UPSC Prelims 2019 · Question 54 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2019 question on Charter Act 1813
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2019
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicConstitutional Development
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements about 'the Charter Act of 1813':
1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Verdict
Correct statements: 1 and 2 → Option (a).
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – CORRECT: The Charter Act of 1813 ended the monopoly of East India Company to trade with India, but the company retained the trade with China and the trade in tea. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: The company was allowed to continued territorial possession for period of 20 years i.e. from 1833 to 1853, without prejudice to the sovereignty of the Crown. The company was held in trust to the Crown. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3 – INCORRECT: The Charter Act of 1813 required the Company to maintain its territorial and commercial accounts separately. By this Act the Company was put under greater control of the British Crown, but could retain its hold on the details of administration and Indian revenues. It was only from 1853 that the revenues of India were controlled by the British Parliament. Hence Statement 3 is not correct.