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Pitt’s India Act of 1784 – Polity UPSC Notes

Background: Failure of the Regulating Act of 1773: The Regulating Act of 1773 did not effectively address the issues of corruption, mismanagement
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UPSC Notes: Pitt’s India Act of 1784

Background:

  1. Failure of the Regulating Act of 1773: The Regulating Act of 1773 did not effectively address the issues of corruption, mismanagement, and lack of control over the East India Company (EIC).
  2. Political Pressure in Britain: The British Parliament was increasingly concerned about the EIC's monopoly and its mismanagement of Indian territories.
  3. Need for Stronger Control: The British government sought to establish greater parliamentary control over the EIC's affairs in India.
  4. Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger: The Act was introduced by Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger to address the shortcomings of the Regulating Act.

Provisions of Pitt’s India Act 1784:

  1. Dual Control System:
    • The Act established a Board of Control in Britain to oversee the EIC's political and administrative functions.
    • The EIC's Court of Directors retained control over commercial activities.
  2. Governor-General’s Authority:
    • The Governor-General of Bengal was given greater powers over the presidencies of Madras and Bombay.
    • The Governor-General's council was reduced from four members to three.
  3. Subordination of Presidencies:
    • The presidencies of Madras and Bombay were made subordinate to the Governor-General of Bengal in matters of war, revenue, and diplomacy.
  4. Parliamentary Oversight:
    • The British government gained significant control over the EIC's governance in India.
    • The Act required the EIC to submit regular reports to the British Parliament.
  5.  Company‘s territory was called British Possessions. 
  6.   This Board of Control's members are: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Secretary of State, and Four Privy Councilors are among the six officials appointed by the King 
  7.  The Secretary of State was appointed as the Board of Control's President.  
  8. The Governor-General was granted veto power.  
  9. GG of Bengal cannot declare war without permission

Significance:

  1. Establishment of Dual Control:
    • The Board of Control (representing the British government) and the Court of Directors (representing the EIC) jointly managed Indian affairs.
  2. Centralization of Authority:
    • The Governor-General of Bengal became the supreme authority in British India.
  3. Parliamentary Supremacy:
    • The Act marked the beginning of direct parliamentary control over Indian administration.
  4. Foundation for Future Reforms:
    • It laid the groundwork for subsequent administrative reforms in British India.

Drawbacks:

  1. Complex Dual Control System:
    • The division of authority between the Board of Control and the Court of Directors often led to conflicts and inefficiencies.
  2. Lack of Indian Representation:
    • Indians had no role in the administration or decision-making processes.
  3. Commercial Interests Over Welfare:
    • The EIC's primary focus remained on profit-making, often at the expense of Indian welfare.
  4. Limited Accountability:
    • The Act did not fully address issues of corruption and mismanagement within the EIC.

UPSC Prelims MCQs on Pitt’s India Act 1784

  1. What was the main objective of Pitt’s India Act of 1784?
    a) To grant independence to India
    b) To establish parliamentary control over the East India Company
    c) To promote free trade in India
    d) To abolish the East India Company
    Answer: b) To establish parliamentary control over the East India Company

  2. Which of the following bodies was created under Pitt’s India Act of 1784?
    a) Supreme Court of Calcutta
    b) Board of Control
    c) Council of India
    d) Indian Civil Service
    Answer: b) Board of Control

  3. How many members were retained in the Governor-General’s council under Pitt’s India Act?
    a) 2
    b) 3
    c) 4
    d) 5
    Answer: b) 3

  4. Which of the following was a drawback of Pitt’s India Act of 1784?
    a) It abolished the dual control system
    b) It gave Indians representation in the administration
    c) It created conflicts between the Board of Control and the Court of Directors
    d) It focused solely on Indian welfare
    Answer: c) It created conflicts between the Board of Control and the Court of Directors

  5. Who introduced Pitt’s India Act of 1784?
    a) Lord Cornwallis
    b) Warren Hastings
    c) William Pitt the Younger
    d) Robert Clive
    Answer: c) William Pitt the Younger


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