The Council of India, 1858-1919

This thesis deals with the constitutional development and the working of the Council of India from 1858 to 1919. The first chapter deals with the formation of the Council and its development until 1869, giving a picture of the cordial relation then existing with the Secretaries of state. The second sketches the development of the Council to 1895 showing how influential it was in helping to shape the policies of the Government of India in Calcutta and London. The third chapter is concerned with the gradual decline in influence of the Council down to the passing of the Act of 1919. The following three chapters describe in some detail various aspects of the policy of the Council. 'The problems of Civil Service Policy' deals with the Indianisation of the Civil Service and the active part played in this by the Council. The next considers the activities of the Council in the development of the economic policy of the Government with special reference to land revenue, cotton duties and the relations of the Government with the Presidency Banks. The last chapter deals with the members of the Council and emphasizes their ability and variety of experience. As a supplement to this chapter there is an appendix in the thesis containing the records of service of the 95 members of the Council. There is also a list giving the periods of service of the members.