What was the Nature of British rule in India between 1858 and 1914.?
After 1858, India became officially a British colony as British crown took control of India from East India Company. The British crown put a Secretary of State for India in change of India. Indian Council who had only advisory powers aided him. India was divided into three administrative zones (Bengal, Madras and Bombay). A number of administrative and legal changes were introduced. In1861 Indian Councils Act, High Courts Act and Penal code were passed. British continued to expand the railways and telegraphic network and in 1868 new Ambala – Delhi railway line was started. A combination of administrative failures and natural factors resulted in large number of famines in India that killed millions of people – 1861 Famine in North West 1866 Famine in Bengal and Orissa – 1 million perished 1869 Intense famine in Rajasthan – 1.5 million perished 1874 Famine in Bihar 1876–78 Famine in Bombay, Madras and Mysore – 5 million perished. During this time, India was forced to produce cash crop, w
