UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies
Question 126: History and Culture
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Charter Act 1853 abolished East India Company’s monopoly of Indian trade.
- 2.Under the Government of India Act, 1858, the British Parliament abolished the East India Company altogether and undertook the responsibility of ruling India directly.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Charter Act of 1813 ended the East India Company's trade monopoly in India (except tea and the China trade), and the Charter Act of 1833 ended its commercial functions altogether. The Act of 1853 did neither, so statement 1 is false. The Government of India Act 1858 abolished the Company, transferring rule to the Crown, so statement 2 is correct.
- 1. The trade monopoly ended in 1813 and the commercial role in 1833, not 1853.
- 2. The 1858 Act transferred rule from the Company to the Crown.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The trade monopoly ended in 1813 and the commercial role in 1833, not 1853.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: The 1858 Act transferred rule from the Company to the Crown.
Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statement 1 is wrong: the monopoly ended in 1813 and 1833.
- (b) Correct: only statement 2 holds.
- (c) Statement 1 is false.
- (d) Statement 2 is true.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.