Acts Passed by the British in India (18th-19th Century) - Explained
18th Century
1. Hindu Personal Law (1772)
o Introduced by Warren Hastings, this law codified Hindu religious laws and customs for legal cases
involving Hindus. It marked the beginning of the British administration's involvement in personal
laws in India.
2. Regulating Act (1773)
o The first attempt by the British Parliament to regulate the East India Company's activities in India. It
established a Governor-General of Bengal and a Supreme Court in Calcutta to address corruption and
governance issues.
3. Pitt’s India Act (1784)
o Named after British Prime Minister William Pitt, this act created a dual system of governance. A
Board of Control in Britain oversaw the East India Company’s political activities, ensuring
accountability.
4. Charter Act (1793)
o Renewed the East India Company's charter and strengthened the Governor-General’s authority. It
also increased the salaries of officials to reduce corruption.
19th Century
Early Reforms: 5. Charter Act (1813)
• Ended the East India Company’s trade monopoly except for trade in tea and with China. It allowed Christian
missionaries to preach and established funding for education in India.
6. Bengal Regulation Act (1818)
o Allowed preventive detention without trial to maintain law and order, particularly during unrest or
revolts.
7. Bengal Sati Regulation Act (1829)
o Passed under Governor-General Lord William Bentinck, it prohibited the practice of sati (self-
immolation of widows) and criminalized those who abetted it.
8. Thugee and Dacoit Suppression Acts (1836)
o Targeted the elimination of thugs (criminal gangs engaging in highway robbery and murder) and
dacoity, improving law enforcement.
9. Indian Slavery Act (1843)
o Officially abolished slavery in British India, making it illegal to own, buy, or sell slaves.
10. Caste Disabilities Removal Act (1850)
o Allowed individuals to convert from Hinduism to another religion without losing inheritance rights,
aimed at removing caste-based discrimination.
11. Charter Act (1853)
o The last charter act for the East India Company. It introduced an open competition system for civil
services and separated the executive and legislative functions of the Governor-General’s Council.
12. Hindu Widow’s Remarriage Act (1856)
o Promoted by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, this act legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows,
challenging traditional practices.
13. Government of India Act (1858)
o Transferred administrative control of India from the East India Company to the British Crown
following the Revolt of 1857.
14. Societies Registration Act (1860)
o Allowed the formation and legal recognition of voluntary associations for charitable, scientific, or
literary purposes.
15. Indian Penal Code (1860)
o Drafted by Thomas Babington Macaulay, it codified criminal law in India, which remains the
foundation of Indian criminal law today.
16. Frontiers Crime Regulation Act (1860)
• Established special laws and courts for tribal areas on the frontiers of British India, aimed at managing unrest
in these volatile regions.
17. Female Infanticide Prevention Act (1870)
• Passed to curb the widespread practice of female infanticide, especially in northern and western India, by
imposing strict penalties.
18. Criminal Tribes Act (1871)
• Classified certain tribes as "criminal by nature" and imposed surveillance, restrictions, and rehabilitation
measures. It was discriminatory and later repealed.
19. Christian Personal Law (1872)
• Governed marriage, divorce, and succession among Christians in India, marking the beginning of codified
personal laws for non-Hindu communities.
20. Indian Contract Act (1872)
• Provided a comprehensive framework for agreements and contracts, including principles of offer,
acceptance, and breach of contract.
21. East India Stock Dividend Redemption Act (1873)
• Allowed the British government to redeem shares of the East India Company after its dissolution in 1858.
22. Dramatic Performances Act (1876)
• Regulated theater performances, often used to curb plays that criticized British rule or incited rebellion.
23. Murderous Outrage Regulation (1877)
• Introduced stringent measures to address violent uprisings, granting special powers to authorities in affected
areas.
24. Indian Treasure Trove Act (1878)
• Governed the discovery and ownership of hidden treasures to prevent disputes and ensure government
oversight.
25. Negotiable Instruments Act (1881)
• Standardized rules for promissory notes, bills of exchange, and cheques, facilitating business transactions.
26. Transfer of Property Act (1882)
• Codified laws related to property transfer, including sale, mortgage, lease, and gift, creating a structured legal
framework.
27. Ilbert Bill (1883)
• Proposed to allow Indian judges to try European defendants. It faced strong opposition from British settlers
and was diluted, exposing racial discrimination.
28. Indian Telegraph Act (1885)
• Provided the government with control over telegraph services in India for communication and surveillance.
29. Age of Consent Act (1891)
• Raised the minimum age of consent for girls from 10 to 12 years, aiming to combat child marriage.
30. Indian Councils Act (1892)
• Increased Indian representation in legislative councils and allowed limited participation in administrative
discussions.
20th Century
31. Punjab Land Alienation Act (1900)
• Restricted the transfer of agricultural land from traditional agricultural castes to non-agricultural groups to
protect farmers from moneylenders.
32. Ancient Monuments Preservation Act (1904)
• Protected archaeological sites and monuments of historical importance.
33. Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act (1907)
• Prohibited public meetings that could incite anti-British sentiments or rebellion.
34. Indian Councils Act (1909) / Morley-Minto Reforms
• Introduced communal representation by granting separate electorates for Muslims and expanded legislative
councils.
35. Indian Press Act (1910)
• Imposed strict controls on newspapers and publications to suppress nationalist activities and anti-British
propaganda.
36. Government of India Act (1912)
• Minor administrative adjustments, including the separation of Bihar and Orissa from Bengal.
37. Ingress into India Ordinance (1914)
• Restricted entry into India of individuals deemed a threat to public safety or British rule.
38. Defence of India Act (1915)
• Enacted during World War I to curb revolutionary activities and maintain order.
39. Rowlatt Act (1919)
• Allowed detention without trial, sparking widespread protests and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
40. Government of India Act (1919)
• Introduced dyarchy (dual governance) in provinces, dividing subjects between elected Indian ministers and
British officials.
41. Official Secrets Act (1923)
• Penalized the sharing of information deemed harmful to British interests.
42. Bengal Criminal Law Amendment (1924)
• Provided extensive powers to suppress revolutionary and nationalist movements in Bengal.
43. Indian Forest Act (1927)
• Gave the government control over forests and forest produce, often restricting tribal rights.
44. Hindu Inheritance (Removal of Disabilities) Act (1928)
• Allowed individuals with certain disabilities to inherit property, promoting equality within Hindu inheritance
laws.
45. Child Marriage Restraint Act (1929)
• Prohibited child marriages, setting the minimum age for marriage at 14 for girls and 18 for boys.
46. Indian Sale of Goods Act (1930)
• Regulated the sale of goods and defined the rights and duties of buyers and sellers.
47. Jain Law (1930)
• Codified aspects of Jain religious laws, focusing on inheritance and succession.
48. Indian Partnership Act (1932)
• Defined rules for partnerships, including the rights, duties, and liabilities of partners.
49. Government of India Act (1935)
• Introduced provincial autonomy and federal governance, serving as a blueprint for India’s Constitution.
Post-Independence Transition
50. The Foreigners Act (1946)
• Governed the entry and stay of foreigners in India, granting the government wide powers for regulation.
51. Industrial Disputes Act (1947)
• Addressed industrial disputes and provided mechanisms for conciliation and arbitration.
52. Sindh Land Alienation Bill (1947)
• Aimed at protecting the land rights of Sindh farmers against exploitation.
53. Indian Independence Act (1947)
• Passed by the British Parliament, it granted independence to India and Pakistan, officially ending British rule.
