Council of India

The Council of India was the name given at different times to two separate bodies associated with British rule in India.

The original Council of India was established by the Charter Act of 1833 as a council of four formal advisors to the Governor-General at Fort William. The Governor-General in Council was subordinate only to the East India Company's Court of Directors and to the Board of Control.

In 1858 the company's involvement in India's government was transferred by the Government of India Act 1858 to the British government. The act created a new governmental department in London (the India Office), headed by the cabinet-ranking Secretary of State for India, who was in turn to be advised by a new Council of India (also based in London).

But this new council of India, which assisted the Secretary of State for India contained 15 members while the erstwhile council of India contained four members only and was referred to as Council of Four. After the establishment of the Council of 15, the Council of Four was formally renamed by section 7 of the act as the Council of the Governor General of India. Sometimes it was also called the Executive Council of India, later formally becoming the Viceroy's Executive Council.