Work / monument · text

Indian Councils Act 1861

1861 · 19th century

The Indian Councils Act 1861 was a British law that reorganised the government of British India after the rebellion of 1857. It added non-official members, including some Indians, to the Viceroy's council for legislative business, restored law-making powers to the presidencies of Bombay and Madras, and gave legal basis to the portfolio system in the executive council. It was the first step towards associating Indians with legislation.

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Indian Councils Act 1861. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/indian-councils-act-1861
MLA
“Indian Councils Act 1861.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/indian-councils-act-1861. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Indian Councils Act 1861.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/indian-councils-act-1861.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Indian Councils Act 1861’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/indian-councils-act-1861 (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