List of acts passed by British in India

1. Hindu Personal Law, 1772

2. Regulating Act of 1773

3. Pitt’s India Act of 1784

4. Charter Act of 1793

5. Charter Act of 1813

6. Charter Act of 1833

7. Charter Act of 1853

8. Bengal Regulation Act, 1818

9. Bengal Sati Regulation Act, 1829

10. Thugee and Dacoit Suppressions Acts, 1836

11. Indian Slavery Act, 1843

12. Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850

13. Hindu Widow’s Remarriage Act, 1856

14. Government of India Act, 1858

15. Societies Registration Act, 1860

16. Indian Penal Code, 1860

17. Frontiers Crime Regulation Act, 1860

18. Female Infanticide Prevention Act, 1870

19. Criminal Tribes Act, 1871

20. Christian Personal Law, 1872

21. Indian Contract Act, 1872

22. East India Stock Dividend Redemption Act, 1873

23. Dramatic Performances Act, 1876

24. Murderous Outrage Regulation, 1877

25. Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878

26. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

27. Transfer of Property Act, 1882

28. Ilbert Bill, 1883

29. Indian Telegraph Act, 1885

30. Age of Consent Act, 1891

31. Indian Councils Act, 1892

32. Punjab Land Alienation Act, 1900

33. Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904

34. Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act, 1907

35. Indian Councils Act, 1909 / Morley-Minto Reforms

36. Indian Press Act, 1910

37. Government of India Act, 1912

38. Ingress into India ordinance, 1914

39. Government of India Act, 1915

40. Defence of India Act, 1915

41. Rowlatt Act, 1919

42. Government of India Act, 1919

43. Official Secrets Act, 1923

44. Bengal Criminal Law Amendment, 1924

45. Indian Forest Act, 1927

46. Hindu Inheritance (Removal of Disabilities) Act, 1928

47. Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929

48. Indian Sale of Goods Act, 1930

49. Jain Law, 1930

50. Indian Partnership Act, 1932

51. Government of India Act, 1935.

52. The Foreigners Act 1946

53. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

54. Sindh Land Alienation Bill, 1947

55. Indian Independence Act, 1947

 

Legislations of British India – Introduction

It is one thing being familiar with the legislative acts passed during the British colonial rule but candidates must also know why some of these acts were passed. The display of extra knowledge will increase the chances of scoring higher marks in the exam. The purposes of some of these acts are highlighted below:

Legislation in British India - Name of Legislation - Purpose of Legislation - Date of Enactment

Regulating Act of 1773 - To overhaul management of  East India Company’s rule in India - June 10th, 1773

Pitt’s India Act of 1784 - This act was passed to address the shortcomings of the Regulating Act of 1773. It provided for the joint rule of the crown and company with the crown being the supreme authority. - August 13th, 1784

Charter Act of 1813 - It renewed the charter issued to East India Company by the British Crown but also ended the company’s monopoly in certain areas of trade. - (Royal Assent) July 21st, 1813

Bengal Sati Regulation Act of 1829 - This act made the practice of Sati illegal in all areas under company rule and its practitioners liable to prosecution - December 4th, 1829

Hindu Widows Remarriage Act of 1856 - This act legalised the remarriage of widows, who were earlier forbidden from marrying and shunned from society as a result. - July 26th, 1856

Government of India Act of 1858 - Following the 1857 mutiny, the British Parliament passed this act to liquidate the East India Company. The colonial rule of India came directly under the control of the British Government. This act marks the beginning of the British Raj. - August 2nd, 1858 (Commenced, 1st November 1858)

Indian Councils Act of 1892 - This act bought various amendments to the composition and function of legislative councils of British India - February 3rd, 1893 (Royal Assent on June 20th, 1892)

Government of India Act of 1919 - This act expanded the participation of Indians in the government of India when earlier only British members were allowed to take part. - December 23rd, 1919

Rowlatt Act, 1919 - This act indefinitely extended the emergency measures of preventive indefinite detention, incarceration without trial and judicial review enacted in the Defence of India Act 1915 - March 18th, 1919

Government of India Act of 1935 - The act allowed for a greater degree of autonomy to the provinces of British India ending the diarchy introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919 - April 1st, 1937 (Royal assent on 24th July 1935)

Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 - This act regulates the Indian Labour Law with regards to trade unions as well as individual workmen - April 1st, 1947

Indian Independence Act, 1947 - It is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent dominions of India and Pakistan. - August 15, 1947 (Royal assent – July 18th, 1947 

 

From: byjus.com

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