Imperial Legislative Council: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Legislature issued in the British Raj (1861–1947)}}
{{Infobox legislature
{{Infobox legislature
| name              = Imperial Legislative Council
| name              = Imperial Legislative Council
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| transcription_name =  
| transcription_name =  
| legislature        =  
| legislature        =  
| coa_pic            = Star-of-India-gold-centre.svg
| coa_pic            = Star of the Order of the Star of India (gold).svg
| coa_res            = 200px
| coa_res            = 200px
| coa_alt            =  
| coa_alt            =  
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| logo_res          =  
| logo_res          =  
| logo_alt          =  
| logo_alt          =  
| house_type        = [[Bicameralism|Bicameral]]
| house_type        = [[Unicameral]] (1861–1919)<br />[[Bicameral]] (1919–1947)
| body              =  
| body              =  
| houses            = [[Council of State (India)|Council of State]] (upper)<br>[[Central Legislative Assembly]] (lower)
| houses            = [[Council of State (India)|Council of State]] (upper)<br />[[Central Legislative Assembly]] (lower)
| term_limits        = Council of State: 5 years<br>Central Legislative Assembly: 3 years
| term_limits        = 5 years (Council of State)<br />3 years (Central Legislative Assembly)
| foundation        = {{Start date|df=yes|1861}}
| foundation        = {{Start date|df=yes|1861}}
| disbanded          = {{End date|df=yes|14 August 1947}}
| disbanded          = {{End date|1947|08|14|df=yes}}
| preceded_by        = [[Council of Four (India)|Governor-General's Council]]
| preceded_by        = [[Council of Four (India)|Governor-General's Council]]
| succeeded_by      = [[Constituent Assembly of India]]
| succeeded_by      = [[Constituent Assembly of India]]<br />[[Constituent Assembly of Pakistan]]
| new_session        =  
| new_session        =  
| leader1_type      =  
| leader1_type      =  
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| party6            =  
| party6            =  
| election6          =  
| election6          =  
| seats              = '''635''' {{small|(from 1919)}}<br>260 Members of Council of State<br>375 Members of Legislative Assembly
| seats              = 60 (Council of States)<br/>145 (Central Legislative Assembly)
| house1            =  
| house1            =  
| house2            =  
| house2            =  
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| last_election1    =  
| last_election1    =  
| last_election2    =  
| last_election2    =  
| previous_election1 =
| meeting_place      = [[Old Parliament House, New Delhi|Council House]], [[New Delhi]], [[British Raj|British India]] {{small|(from 1927)}}
| previous_election2 =
| meeting_place      = [[Sansad Bhavan|House of Parliament]], [[New Delhi]], [[Indian Empire|British India]] {{small|(from 1931)}}
| website            = <!-- {{URL|www.example.com}} -->
| website            = <!-- {{URL|www.example.com}} -->
| footnotes          =  
| footnotes          =  
| motto              =  
| motto              =
}}
}}


The '''Imperial Legislative Council''' was a [[legislature]] for [[British Raj|British India]] from 1861 to 1947. It succeeded the [[Council of Four (India)|Council of the Governor-General of India]], and was succeeded by the [[Constituent Assembly of India]] and after 1950, was succeeded by [[Parliament of India]].
The '''Imperial Legislative Council''' ('''ILC''') was the [[legislature]] of [[British Raj|British India]] from 1861 to 1947. It was established under the "Charter Act of 1853" by providing for the addition of six additional members to the Governor General Council for legislative purposes. Thus, the act separated the legislative and executive functions of the council and it was this body within the Governor General's Council which came to known as the '''Indian/Central Legislative Council'''. In 1861 it was renamed as ''Imperial Legislative Council'' and the strength was increased.
It succeeded the [[Council of Four (India)|Council of the Governor-General of India]], and was succeeded by the [[Constituent Assembly of India]] and after 1950, was succeeded by [[Parliament of India]].


During the rule of the [[East India Company]], the council of the [[Governor-General of India]] had both executive and legislative responsibilities. The council had four members of the Council elected by the Court of Directors. The first three members were permitted to participate on all occasions, but the fourth member was only allowed to sit and vote when legislation was being debated. In 1858, the British Crown took over the administration from the [[East India Company]]. The council was transformed into the Imperial Legislative Council, and the Court of Directors of the Company, which had the power to elect members of the Governor-General's Council, ceased to have this power. Instead, the one member who had a vote only on legislative questions came to be appointed by the Sovereign, and the other three members by the [[Secretary of State for India]].
During the rule of the [[East India Company]], the council of the [[Governor-General of India|governor-general of India]] had both executive and legislative responsibilities. The council had four members elected by the Court of Directors. The first three members were permitted to participate on all occasions, but the fourth member was only allowed to sit and vote when legislation was being debated.  
By [[Government of India Act 1858]], the British Crown took over the administration from the East India Company. The Court of Directors of the company, which had the power to elect members of the Governor-General's Council, ceased to have this power. Instead, the one member who had a vote only on legislative questions came to be appointed by the Sovereign, and the other three members by the [[Secretary of State for India]].


==Predecessors==
==Predecessors==
The [[Regulating Act of 1773]] limited the influence of the [[Governor-General of India]] and established the [[Council of Four (India)|Council of Four]], elected by the [[East India Company]]'s Court of Directors. [[Pitt's India Act]] of 1784 reduced the membership to three, and also established the [[India Board]].
The [[Regulating Act 1773]] limited the influence of the [[Governor-General of India]] and established the [[Council of Four (India)|Council of Four]], elected by the [[East India Company]]'s Court of Directors. [[Pitt's India Act]] of 1784 reduced the membership to three, and also established the [[India Board]].


