Which of the following Acts ended the British East India Company's rule in India and placed India under the Crown of England?

The correct answer is the Government of India Act of 1858.

• Government of India Act of 1858 ended the British East India Company's rule in India and placed India under the Crown of England.

Key Points

• Government of India Act of 1858:
  • East India Company's rule came to an end and the Indian Administration came under the direct control of the Crown.
  • In England, the Court of Directors and Board of Control were abolished.
    • In their place came the Secretary of State for India and the India council was established.
    • The Secretary of State would be a member of the British cabinet.
    • The first Secretary of State for India was Lord Stanley (Edward Henry Stanley).
    • India Council consisting of 15 members would assist him.
  • The Governor-General of India was also made the Viceroy of India.
    • The 1st Viceroy of India was Lord Canning.
  • All the previous treaties were accepted and honoured by the Act.

Additional Information

• The Indian Councils Act, 1861​ marked an advance in that the principle of representatives of non-officials in legislative bodies became accepted; laws were to be made after due deliberation, and as pieces of legislation they could be changed only by the same deliberative process.
• The Regulating Act, 1773 was the first parliamentary ratification and authorization defining the power and authority of east India company with respect to its Indian possessions.
• Charter Act of 1853 introduced an open system of selection and recruitment of civil servants.