INSTRUMENTS OF CONTROL: Regulating Act 1784
Establishment
of British Parliamentary Control:
From the
very beginning the British Government was reaping benefits from the Indian
empire built up by the East India Company. But the development after the battle
of Palashi revealed that corruption was rampant amongst the servants of the
Company. Besides, there was problem regarding the administration of the British
possession in India. The chaotic situation brought about by the misgovernance
of the Company roused the public opinion in England. Even the members of the
British Parliament did not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction about the
matter. In such a situation the British Government also became seriously
concerned about the affairs of the Company. It was felt that the British
Government could not remain mere a spectator to the existing abuses. In this
context the British government decided to control the basic policies of the
Company's administration. The result was the enactment of a Parliamentary Acts.
Pitt's
India Act (1784):
The
defects of the Regulating Act necessitated the passing of another important act
called Pitt's India Act in 1784. The Act came to be known as Pitt's India Act
after William Pitt the Younger who was the Prime Minister of England at that
time.
Salient
Features of the Pitt's India Act:
1.The
Regulating Act as a measure of reform had clearly failed. Thus Pitt's India Act
was a corrective measure. Pitt's India Act increased the control of the British
Government on the activities of the East India Company in India. The Board of
Control set up by the Act was the instrument of control.
2.The
principles laid down by the Act formed the base of the British administration
in India. Henceforth the Governor-General of Bengal emerged as the virtual
ruler of India functioning under the supervision of the British Government in
London.
3.The
Act set up a Board of Control in London. Through the Board the British
Government could fully control the Company's affairs in India. The Board of
Directors also supervised the Company's affairs in India. Thus a dual control
was established on the Company's activities — the British Government and the
Board of Directors. The arrangement continued till 1858.
Weaknesses
of the Pitt's India Act:
Though
Pitt's India Act was passed as a corrective measure yet the Act was not free
from defects.
1. The
Act imposed dual control over the Governor-General. The Board of Control on
behalf of the British Government and Board of Directors of the East India
Company were the two masters under which the Governor-General would have to
work.
2. The
Act by setting up two masters in a way allowed the Governor-General to have a
free hand in the administration. For, he could easily play his two masters one
against the other and act at his own discretion.
3. With
the promulgation of the Act began a new phase of British conquest of India. The
East India Company became an instrument of British national policy, and India
was made to serve the interests of all sections of the ruling classes of
England.
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1. Multiple Choice Questions.
(i) Which
among the following was introduced by the British Prime Minister?
(a) Regulating Act
1773 (b)
Regulating Act 1784
(c) Charter Act 1833 (d) Charter
Act 1813
(ii) The Regulating Act passed by the British in the
year
(a) 1779 (b)
1780 (c) 1782 (d) 1784
(iii) Which
Act is also known as the Pitts India Act?
(b) (a) Regulating
Act 1773 (b) Regulating Act 1784
(c) Pits India Act (d) Charter
Act 1813