==1861 to 1892==
==1861 to 1892==
The [[Indian Councils Act 1861]] made several changes to the Council's composition. The council was now called the Governor-General's Legislative Council or the Imperial Legislative Council. Three members were to be appointed by the [[Secretary of State for India]], and two by the Sovereign. (The power to appoint all five members passed to the Crown in 1869.) The viceroy was empowered to appoint an additional six to twelve members.{{cn|date=April 2021}} The five individuals appointed by the Indian Secretary or Sovereign headed the executive departments, while those appointed by the Governor-General debated and voted on legislation.
The [[Indian Councils Act 1861]] made several changes to the council's composition. The council was now called the '''Governor-General's Legislative Council''' or the Imperial Legislative Council. Three members were to be appointed by the [[Secretary of State for India]], and two by the Sovereign. (The power to appoint all five members passed to the Crown in 1869.) The viceroy was empowered to appoint an additional six to twelve members.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} The five individuals appointed by the Indian Secretary or Sovereign headed the executive departments, while those appointed by the Governor-General debated and voted on legislation.


===Indians in the Council===
===Indians in the Council===
There were 45 Indians nominated as additional non-official members from 1862 to 1892. Out of these 25 were [[zamindars]] and seven were rulers of [[princely states]]. The others were lawyers, magistrates, journalists and merchants.<ref>{{cite book|last=Banerjee|first=Anil Chandra|title=English Law in India|year=1984|page=143|isbn=9788170171836|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7MXExXXb9usC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Chandra|first=Bipan|title=India's Struggle for Independence|date=9 August 2016|isbn=9788184751833|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0q7xH06NrFkC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Buckland|first=Charles|title=Dictionary of Indian Biography|year=1999|isbn=9788170208976|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e_dA0RAwd4oC}}</ref> The participation of the Indian members in the council meetings was negligible.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bhattacharya|first=Sabyasachi|title=The Financial Foundations of the British Raj|year=2005|page=57|isbn=9788125029038|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BABluVWfMp8C}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Kashyap|first=Subhash|title=History of the Parliament of India|year=1994|isbn=9788185402345|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6KKbAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>
There were 45 Indians nominated as additional non-official members from 1862 to 1892. Out of these 25 were [[zamindars]] and seven were rulers of [[princely states]]. The others were lawyers, magistrates, journalists and merchants.<ref>{{cite book|last=Banerjee|first=Anil Chandra|title=English Law in India|year=1984|page=143|isbn=9788170171836|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7MXExXXb9usC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Chandra|first=Bipan|title=India's Struggle for Independence|date=9 August 2016|isbn=9788184751833|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0q7xH06NrFkC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Buckland|first=Charles|title=Dictionary of Indian Biography|year=1999|isbn=9788170208976|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e_dA0RAwd4oC}}</ref> The participation of the Indian members in the council meetings was negligible.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bhattacharya|first=Sabyasachi|title=The Financial Foundations of the British Raj|year=2005|page=57|isbn=9788125029038|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BABluVWfMp8C}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Kashyap|first=Subhash|title=History of the Parliament of India|year=1994|isbn=9788185402345|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6KKbAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>


