is A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1.
Answer: (a) A - 2, B - 4, C - 3, D - 1.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1 matches all four Acts.
- (b) Incorrect. It gives the Board of Control to the Charter Act, 1813.
- (c) Incorrect. It gives the Crown take-over to the Regulating Act.
- (d) Incorrect. It gives the Board of Control to the Charter Act, 1813.
Key point
Acts in order: Regulating 1773, Pitt's 1784, Charter 1793/1813/1833/1853, Crown rule 1858.
Remember
1813 ended the trade monopoly; 1833 ended all trade.
Common mistakes
- Giving the Board of Control to the Regulating Act.
- Dating the end of monopoly to the 1833 Act.
- Confusing the 1858 Act with the 1861 Councils Act.
Exam tip
1858 = Crown (3) and 1784 = Board of Control (1) are certain; check them against the options.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — Modern India
- Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (historical background)