First Secretary of State of India: Lord Stanley

Lord Stanley, later known as Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby (1826–1893), was the first Secretary of State for India, appointed in 1858 following the transfer of power from the British East India Company to the British Crown. His appointment marked the beginning of direct British rule in India under the authority of the British Parliament, a system that continued until India’s independence in 1947.

Historical Background

The Revolt of 1857 and Its Aftermath

The Revolt of 1857—also known as the First War of Indian Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny—had a profound impact on British colonial policy. The rebellion exposed the limitations of the East India Company’s administration and highlighted widespread discontent among Indian soldiers, rulers, and civilians.
In response, the British government decided to abolish the Company’s political control and bring India under direct Crown administration. This decision was implemented through the Government of India Act of 1858, which reorganised the system of governance in India.

The Government of India Act, 1858

The Act was passed by the British Parliament on 2 August 1858, formally transferring the governance of India from the East India Company to the British Crown.
Key Provisions of the Act:

1. The office of the Board of Control and the Court of Directors of the East India Company was abolished.
2. The Secretary of State for India was created as a Cabinet-level position in the British Government.
3. The Secretary of State was assisted by a Council of India, consisting of fifteen members, many of whom were former Company officials.
4. The Governor-General of India was redesignated as the Viceroy of India, serving as the Crown’s representative.
5. The British Parliament gained direct authority to legislate for India.

Thus, the Act centralised administrative power in London, with the Secretary of State for India becoming the ultimate authority in Indian affairs, answerable to Parliament.

Lord Stanley’s Appointment and Role

When the office of Secretary of State for India was created in 1858, Lord Stanley—a distinguished Conservative politician and experienced administrator—was appointed as its first holder.

• Full Name: Edward Henry Stanley
• Titles: 15th Earl of Derby, Viscount Stanley (until 1869)
• Tenure as Secretary of State for India: 1858–1859
• Government: Conservative Ministry of Lord Derby (his father)

Responsibilities of the Office

As Secretary of State for India, Lord Stanley’s powers were extensive and encompassed all aspects of governance, diplomacy, and finance relating to India. He exercised control over:

• Appointments and correspondence between the British Crown and the Government of India.
• Indian revenues and expenditure, which were subject to parliamentary oversight.
• Military and civil administration in consultation with the Council of India.
• Policy direction for the Viceroy and provincial governments in India.

The Secretary of State functioned as the chief policymaker for Indian affairs in the British Government, a role that combined legislative, executive, and financial authority.

Lord Stanley’s Administration and Reforms

Although Lord Stanley’s tenure lasted barely a year, his period in office was of foundational importance in shaping the British Raj’s administrative structure.
1. Administrative Transition: He supervised the complex process of transferring power from the East India Company to the Crown. This included reorganisation of records, departments, and official correspondence between India and Britain.
2. Coordination with the Viceroy: He worked closely with Lord Canning, the first Viceroy of India (1858–1862), to ensure a smooth administrative transition. The two collaborated on early Crown policies, including measures of clemency and reconciliation after the 1857 rebellion.
3. The Queen’s Proclamation (1858): One of the most significant actions taken under Lord Stanley’s supervision was the drafting and issuance of the Queen’s Proclamation of 1858, which announced the formal assumption of power by Queen Victoria.
The Proclamation declared:

• Equal treatment of Indians under the law.
• Non-interference in religious affairs.
• Inclusion of Indians in administrative service “as far as may be suitable.”
• A commitment to justice, humanity, and prosperity.

The Proclamation, read publicly in India on 1 November 1858, marked the symbolic beginning of the British Raj and helped pacify many Indian subjects after the rebellion.
4. Early Administrative Reforms: Lord Stanley initiated measures to reorganise the Indian Civil Service (ICS) and improve communication between London and Calcutta. He also worked to stabilise India’s financial system, strained by the costs of suppressing the revolt.

Later Career

After serving as the first Secretary of State for India, Lord Stanley continued his distinguished political career in various high offices:

• Foreign Secretary (1866–1868) in his father’s Conservative government.
• Leader of the House of Lords (from 1869) after inheriting the title of Earl of Derby.
• Foreign Secretary (1874–1878) under Benjamin Disraeli, where he pursued cautious diplomacy and avoided conflicts with European powers.

He was regarded as a statesman of moderation and pragmatism, known for his intellectual clarity and administrative skill.

Legacy and Historical Significance

1. Founder of the India Office System: Lord Stanley laid the institutional and procedural foundations for the India Office, which governed Indian affairs from London until 1947. His administrative framework remained largely intact for nearly nine decades.
2. Establishment of Parliamentary Accountability: He institutionalised the principle that India’s governance was subject to the authority of the British Parliament, marking a major shift from Company rule to constitutional oversight.
3. Symbol of Transition: As the first Secretary of State for India, Lord Stanley symbolised the transition from a mercantile-colonial model to a bureaucratic-imperial administration under the Crown.
4. Early Policy of Conciliation: His collaboration with Lord Canning in framing a conciliatory policy toward Indians after 1857 set the tone for the early years of the British Raj, which focused on stability and reconstruction rather than aggression.