PITT'S INDIA ACT 1784 - learncrisp.com

PITT’S INDIA ACT 1784

Table of Contents

About Pitt’s India Act

Made EIC (East India Company) a subordinate department of State
Called East India Company Act 1784
William Pitt was the then British PM
Established a joint government of British India by Company and Crown
It made distinction between commercial & political activities of EIC
Crown got direct control of Indian administration
Crown was to have authority over Civil & Military affairs
EIC however retained it’s authority over Commercial affairs

Why Passed

To rectify Regulating Act of 1773

Imp Points

First Time
- EIC territories were called as : ‘British Possessions in India’
- Crown got Supreme Control –> EIC Affairs & Administration in India
Features
1. Established system of -> Double Government
  - EIC Court of Directors : Commercial Affairs of EIC
  - EIC Board of Control : Political Affairs ( Civil + Military) of EIC
2. Board of Control (BOC)
  - Task : Look after Civil +Military affairs of EIC
  - Composition : 6 members
    - Secretary of State (Board President)
    - Chancellor of Exchequer
    - 4 Privy Councilors
  - Hence from now on, Court of Directors(COD) represented EIC & BOC represented British government
3. All civil and military officers were to disclose their properties in India
4. The term “British Possessions” – was used for the first time for EIC territories
5. Governor General
  - was given Right to Veto
  - was given greater powers with respect to War, Revenue and Diplomacy
6. Governing Council of EIC
  - Was reduced to 3 members
  - Included one Commander-in-Chief : Crown’s Army in India
7. Governors of Bombay & Madras – were deprived of their independence

Drawbacks

Governor-General now had to serve two masters – EIC & Crown
No clear boundaries between responsibilities of BOC & COD

Sumit Teotia

Sumit is Creator and Author at learncrisp.com. He started this learning platform with a mission to emerge as an aspirants resource hub, especially for those preparing in self study mode. He loves writing and his interests are History, Security and Diplomacy.