UPSC Prelims 2019 Q4: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Charter Act of 1813: Key Provisions
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ended EIC trade monopoly EXCEPT tea and China trade | TRUE | The 1813 Charter opened Indian trade to all British subjects but retained EIC's monopoly over tea trade and trade with China for 20 more years (removed in 1833). |
| 2 | Asserted Crown sovereignty over Company-held Indian territories | TRUE | For the first time, the Act explicitly declared the constitutional position of British Crown's sovereignty over EIC's Indian territories. |
| 3 | Revenues of India controlled by British Parliament | FALSE | Revenues remained with the Company. Separate accounts (commercial vs territorial) were mandated, but Parliament did NOT take control of Indian revenues in 1813. |
Additional 1813 provisions: Rs 1 lakh/year for education of Indians (first state grant for Indian education); Christian missionaries allowed to enter India.
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Statements 1 and 2 are correct - monopoly ended (except tea/China) and Crown sovereignty asserted. Statement 3 is wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 3 (Parliament control of Indian revenues) is wrong - revenues stayed with the Company.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also correct (Crown sovereignty declaration), not just 1 and 3.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 is factually wrong.
Key point
Charter Act 1813: (i) Ended EIC monopoly EXCEPT tea & China. (ii) Asserted Crown sovereignty. (iii) Rs 1 lakh for education. (iv) Allowed missionaries. Did NOT transfer revenues to Parliament.
Remember
The Charter Act of 1813 ended the East India Company's trade monopoly in India (except for tea and trade with China), asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over Indian territories held by the Company, and allocated Rs 1 lakh for education - but did NOT transfer control of Indian revenues to the British Parliament.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Charter Act 1813 with 1833 (which ended tea/China monopoly too) or 1853 (which introduced open civil services).
- Assuming Parliament took over Indian revenues in 1813 - that authority remained with the Company until 1858.
- Missing the constitutional significance of the sovereignty clause - it laid the ground for direct Crown rule in 1858.
Exam tip
Charter Act mnemonic: 1813 = Trade opened + Education begins + Missionaries in. 1833 = Governor-General of India + Law Commission (Macaulay). 1853 = Open competition for ICS + Separation of legislative & executive.
Sources
- NCERT Class 8 - Our Pasts III (British rule chapters)
- Bipan Chandra - India's Struggle for Independence (Colonial economic policies)