* Raja Sir Deo Narayan Singh of Benaras (Jan 1862-1866)
* Raja Sir Deo Narayan Singh of Benaras (Jan 1862–1866)
* Narendra Singh, Maharaja of Patiala (Jan 1862-1864)
*[[Maharaja of Patiala|Maharaja]] [[Narinder Singh of Patiala|Narinder Singh]] of [[Patiala State|Patiala]] (Jan 1862 – Nov 1862)
*[[Dinkar Rao]] (Jan 1862-1864)
*[[Dinkar Rao]] (Jan 1862–1864)
*[[Yusef Ali Khan]], Nawab of Rampur (Sep 1863-1864)
*[[Yusef Ali Khan]], Nawab of Rampur (Sep 1863–1864)
* Maharaja Sir Mirza Gajapati Viziaram, Raj Bahadur of Vizianagram (Jan 1864-1866)(Apr 1872-1876)
* Maharaja Sir Mirza Gajapati Viziaram, Raj Bahadur of Vizianagram (Jan 1864–1866)(Apr 1872–1876)
* Raja Sir Sahib Dayal of Kishen Kot (Jan 1864-1866)
* Bir Bar Raja Sir Sahib Dayal of Kishen Kot (Jan 1864–1866)
* [[Bardhaman Raj#Mahtabchand Bahadur|Mahtabchand Bahadur]], Raja of Burdwan (Nov 1864-1866)
* [[Bardhaman Raj#Mahtabchand Bahadur|Mahtabchand Bahadur]], Raja of Burdwan (Nov 1864–1867)
* [[Khwaja Abdul Ghani]], Nawab of Dacca (Dec 1867-1869)
* [[Kalb Ali Khan]], Nawab of Rampur (Jan 1867–)(1878–1887)
* [[Prasanna Coomar Tagore]] (Dec 1867-1873)
* [[Khwaja Abdul Ghani]], Nawab of Dacca (Dec 1867–1869)
* Dheoraj Singh of Kashipur (Jan 1868-1870)
* [[Prasanna Coomar Tagore]] (Dec 1867–1873)
* Sawai Ram Singh II, Maharaja of Jaipur (Aug 1868-1870)(Aug 1871-1875)
* Raja Sheoraj Singh of Kashipur (Jan 1868–1870)
* Digvijay Singh, Raja of Balrampur (Oct 1868-1870)
* [[Ram Singh II]], Maharaja of Jaipur (Aug 1868–1870) and (Aug 1871–1875)
* [[Ramanath Tagore]] (Feb 1873-1875)
* Digvijay Singh, Raja of Balrampur (Oct 1868–1870)
*Raja Shamsher Parkash of [[Sirmur State|Sirmur]]
* [[Ramanath Tagore]] (Feb 1873–1875)
* Sir Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh, Maharaja of Benaras (1876)
* Raja Shamsher Parkash of [[Sirmur State|Sirmur]]
* [[Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh]], Maharaja of Benaras (1876)
* [[Sovabazar Raj|Sir Narendra Krishna Deb]] (1876)
* [[Sovabazar Raj|Sir Narendra Krishna Deb]] (1876)
* Nawab Faiz Ali Khan, Nawab Bahadur of [[Pahasu]] (1877)
* [[Muhammad Faiz Ali Khan]], Nawab Bahadur of [[Pahasu]] (Dec 1877)
* [[Kalb Ali Khan]], Nawab of Rampur (1878-1887)
* [[Syed Ahmad Khan]] (1878–1882)
* [[Syed Ahmad Khan]] (1878-1882)
* [[Jatindramohan Tagore]] (Bengal Zamindars) (1880–1881)
* [[Jatindramohan Tagore]] (Bengal Zamindars) (1880-1881)
* [[Raghubir Singh of Jind]] (1880)
* [[Raghubir Singh of Jind]] (1880)
* Raja Shiva Prasad of Benaras
* [[Raja Sivaprasad]] of Benaras
* Durga Charan Laha, Maharaja of Shyampukur (1882) (Calcutta Merchants)
* Durga Charan Laha, Maharaja of Shyampukur (1882–1889)
* [[Kristo Das Pal]] (1883)
* [[Kristo Das Pal]] (1883)
*[[Syed Ameer Ali]] (1883- )
* [[Syed Ameer Ali]] (1883–1885)
* [[Vishvanath Narayan Mandlik]] (1884-1887)<ref>http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/greater_bombay/publiclife.html</ref>
* [[Vishvanath Narayan Mandlik]] (1884–1887)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/greater_bombay/publiclife.html |title=Maharashtra State Gazetteers – Greater Bombay District |publisher=Cultural.maharashtra.gov.in |date= |accessdate=2022-08-11}}</ref>
* Sir Shankar Bakhsh Singh (1886)
* [[Lakshmeshwar Singh]] (1885–1888)
* Peary Mohan Mukherjea
* Peary Mohan Mukherjea (1885–1888)
* [[Dinshaw Maneckji Petit]] (1886)
* Syud Ameer Hossain (1886–1889)
* [[Khwaja Ahsanullah]]
* [[Mohammad Amir Hasan Khan]] (1886)
* Sir [[Romesh Chandra Mitra]], Bengal
* Sir Shankar Bakhsh Singh (1886–1888)
* Krishnaji Lakshman Nulkar, Bombay (1890-1891)
* [[Dinshaw Maneckji Petit]] (1886–1888)
* Nawab Nawazish Ali Khan (Jul 1887-Sep 1888)
* [[Pusapati Ananda Gajapati Raju]] (1888–1889)
* Muhammad Ali Khan (1889–1891)
* [[Khem Singh Bedi]] (1889)
* [[Khwaja Ahsanullah]] (1890–1892)
* Sir [[Romesh Chandra Mitra]] (1890–1891)
* [[Krishnaji Lakshman Nulkar]], Bombay (1890–1891)
* [[Udai Pratap Singh of Bhinga]] (1891–1892)
* [[Rashbihari Ghosh]] (1892)
* [[Rashbihari Ghosh]] (1892)
* [[P. Chentsal Rao]] (1892)


==1892 to 1909==
==1892 to 1909==
The [[Indian Councils Act 1892]] increased the number of legislative members with a minimum of ten and maximum of sixteen members. The Council now had 6 officials, 5 nominated non-officials, 4 nominated by the provincial legislative councils of [[Bengal Presidency]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[Madras Presidency]] and [[North-Western Provinces]] and 1 nominated by the chamber of commerce in Calcutta. The members were allowed to ask questions in the Council but not allowed to ask supplementaries or discuss the answer. They were however empowered to discuss the annual financial statement under certain restrictions but could not vote on it.
The [[Indian Councils Act 1892]] increased the number of legislative members with a minimum of ten and maximum of sixteen members. The council now had 6 officials, 5 nominated non-officials, 4 nominated by the provincial legislative councils of [[Bengal Presidency]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[Madras Presidency]] and [[North-Western Provinces]] and 1 nominated by the chamber of commerce in Calcutta. The members were allowed to ask questions in the council but not allowed to ask supplementaries or discuss the answer. They were however empowered to discuss the annual financial statement under certain restrictions but could not vote on it.


