Executive of British India
The executive branch of the British Indian government was primarily led by the Governor-General or Viceroy, representing the British Crown, and assisted by a council of appointed officials. The structure of the executive evolved alongside changes in governance through various acts and reforms:
- Early Governance: Initially, the Governor-General was the supreme authority, appointed by the British Crown and responsible for administering British India. They had significant powers, including legislative, executive, and judicial functions.
- Councils and Administrative Structure: The Governor-General was supported by an Executive Council. The Governor-General and Council were responsible for policymaking, governance, and administration. Initially, these councils were composed solely of British officials.
- Indian Representation: Over time, there were incremental increases in Indian representation in the Executive Council. The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 introduced the concept of communal representation, allowing for Indian members in the council. However, British officials still held the majority.
- Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act of 1919): This introduced a significant shift by enlarging the powers of Indian members in the Executive Council. It aimed to increase Indian participation in governance, although the Governor-General still retained significant powers.
- Government of India Act of 1935: This Act proposed further changes, intending to introduce a federal structure with increased autonomy for provinces and expanded Indian representation in governance. However, the Act was complex and never fully implemented as intended.
Throughout this period, the Governor-General or Viceroy served as the head of the executive, representing the British Crown and exercising significant authority over governance. The Executive Council, which evolved to include Indian representation gradually, assisted in decision-making and governance matters. However, the ultimate authority and control remained with the British officials, reflecting the colonial nature of governance in British India.
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