Administrative Changes after 1857: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)

Explanation

Pre-Congress associations like Madras Association, Indian Association were, active before the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885, laid the groundwork for India’s political awakening. These associations united educated Indians to demand reforms and fostered early nationalist sentiment.

Option (d) is correct: The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, established in 1867 in Pune, aimed to promote education, social welfare, and political reforms in India. In 1875, it submitted a petition to the House of Commons, demanding direct representation for India in the British Parliament. The petition argued that India, as part of the British Empire, deserved a voice in the legislative process to address Indian concerns and prevent policies harmful to its progress.

Explanation

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his Executive Council by replacing corporate functioning with a portfolio system. In the portfolio system individual members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council were assigned specific departments to manage, replacing the previous collective decision-making process. This shift strengthened the Viceroy’s authority, enabling more efficient governance. Before the Act, the Council functioned collectively but after it, the Viceroy had greater centralized control with Council members responsible for key areas like finance, law, and home affairs. This reorganization reinforced British control over colonial governance.