===Indians in the Council===
===Indians in the Council===
*[[Pherozeshah Mehta]], Bombay (1893-1896)(1898-1901)
*[[Pherozeshah Mehta]], Bombay (1893–1896) (1898–1901)
*[[Lakshmeshwar Singh]], Bengal (1893-1898)
*[[Lakshmeshwar Singh]], Bengal (1893–1898)
*Baba Khem Singh Bedi, Punjab nominated (1893-1897), Punjab (1897-1905)
*[[Khem Singh Bedi]], Punjab nominated (1893–1897), Punjab (1897–1905)
*Fazulbhai Vishram, Bombay nominated (1893-)
*[[Udai Pratap Singh of Bhinga]] (1893)
*[[Gangadhar Rao Chitnavis]], Central Provinces nominated (1893-1909)
*Fazulbhai Vishram, Bombay nominated (1893–)
*[[Mir Humayun Jah Bahadur]] (1893-)
*[[Gangadhar Rao Chitnavis]], Central Provinces nominated (1893–1909)
*[[Rashbihari Ghosh]] (1894-1908)
*[[Mir Humayun Jah Bahadur]] (1893–)
*[[Rashbihari Ghosh]] (1894–1908)
*Babu Mohini Mohan Roy (1894)
*Babu Mohini Mohan Roy (1894)
*[[Anandacharlu|P. Ananda Charlu]], Madras (1895-1903)
*[[Anandacharlu|P. Ananda Charlu]], Madras (1895–1903)
*[[Rahimtulla M. Sayani]], Bombay (1896-1898)
*[[Rahimtulla M. Sayani]], Bombay (1896–1898)
*Nawab Amiruddin Ahmad Khan of [[Loharu]] (1897)
*Nawab Amiruddin Ahmad Khan of [[Loharu]] (1897)
*Balwant Rao Bhuskute, Central Provinces (1896-1897)
*Balwant Rao Bhuskute, Central Provinces (1896–1897)
*Pandit Bishambar Nath (1897)
*Pandit Bishambar Nath (1897)
*Joy Gobind Laha (1897)
*Joy Gobind Laha (1897)
*[[Nawab Faiyaz Ali Khan]], Nawab Bahadur of [[Pahasu]], North-West Provinces (1898-1900)
*[[Nawab Faiyaz Ali Khan]], Nawab Bahadur of [[Pahasu]], North-West Provinces (1898–1900)
*[[Rameshwar Singh Bahadur]], Bengal nominated (1899-1904), Bengal (1904-)
*[[Rameshwar Singh Bahadur]], Bengal nominated (1899–1904), Bengal (1904–)
*[[Apcar Alexander Apcar]], Bengal Chamber of Commerce (1900-1903)
*[[Apcar Alexander Apcar]], Bengal Chamber of Commerce (1900–1903)
*[[Syed Hussain Bilgrami]] (1902-1908)<ref>{{cite book|last1=Abdul|first1=Latif Sayyid|title=Addresses Poems and Other Writings|publisher=The Government Central Press|url=https://archive.org/details/addressespoemsan031005mbp}}</ref>
*[[Syed Hussain Bilgrami]] (1902–1908)<ref>{{cite book|last1=Abdul|first1=Latif Sayyid|title=Addresses Poems and Other Writings|date=30 November 1924|publisher=The Government Central Press|url=https://archive.org/details/addressespoemsan031005mbp}}</ref>
*Raja [[Surendra Bikram Prakash|Surindar Bikram Prakash Bahadur]] of [[Sirmur State|Sirmur]] (1902-1907)
*Raja [[Surendra Bikram Prakash|Surindar Bikram Prakash Bahadur]] of [[Sirmur State|Sirmur]] (1902–1907)
*[[Aga Khan III]], nominated (1903)
*[[Aga Khan III]], nominated (1903)
*[[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]], Bombay (1903-1909)
*[[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]], Bombay (1903–1909)
*[[Ernest Cable, 1st Baron Cable|Ernest Cable]], Bengal Chamber of Commerce (1903-)
*[[Ernest Cable, 1st Baron Cable|Ernest Cable]], Bengal Chamber of Commerce (1903–)
* Rai [[Sri Ram]] Bahadur, United Provinces (1903-)
* Rai [[Sri Ram]] Bahadur, United Provinces (1903–)
*[[Bipin Krishna Bose]], Central Provinces (1903-)
*[[Bipin Krishna Bose]], Central Provinces (1903–)
* Wadero Ghulam Kadir M.B.E Nominated Ratodero Larrkanao(1913)
* Wadero Ghulam Kadir M.B.E Nominated Ratodero Larrkanao(1913)
*[[Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur]], Madras (1903-1909)
*[[Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur]], Madras (1903–1909)
*[[Nawab Fateh Ali Khan Kazilbash]], Punjab (1904)
*[[Nawab Fateh Ali Khan Kazilbash]], Punjab (1904)
*[[R. G. Bhandarkar]] (1903)
*[[R. G. Bhandarkar]] (1903)
*[[Ripudaman Singh]] (1906-1908)
*[[Ripudaman Singh]] (1906–1908)
*Nawab [[Khwaja Salimullah]] (1908)
*Nawab [[Khwaja Salimullah]] (1908)
*[[Asutosh Mookerjee]] (1908)
*[[Asutosh Mookerjee]] (1908)
*Munshi Madho Lal, United Provinces (1907-1909)
*Munshi Madho Lal, United Provinces (1907–1909)
*[[Theodore Morison]] (1908)
*[[Theodore Morison]] (1908)
*Maing Ba Tow (1908)
*Maing Ba Tow (1908)
Line 148: Line 159:
The [[Indian Councils Act 1909]] increased the number of members of the Legislative Council to 60, of whom 27 were to be elected. For the first time, Indians were admitted to membership, and there were six Muslim representatives, the first time that such representation had been given to a religious group.
The [[Indian Councils Act 1909]] increased the number of members of the Legislative Council to 60, of whom 27 were to be elected. For the first time, Indians were admitted to membership, and there were six Muslim representatives, the first time that such representation had been given to a religious group.


The composition of the Council was as follows:<ref>{{cite book|last=Mukherji|first=P.|title=Indian constitutional documents, 1773-1915|url=https://archive.org/stream/indianconstituti00mukeuoft#page/306/mode/2up}}</ref>  
The composition of the council was as follows:<ref>{{cite book|last=Mukherji|first=P.|title=Indian constitutional documents, 1773–1915|year=1915|publisher=Calcutta, Spink|url=https://archive.org/stream/indianconstituti00mukeuoft#page/306/mode/2up}}</ref>  
* Ex-officio members from the [[Viceroy's Executive Council]] (9)
* Ex-officio members from the [[Viceroy's Executive Council]] (9)
* Nominated officials (28)
* Nominated officials (28)
Line 160: Line 171:
==Indians in the Council (1909–20)==
==Indians in the Council (1909–20)==
===Nominated Officials===
===Nominated Officials===
*Kiran Chandra De Mahesh
*Kiran Chandra De


===Nominated Non-Officials===
===Nominated Non-Officials===
* [[Surendranath Banerjee]] (1913-1920),<ref>http://www.indiavideo.org/text/surendranath-banerji-1223.php</ref> Raja Piari Mohan Mukherjee (1915), Sir Fazalbhoy [[Currimbhoy Ebrahim]] (-1920), [[Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata]] (1920)
* [[Surendranath Banerjee]] (1913–1920),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiavideo.org/text/surendranath-banerji-1223.php|title=Surendranath Banerji, freedom fighter, India}}</ref> Raja Peary Mohan Mukherjee (1915), Sir Fazalbhoy [[Currimbhoy Ebrahim]] (−1920), [[Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata]] (1920)


