INDIAN COUNCIL ACT OF 1861. It made a beginning of Representative institutions by assosiating Indian with law - making Process. Viceroy Canning nominated three Indians to the legislative council - The Raja of Benaras, Maharaja of Patiala and Sir Dinkar rao. It initiated the process of Decentralisation by restoring the legislative Powers to the Bombay and Madras presidency. It also provided for the establishment of new legislative councils for Bengal, NWFP and Punjab. It also gave a recognition to the Portfolio system, introduced by Canning. 26.2K viewsedited 16:49
