1.1 Historical Background of the Indian Constitution: The Company Rule & The Crown Rule

SIMPLY SMART

Introduction

The Indian Constitution did not emerge in a single day. It evolved through a long period of foreign rule, administrative experiments, political reforms, and growing national awakening. Two major phases played a crucial role in shaping India’s governance structure:

• The Company Rule (1757–1858)

• The Crown Rule (1858–1947)

Understanding these phases helps us see how India moved from colonial control to democratic self-governance, ultimately leading to the making of the Indian Constitution.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

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1. THE COMPANY RULE (1757–1858)

(Also called the East India Company Administration)

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Definition

The Company Rule refers to the period when the British East India Company governed and administered large parts of India after winning military and political control.

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Key Features of the Company Rule

1. Battle of Plassey (1757)

• Beginning of British political rule in India

• EIC defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah

• Company became a major political power

2. Battle of Buxar (1764)

• Secured British dominance over Bengal, Bihar, Odisha

• Company became Diwan of Bengal → Right to collect revenue

3. Regulating Act of 1773

The first attempt by the British Parliament to control the Company.
      Introduced:

• Governor-General of Bengal

• Supreme Court at Calcutta

• Regulation of Company’s political activities

4. Pitt’s India Act, 1784

Introduced Dual Government:

• Board of Control – British Government

• Court of Directors – Company
  Increased British government supervision over Company affairs.

5. Charter Acts (1793–1853)

Important reforms across decades:

• 1813 Act → Ended Company’s trade monopoly

• 1833 Act → Centralised administration; first attempt at all-India government

• 1853 Act → Introduced open competitive exams for Civil Services

6.  Administrative Features

• Highly centralized administration

• Revenue exploitation through Zamindari & Ryotwari

• Indians excluded from higher administration

• Militarized control

7. Social & Educational Reforms

• Abolition of Sati (1829)

• Introduction of Western Education (1835–1854)

• Growth of reform movements (Raja Ram Mohan Roy, etc.)

8. Major Drawbacks of the Company Rule

• Oppressive land revenue systems

• Economic drain

• Racial discrimination

• Exploitation and poverty

• Occurrence of large-scale famines

9. Climax: The Revolt of 1857

Also called The First War of Indian Independence.
It exposed:

• Misgovernance of Company

• Widespread dissatisfaction

• Need for direct British control

This ended the Company Rule.

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2. THE CROWN RULE (1858–1947)

(Also called the British Raj or Direct Rule)

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Definition

The Crown Rule began in 1858 when the British Government took direct control over India from the East India Company.

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Key Features of the Crown Rule

1. Government of India Act, 1858

• End of Company administration

• Queen Victoria’s Proclamation

• Introduction of:

  • Secretary of State for India

  • Viceroy (instead of Governor-General)

2. Indian Councils Act, 1861

• Beginning of Legislative Councils

• Very limited Indian participation

• Start of decentralization

3. Formation of Indian National Congress (1885)

• Platform for political demands

• Beginning of organized national movement

4. Morley–Minto Reforms (1909)

• Introduced Separate Electorates for Muslims

• Expanded legislative councils (but still limited)

5. Government of India Act, 1919

Also called Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms
Introduced Dyarchy in provinces:

• Reserved subjects (controlled by the British)

• Transferred subjects (controlled by Indians)

6. National Movement Intensifies

Major events:

• Non-Cooperation Movement

• Civil Disobedience Movement

• Quit India Movement
  Rise of:

• Mahatma Gandhi

• Jawaharlal Nehru

• Subhas Chandra Bose

7. Government of India Act, 1935

The most important act before the Constitution.

Major features:

• Provincial Autonomy

• Federal structure (not implemented)

• Bicameral federal legislature

• Blueprint for future Indian Constitution

8. Final Phase: World War II & Constitutional Steps

• Cripps Mission (1942)

• Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)

• Interim Government (1946)

• Mountbatten Plan (1947)

9. Indian Independence Act, 1947

• India & Pakistan created

• End of British rule

• Sovereignty returned to the Indian people

Conclusion

The Company Rule and Crown Rule played a major role in shaping India’s political and constitutional evolution.
While the Company Rule was marked by exploitation and misrule, the Crown Rule brought administrative reforms, political awakening, and the rise of nationalism.

Together, these phases created the conditions that led to India’s independence and eventually influenced the creation of the modern Indian Constitution.

— End of Article | Aivette-COI (Constitution of India by Aivette)

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