THE CONSTITUTION AND POWERS OF
THE GOVE" """2NT OF INDIA.

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CHAPTER I.

THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION.

Characteristics of the British Constitution and
Parliamentary Sovereionty.

The entire Indian Peninsula, as well as some
other extensive and adjacent territories, are subject
to the supreme sovereignty of the British Crown.
Considerable portions of these territories are, it is
true, held by Native Chiefs, who are termed
sovereign and independent, but who are, neces
sarily, under the protection and general control of
the British Government. The external political
relations of the protected states of India are entirely
regulated by the supreme sovereign power ; while
their internal affairs are left to the ruling Chiefs,
subject to the liability to interference in the event
of gross oppression or misgovernment. Thus the
supreme political authority of Great Britain is the
supreme political authority of India; and the