===Bengal===
===Bengal===
* General: [[Sachchidananda Sinha]] (1910–12), [[Bhupendra Nath Bose]] (1911–19), Lalit Mohan Chatterjee,<ref name="BL">http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselect/PhotoEnqFull.asp?PrintID=21643</ref> Rai Sita Nath Ray Bahadur (1916–19)
* General: [[Sachchidananda Sinha]] (1910–12), [[Bhupendra Nath Bose]] (1911–19), Lalit Mohan Chatterjee,<ref name="BL">{{cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselect/PhotoEnqFull.asp?PrintID=21643|title=Login|access-date=2013-08-21|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225354/http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselect/PhotoEnqFull.asp?PrintID=21643|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rai Sita Nath Ray Bahadur (1916–19)
* Muslims: [[Nawaab Syed Shamsul Huda|Syed Shamsul Huda]] (1911–15), A. K. Ghuznavi (1911), Maulvi Abdul Rahim (1916-1919), [[Nawab Bahadur Syed Nawab Ali Chowdhury]] (1916–20)
* Muslims: [[Nawaab Syed Shamsul Huda|Syed Shamsul Huda]] (1911–15), [[Abdul Karim Ghaznavi]] (1911), Maulvi Abdul Rahim (1916–1919), [[Nawab Bahadur Syed Nawab Ali Chowdhury]] (1916–20)
* Landholders: [[Bijoy Chand Mahtab]] (1909–12), [[Manindra Chandra Nandy]] (1916–19)
* Landholders: [[Bijoy Chand Mahtab]] (1909–12), [[Manindra Chandra Nandy]] (1916–19)


===Bihar & Orissa===
===Bihar & Orissa===
* General: [[Sachchidananda Sinha]] (1912–20), [[Madhusudan Das]] (1913), Rai Bahadur Krishna Sahay (1916-1919)
* General: [[Sachchidananda Sinha]] (1912–20), [[Madhusudan Das]] (1913), Rai Bahadur Krishna Sahay (1916–1919)
* Muslims: Mulana Mazharul Haque (1910–11), Syed Ali Imam (1912)<ref>[[Wikisource:Page:The Indian Biographical Dictionary.djvu/239]]</ref> Quamrul Huda (1915),<ref>[[Wikisource:Page:The Indian Biographical Dictionary.djvu/375]]</ref> [[Mohammad Yunus (politician)|Mohammad Yunus]] (1916)
* Muslims: [[Maulana Mazharul Haque]] (1910–11), [[Syed Ali Imam]] (1912)<ref>[[Wikisource:Page:The Indian Biographical Dictionary.djvu/239]]</ref> Quamrul Huda (1915),<ref>[[Wikisource:Page:The Indian Biographical Dictionary.djvu/375]]</ref> [[Mohammad Yunus (Indian politician)|Mohammad Yunus]] (1916)
* Landholders: Rajendra Narayan Bhanja Deo Raja of Kanika (1916-1920)<ref name="BL"/>
* Landholders: Rajendra Narayan Bhanja Deo Raja of Kanika (1916–1920)<ref name="BL"/>


===Bombay===
===Bombay===
*General: [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]] (1909-1915), [[Vithalbhai Patel]] (1912), [[Dinshaw Edulji Wacha]] (1916-1920), Lallubhai Samaldas Mehta, Pheroze Sethna, Sir [[Vithaldas Thackersey]]
*General: [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]] (1909–1915), [[Vithalbhai Patel]] (1912), [[Dinshaw Edulji Wacha]] (1916–1920), [[Lallubhai Samaldas]], [[Pheroze Sethna]], Sir [[Vithaldas Thackersey]]
* Muslim: [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] (1910-1911)(1916-1919), Ghulam Muhammad Bhurgri (1911-1912), [[Ibrahim Rahimtoola]] (1913-1919), Sir [[Shah Nawaz Bhutto]]
* Muslim: [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] (1910–1911) and (1916–1919), [[Ghulam Muhammad Khan Bhurgri]] (1911–1912), [[Ibrahim Rahimtoola]] (1913–1919), Sir [[Shah Nawaz Bhutto]]
* Landholders: [[Sir Sassoon David, 1st Baronet]] (1910), Wadero Ghulam Kadir Dayo 1913 1914, Khan Bahadur Saiyed Allahondo Shah (1916-1919)
* Landholders: [[Sir Sassoon David, 1st Baronet]] (1910), Wadero Ghulam Kadir Dayo 1913 1914, Khan Bahadur Saiyed Allahondo Shah (1916–1919)


===Burma===
===Burma===
* General: [[Maung Mye]] (1915), Maing Ba Tu (1911-1920)
* General: [[Maung Mye]] (1915), Maing Ba Tu (1911–1920)


