Introduction
East India Company, English company formed for the exploitation of trade with East and South Asia and India, incorporated by royal charter on December 31, 1600. Starting as a monopolistic trading body, East India Company became involved in politics and acted as an agent of British imperialism in India from the early 18th century to mid-19th century.
The East India Company played a significant role in Indian history, and several important acts were passed during its rule. The Regulating Act (1773) and William Pitt Act (1784) established government control of political policy through a regulatory board responsible to Parliament.
Important Act of East India Company
Regulating act of 1773
Introduction
First act passed by the British parliament to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India, mainly in Bengal. This Act passed due to the misgovernment by the British East India government that introduced a situation of bankruptcy and the government had to interfere with the affairs of the company.
- The East India Company was in severe financial crisis and had asked a loan of a1 million pounds from the British government in 1772.
- Allegations of corruption against company officials
- Dual form of administration was complex and drawing a lot of complaints.
- Lawlessness increased in Bengal.
Provision of the Regulating Act
The main Provision of Act is following
- The Act provided for the appointment of the Governor of Bengal along with four councilors in the presidency of Fort William.
- Warren Hastings was the first Governor General of the Presidency of Fort William.
- The Company directors were elected for a period of 5 years.
- Supreme Court was set up in Calcutta in 1774 with a chief justice and 3 judges. It had civil and criminal jurisdiction over the British subjects and not Indian natives.
Drawbacks
The Major drawbacks of the Regulating Act of 1773 are given below.
- The Governor General had no veto power.
- This Act failed to stop corruption among the company officials.
- The Supreme Court’s powers were not well –defined.
Pitts India Act of 1784
Introduction
The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 established a dual system of control over British India, dividing authority between the British government and the East India Company. This Act was passed by the British Parliament to correct the defects of the Regulating Act of 1784. The act’s purpose was to address the shortcomings of the Regulating Act 1773 and bring the East India Company’s rule in the India under closer control of the British government.
Pitt’s India Act Provisions.
- This Act gave the British government control over the East India Company, making it a subordinate to the state. The Company’s territories in India were “British Possession in India”.
- The Act created a six-member Board of control to regulate Indian affairs and the company, which included the secretary of state, the chancellor of exchequer, and four other members, are appointed by the British crown.
- This Act separated the East India Company’s commercial and political roles, form dual government system. The company kept its commercial activities, while the British government, through board of control, manages its political and administrative activities.
- Court of directors handled business and Board of control handled politics
- The Governor-General‘s council was reduced to 3 members. It included the commander-in-chief in the council.
- Council was also set up in Bombay and Madras.
Drawbacks
Following are the Drawbacks of Pitts India Act 1784.
- The dual control system introduced by the created a complex governance structure.
- Due to reduction in executive council member gave the strengthened power of governor-General.
- Due to absence of clear guidelines and responsibilities created administrative difficulties.
- The Act prioritized the British interests over the welfare and aspirations of the Indian population so there was neglect of Indian interests.
Charter Act of 1813
Introduction
The charter Act 1813, passed by the British Parliament, to renewed the British East India Company’s charter for another 20 years. It also introduced important reforms to address the shifting dynamics of British government in India. This Act was significant legislative act passed by the British Parliament.
Provision of Charter Act 1813
- The Charter Act 1813 abolished the East India Company’s monopoly on Indian trade, except for the tea trade and Chinese trade. This provision enabled other British merchants to trade freely in India.
- The Act Extended the Company’s Charter for another 20 years, but with increased regulatory control from the British Crown.
- For the first time, the British territories’s Constitutional position in India was clearly defined.
- Separate accounts and Expanded Supervision.
- The company was also to take a greater role in the education of the Indians under them.
Charter Act of 1833
Introduction
The Charter Act of 1833 was passed in the British parliament which renewed the East India Company’s charter for another 20 years. This was also called the Government of India Act 1833.
Provision of Charter Act of 1833
- The Governor-General of Bengal was redesigned as the Governor General of Bengal the Governor General of India.
- Lord William Bentinck was the first to hold this title.
- Thus the country’s administration was unified under one control. Ended the company’s trading role ;it became only an administrative body.
- The Governor General full control over law, tax, and administration.
- The civil and military affairs of the company were controlled by the governor-general in council.
- This Act was the final step to centralize power in India, which started in 1773.
- The Governor- General’s Council was having four members.
Charter Act of 1853
Introduction
The Charter Act of 1853 was a British parliament act that renewed the East India Company’s charter. However, it did not specify the period of renewal. It was the final Charter Act in the series that governed the affairs of the East India’s Company. This Act played a significant role in shaping British India’s governance, introducing several administrative reforms that laid the bases for the future structure.
Provision of Charter Act 1853
- The Charter Act of 1853 introduced an open competition system for selecting and recruiting civil servants.
- This Act formally separated the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General’s Council.
- The Charter Act 1853 created a separate Governor-general’s legislative council, which became known as the Indian Legislative Council. Added 6 new members to the legislative council.
- Expansion of Legislative Council became the central Legislative council and worked like a Mini- parliament.
- The Charter introduced local representation in Indian Legislative Council for the first time.
- The concept of establishing different presidencies originated with the Charter Act of 1853.
- The Charter Act of 1853 established a separate governor for the Bengal Presidency.
For Latest Article notification join our WhatsApp channel
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb5y4EqInlqKkZGCI630