THE COMPANY RULE (1773-1858) REGULATING ACT 1773

INDIAN CONSTITUTION 

THE COMPANY RULE (1773-1858) REGULATING ACT 1773

The 1773 Act is particularly important in Indian’s constitutional History because it was the beginning of the efforts by the British Parliamentary control over the company administration in India.

It was designated the Government of Bengal as a Governor. 

General of British Territories of India who has the authority over the presidencies of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta. The first such Governor-General was Lord Warren Hastings.

A Supreme court was formed in Calcutta (1774). It prohibited the servants of the company to engage in any private trade of accepting bride.

 

PITT’S INDIA ACT OF 1784

The Pitt’s India Act, 1784 also called the East India Company Act, 1784 was passed by the British Parliament to correct the defects of the Regulating Act of 1773.

This Act resulted in dual control of British possessions in India by the British government and the company with the final authority resting with the government.

The Act is named after William Pitt the younger, Britain’s prime minister when the act was passed.

Features of the Act:

·         This act made a distimction between the commercial and political activities of the East India company.

·         For the first time, the term British possessions in India was used.

·         This Act gave the British government direct control over India administration.

·         The company became subordinate to the British government unlike as in the previous regulating Act of the company .