===Central Provinces===
===Central Provinces===
* General: Sir Manekji Byramji Dadabhoy (1911-1917), [[Raghunath Narasinha Mudholkar]] (1911-1912), V. R. Pandit, General (1915),<ref name=TIBD>{{cite book|last1=Rao|first1=C. Hayavando|title=The Indian Biographical Dictionary|date=1915|publisher=Madras : Pillar|pages=606|url=https://archive.org/details/indianbiographic00raoc}}</ref> [[Ganesh Shrikrishna Khaparde]] (1918-1920), Rai Sahib Seth Nath Mal<ref name="BL"/>
* General: [[Maneckji Byramji Dadabhoy|Sir Maneckji Byramji Dadabhoy]] (1911–1917), [[Raghunath Narasinha Mudholkar]] (1911–1912), V. R. Pandit, General (1915),<ref name="TIBD">{{cite book |last1=Rao |first1=C. Hayavando |url=https://archive.org/details/indianbiographic00raoc |title=The Indian Biographical Dictionary |date=1915 |publisher=Pillar & Co |location=Madras |page=606}}</ref> [[Ganesh Shrikrishna Khaparde]] (1918–1920), Rai Sahib Seth Nath Mal<ref name="BL"/>
*Landholders: Sir [[Gangadhar Rao Chitnavis]] (1893-1916), Pandit Bishan Dutt Shukul (1916-1919)<ref>{{cite book|last=Brown|first=Judith M.|title=Gandhi's Rise to Power: Indian Politics 1915-1922|date=26 September 1974|page=162|isbn=9780521098731|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUo4AAAAIAAJ}}</ref>
*Landholders: Sir [[Gangadhar Rao Chitnavis]] (1893–1916), Pandit Bishan Dutt Shukul (1916–1919)<ref>{{cite book|last=Brown|first=Judith M.|title=Gandhi's Rise to Power: Indian Politics 1915–1922|date=26 September 1974|page=162|isbn=9780521098731|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUo4AAAAIAAJ}}</ref>


===East Bengal & Assam===
===East Bengal & Assam===
* General: Kamini Kumar Chanda (1920)<ref>{{cite book|last=Bakshi|first=S. R.|title=Punjab Through the Ages|page=22}}</ref>  
* General: Kamini Kumar Chanda (1920)<ref>{{cite book|last=Bakshi|first=S. R.|title=Punjab Through the Ages|page=22}}</ref>  
* Landholders: Pramathanath Roy, Raja of Dighapatia (1911-1915)
* Landholders: Pramathanath Roy, Raja of Dighapatia (1911–1915)


===Madras===
===Madras===
* General: [[N. Subba Rao Pantulu]] (1910-1913), [[C. Vijayaraghavachariar]] (1913-1916), [[V. S. Srinivasa Sastri]] (1916-1919), [[B. N. Sarma]] (1916-1919), [[Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu]] (1920),<ref name="BL"/> [[T. Rangachari]], [[M. Ct. Muthiah Chettiar]]
* General: [[N. Subba Rao Pantulu]] (1910–1913), [[C. Vijayaraghavachariar]] (1913–1916), [[V. S. Srinivasa Sastri]] (1916–1919), [[B. N. Sarma]] (1916–1919), [[Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu]] (1920),<ref name="BL"/> [[T. Rangachari]], [[M. Ct. Muthiah Chettiar]]
* Muslim: [[Ghulam Muhammad Ali Khan]] (1910-1913), [[Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur]] (1909-1919), Khan Bahadur Mir Asad Ali (1916-1919)<ref name="BL"/>
* Muslim: [[Ghulam Muhammad Ali Khan]] (1910–1913), [[Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur]] (1909–1919), Khan Bahadur Mir Asad Ali (1916–1919)<ref name="BL"/>
* Landholders: [[Veerabhadra Raju Bahadur]] (1912), [[Raja of Panagal]] (1912-1915), K. V. Rangaswamy Iyengar (1916-1919)
* Landholders: [[Veerabhadra Raju Bahadur]] (1912), [[Raja of Panagal]] (1912–1915), K. V. Rangaswamy Iyengar (1916–1919)


===Punjab===
===Punjab===
* General: Raja Sir Daljit Singh (1913-1915),{{cn|date=June 2020}} Sir Runbhir Singh (1915),<ref name="TIBD"/> Dewan Tek Chand (1915-1917), [[Sundar Singh Majithia]] (1917-1920)
* General: Raja Sir [[Daljit Singh (politician, born 1882)|Daljit Singh]] (1913–1915),{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} Sir Ranbir Singh of Patiala (1915),<ref name="TIBD"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Griffin |first=Lepel H. |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.7228 |title=Chiefs and families of note in the Punjab |date= |publisher=Government Printing |year=1910 |volume=2 |location=Lahore |page=397}}</ref> Dewan Tek Chand (1915–1917), [[Sundar Singh Majithia]] (1917–1920)
* Muslims: Sir [[Zulfikar Ali Khan]] (1910-1920),<ref name="BL"/> [[Muhammad Shafi]] (1917)
* Muslims: Sir [[Zulfikar Ali Khan]] (1910–1920),<ref name="BL"/> [[Muhammad Shafi]] (1917)
* Landholders: [[Pratap Singh of Kapurthala]] (1910-1911), Col. Raja Jai Chand, Sir [[Malik Umar Hayat Khan]] (1911-1920)
* Landholders: [[Pratap Singh of Kapurthala]] (1910–1911), Col. Raja Jai Chand, Sir [[Malik Umar Hayat Khan]] (1911–1920)
* Chiefs : Sultan Karam Dad Khan of Pharwala (1918)
* Chiefs : Sultan Karam Dad Khan of Pharwala (1918)


===United Provinces===
===United Provinces===
* General: [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]] (1911-1919), [[Bishan Narayan Dar]] (1914-1920),<ref name="TIBD"/> [[Tej Bahadur Sapru]] (1916-1919)
* General: [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]] (1911–1919), [[Bishan Narayan Dar]] (1914–1920),<ref name="TIBD"/> [[Tej Bahadur Sapru]] (1916–1919)
* Muslims: Sir [[Mohammad Ali Mohammad Khan]] [[Raja]] of [[Mahmudabad, India|Mahmudabad]] (1909-1912),<ref name="BL2">http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselect/PhotoEnqFull.asp?PrintID=53620&RecNo=2&intPhSearchNo=3422890</ref> Nawab Abdul Majid (1912),<ref name="BL2"/> [[Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan]]<ref name="BL"/>
* Muslims: Sir [[Mohammad Ali Mohammad Khan]] [[Raja]] of [[Mahmudabad, India|Mahmudabad]] (1909–1912),<ref name="BL2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselect/PhotoEnqFull.asp?PrintID=53620&RecNo=2&intPhSearchNo=3422890|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130821101636/http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselect/PhotoEnqFull.asp?PrintID=53620&RecNo=2&intPhSearchNo=3422890|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2013|title=Login}}</ref> Nawab Abdul Majid (1912),<ref name="BL2"/> [[Nawab Mohammad Ismail Khan]]<ref name="BL"/>
* Landholders: Raja Sir Rampal Singh of Kurri Sudauli<ref name="BL"/>
* Landholders: Raja Sir Rampal Singh of Kurri Sudauli<ref name="BL"/>


