Regulating Act of 1773
The Regulating Act of 1773 was a significant legislation passed by the British Parliament to regulate the East India Company’s administration in India. The act included the following key provisions:
- Governor-General of Bengal: The act designated the Governor of Bengal as the 'Governor-General of Bengal' and established an Executive Council of four members to assist him. Lord Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal.
- Subordination of Bombay and Madras: The Governors of the Bombay and Madras presidencies were made subordinate to the Governor-General of Bengal, unlike before when they were independent.
- Establishment of the Supreme Court: A Supreme Court was established in Calcutta (1774) with one chief justice and three other judges.
- Restrictions on Company Servants: The act prohibited East India Company servants from engaging in private trade or accepting presents or bribes from locals.
- Increased Control by British Government: The act required the Court of Directors (the governing body of the company) to report on its revenue, civil, and military affairs in India, increasing British government oversight.
Amending Act of 1781
The Amending Act of 1781, also known as the Act of Settlement, aimed to rectify the conflicts that arose from the Regulating Act of 1773. Its key provisions include:
- Jurisdiction Exemption: It exempted the Governor-General and the Council from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for official acts, and similarly exempted the Company’s servants from the court's jurisdiction for their official actions.
- Exclusion of Revenue Matters: The act excluded revenue and collection-related matters from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
- Jurisdiction Over Calcutta Residents: The Supreme Court was given jurisdiction over all residents of Calcutta and required to administer the personal law of the defendants, i.e., Hindu law for Hindus and Muslim law for Muslims.
- Appeals Process: Appeals from the Provincial Courts were to be taken to the Governor-General-in-Council rather than the Supreme Court.
- Regulation Framing Power: The act empowered the Governor-General-in-Council to frame regulations for the Provincial Courts and Councils.
Pitt's India Act of 1784
The key features of this Act were:
- Separation of Functions: It differentiated between the commercial and political functions of the East India Company.
- Double Government: The Court of Directors continued to manage commercial affairs, while a new body, the Board of Control, was created to manage political affairs.
- Board of Control's Powers: The Board of Control was given the authority to supervise and direct all operations of the civil, military, and revenue affairs of the British possessions in India.
Act of 1786
In 1786, Lord Cornwallis was appointed as the Governor-General of Bengal under specific conditions:
- Decision-Making Power: He was granted the authority to override the decisions of his council in special cases.
- Commander-in-Chief Role: He was also made the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in India.
The Act of 1786 was enacted to formalize these provisions for Lord Cornwallis's appointment.
Charter Act
