UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 23
Consider the following statements about 'the Charter Act of 1813' :
- It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
- It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
- The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The Charter Act of 1813 ended most East India Company Indian trade monopoly while keeping tea and China trade exceptions, and affirmed Crown sovereignty over Company territories. It did not directly transfer Indian revenues to Parliamentary management.
Statement / Pair Analysis:
1 (Correct): Company trade monopoly ended except tea trade and commerce with China.
2 (Correct): The Act reaffirmed British Crown sovereignty over Indian territories under Company control.
3 (Incorrect): Company territorial revenues did not come directly under British Parliament’s financial control as asserted.
Option-wise Analysis:
A (Correct): Includes all and only the true statements/pairs.
B (Incorrect): It includes false item 3 (Company territorial revenues did not come directly under British Parliament’s financial control as…); omits true item 1 (Company trade monopoly ended except tea trade and commerce with China).
C (Incorrect): It includes false item 3 (Company territorial revenues did not come directly under British Parliament’s financial control as…); omits true item 2 (The Act reaffirmed British Crown sovereignty over Indian territories under Company control).
D (Incorrect): It includes false item 3 (Company territorial revenues did not come directly under British Parliament’s financial control as…).