==1920 to 1947==
==1920 to 1947==
{{Main|Central Legislative Assembly|Council of State (India)}}
{{Main|Central Legislative Assembly|Council of State (India)}}
Under the [[Government of India Act 1919]], the Imperial Legislative Council was converted into a bicameral legislature with the [[Central Legislative Assembly|Imperial Legislative Assembly]] (also known as the Central Legislative Assembly) as the lower house of a [[bicameral]] legislature and the [[Council of State (India)|Council of State]] as the upper house, reviewing legislation passed by the Assembly. The Governor-General nonetheless retained significant power over legislation. He could authorise the expenditure of money without the Legislature's consent for "ecclesiastical, political [and] defence" purposes, and for any purpose during "emergencies". He was permitted to veto, or even stop debate on, any bill. If he recommended the passage of a bill, but only one chamber co-operated, he could declare the bill passed over the objections of the other chamber. The Legislature had no authority over foreign affairs and defence. The President of the Council of State was appointed by the Governor-General; the Central Legislative Assembly elected its own President, apart from the first, but the election required the Governor-General's approval.
Under the [[Government of India Act 1919]], the Imperial Legislative Council was converted into a bicameral legislature with the [[Central Legislative Assembly|Imperial Legislative Assembly]] (also known as the Central Legislative Assembly) as the lower house of a [[bicameral]] legislature and the [[Council of State (India)|Council of State]] as the upper house, reviewing legislation passed by the Assembly. The Governor-General nonetheless retained significant power over legislation. He could authorise the expenditure of money without the Legislature's consent for "ecclesiastical, political [and] defence" purposes, and for any purpose during "emergencies". He was permitted to veto, or even stop debate on, any bill. If he recommended the passage of a bill, but only one chamber co-operated, he could declare the bill passed over the objections of the other chamber. The legislature had no authority over foreign affairs and defence. The President of the Council of State was appointed by the Governor-General; the Central Legislative Assembly elected its own President, apart from the first, but the election required the Governor-General's approval.


Under the [[Indian Independence Act 1947]], the Imperial Legislative Council and its houses were dissolved on 14 August 1947 and was replaced by the [[Constituent Assembly of India]] and the [[Constituent Assembly of Pakistan]].
Under the [[Indian Independence Act 1947]], the Imperial Legislative Council and its houses were dissolved on 14 August 1947 and was replaced by the [[Constituent Assembly of India]] and the [[Constituent Assembly of Pakistan]].


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Supreme Council of Bengal]]
* [[India Board]]
* [[Secretary of State for India]]
* [[East India Company]]
* [[Council of India]]
* [[Council of India]]
* [[Council of State (India)]]
* [[Council of State (India)]]
Line 219: Line 234:
* [[Central Legislative Assembly]]
* [[Central Legislative Assembly]]
* [[Interim Government of India]]
* [[Interim Government of India]]
* [[Government of British Raj]]
* [[List of acts of the Parliament of India]]


==References==
==References==
Line 230: Line 247:
[[Category:Imperial Legislative Council of India| ]]
[[Category:Imperial Legislative Council of India| ]]
[[Category:1861 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:1861 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:Defunct bicameral legislatures]]

Latest revision as of 14:29, 26 March 2026


Imperial Legislative Council
Type
Type
Unicameral (1861–1919)
Bicameral (1919–1947)
HousesCouncil of State (upper)
Central Legislative Assembly (lower)
Term limits
5 years (Council of State)
3 years (Central Legislative Assembly)
History
Founded1861 (1861)
Disbanded14 August 1947 (1947-08-14)
Preceded byGovernor-General's Council
Succeeded byConstituent Assembly of India
Constituent Assembly of Pakistan
Seats60 (Council of States)
145 (Central Legislative Assembly)
Meeting place
Council House, New Delhi, British India (from 1927)

The Imperial Legislative Council (ILC) was the legislature of British India from 1861 to 1947. It was established under the "Charter Act of 1853" by providing for the addition of six additional members to the Governor General Council for legislative purposes. Thus, the act separated the legislative and executive functions of the council and it was this body within the Governor General's Council which came to known as the Indian/Central Legislative Council. In 1861 it was renamed as Imperial Legislative Council and the strength was increased. It succeeded the Council of the Governor-General of India, and was succeeded by the Constituent Assembly of India and after 1950, was succeeded by Parliament of India.

During the rule of the East India Company, the council of the governor-general of India had both executive and legislative responsibilities. The council had four members elected by the Court of Directors. The first three members were permitted to participate on all occasions, but the fourth member was only allowed to sit and vote when legislation was being debated. By Government of India Act 1858, the British Crown took over the administration from the East India Company. The Court of Directors of the company, which had the power to elect members of the Governor-General's Council, ceased to have this power. Instead, the one member who had a vote only on legislative questions came to be appointed by the Sovereign, and the other three members by the Secretary of State for India.

Predecessors[edit | edit source]

The Regulating Act 1773 limited the influence of the Governor-General of India and established the Council of Four, elected by the East India Company's Court of Directors. Pitt's India Act of 1784 reduced the membership to three, and also established the India Board.

1861 to 1892[edit | edit source]

The Indian Councils Act 1861 made several changes to the council's composition. The council was now called the Governor-General's Legislative Council or the Imperial Legislative Council. Three members were to be appointed by the Secretary of State for India, and two by the Sovereign. (The power to appoint all five members passed to the Crown in 1869.) The viceroy was empowered to appoint an additional six to twelve members.[citation needed] The five individuals appointed by the Indian Secretary or Sovereign headed the executive departments, while those appointed by the Governor-General debated and voted on legislation.

Indians in the Council[edit | edit source]

There were 45 Indians nominated as additional non-official members from 1862 to 1892. Out of these 25 were zamindars and seven were rulers of princely states. The others were lawyers, magistrates, journalists and merchants.[1][2][3] The participation of the Indian members in the council meetings was negligible.[4][5]

1892 to 1909[edit | edit source]

The Indian Councils Act 1892 increased the number of legislative members with a minimum of ten and maximum of sixteen members. The council now had 6 officials, 5 nominated non-officials, 4 nominated by the provincial legislative councils of Bengal Presidency, Bombay Presidency, Madras Presidency and North-Western Provinces and 1 nominated by the chamber of commerce in Calcutta. The members were allowed to ask questions in the council but not allowed to ask supplementaries or discuss the answer. They were however empowered to discuss the annual financial statement under certain restrictions but could not vote on it.

Indians in the Council[edit | edit source]

1909 to 1920[edit | edit source]

The Indian Councils Act 1909 increased the number of members of the Legislative Council to 60, of whom 27 were to be elected. For the first time, Indians were admitted to membership, and there were six Muslim representatives, the first time that such representation had been given to a religious group.

The composition of the council was as follows:[8]

  • Ex-officio members from the Viceroy's Executive Council (9)
  • Nominated officials (28)
  • Nominated non-officials (5): Indian commercial community (1), Punjab Muslims (1), Punjab Landholders (1), Others (2)
  • Elected from provincial legislatures (27)
    • General (13): Bombay(2), Madras(2), Bengal(2), United Provinces(2), Central Provinces, Assam, Bihar & Orissa, Punjab, Burma
    • Landholders (6): Bombay, Madras, Bengal, United Provinces, Central Provinces, Bihar & Orissa
    • Muslim (6): Bengal (2), Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Bihar & Orissa
    • Commerce (2): Bengal Chamber of Commerce (1), Bombay Chamber of Commerce

Indians in the Council (1909–20)[edit | edit source]

Nominated Officials[edit | edit source]

  • Kiran Chandra De

Nominated Non-Officials[edit | edit source]

Bengal[edit | edit source]

Bihar & Orissa[edit | edit source]

Bombay[edit | edit source]

Burma[edit | edit source]

  • General: Maung Mye (1915), Maing Ba Tu (1911–1920)

Central Provinces[edit | edit source]

East Bengal & Assam[edit | edit source]

  • General: Kamini Kumar Chanda (1920)[15]
  • Landholders: Pramathanath Roy, Raja of Dighapatia (1911–1915)

Madras[edit | edit source]

Punjab[edit | edit source]

United Provinces[edit | edit source]

1920 to 1947[edit | edit source]

Main articles: Central Legislative Assembly and Council of State (India)

Under the Government of India Act 1919, the Imperial Legislative Council was converted into a bicameral legislature with the Imperial Legislative Assembly (also known as the Central Legislative Assembly) as the lower house of a bicameral legislature and the Council of State as the upper house, reviewing legislation passed by the Assembly. The Governor-General nonetheless retained significant power over legislation. He could authorise the expenditure of money without the Legislature's consent for "ecclesiastical, political [and] defence" purposes, and for any purpose during "emergencies". He was permitted to veto, or even stop debate on, any bill. If he recommended the passage of a bill, but only one chamber co-operated, he could declare the bill passed over the objections of the other chamber. The legislature had no authority over foreign affairs and defence. The President of the Council of State was appointed by the Governor-General; the Central Legislative Assembly elected its own President, apart from the first, but the election required the Governor-General's approval.

Under the Indian Independence Act 1947, the Imperial Legislative Council and its houses were dissolved on 14 August 1947 and was replaced by the Constituent Assembly of India and the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Banerjee, Anil Chandra (1984). English Law in India. p. 143. ISBN 9788170171836.
  2. ↑ Chandra, Bipan (9 August 2016). India's Struggle for Independence. ISBN 9788184751833.
  3. ↑ Buckland, Charles (1999). Dictionary of Indian Biography. ISBN 9788170208976.
  4. ↑ Bhattacharya, Sabyasachi (2005). The Financial Foundations of the British Raj. p. 57. ISBN 9788125029038.
  5. ↑ Kashyap, Subhash (1994). History of the Parliament of India. ISBN 9788185402345.
  6. ↑ "Maharashtra State Gazetteers – Greater Bombay District". Cultural.maharashtra.gov.in. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  7. ↑ Abdul, Latif Sayyid (30 November 1924). Addresses Poems and Other Writings. The Government Central Press.
  8. ↑ Mukherji, P. (1915). Indian constitutional documents, 1773–1915. Calcutta, Spink.
  9. ↑ "Surendranath Banerji, freedom fighter, India".
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 "Login". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  11. ↑ Wikisource:Page:The Indian Biographical Dictionary.djvu/239
  12. ↑ Wikisource:Page:The Indian Biographical Dictionary.djvu/375
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Rao, C. Hayavando (1915). The Indian Biographical Dictionary. Madras: Pillar & Co. p. 606.
  14. ↑ Brown, Judith M. (26 September 1974). Gandhi's Rise to Power: Indian Politics 1915–1922. p. 162. ISBN 9780521098731.
  15. ↑ Bakshi, S. R. Punjab Through the Ages. p. 22.
  16. ↑ Griffin, Lepel H. (1910). Chiefs and families of note in the Punjab. Vol. 2. Lahore: Government Printing. p. 397.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Login".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

External links[edit | edit source]

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