The Regulating Act, 1773
- The Regulating Act, 1773 was the first attempted by British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the Company in India. this act also brought an end to Dual system of Government of India.
- This was the first attempt towards Centralised Administration.
- In this act, Governor of Bengal became Governor General for all British territories in India.
- Bombay and Madras Presidency subordinated to Bengal Presidency in certain matters.
- Supreme Court to be set up at Calcutta and also founded Calcutta Madarasa.
The Pitts India Act, 1784
- The Pitts India Act, 1784 (The East India Company Act 1784) gave the British Government supreme control over the Company’s affairs and its administration in India.
- It established dual system of governance:
- Government by Board of Control
- Government of Court of Directors.
- The Board of Control was to guide and control the work of the Court of Directors.
- Presidencies of Madras and Bombay were subordinated to the Governor-General and Council of Bengal in all matters of diplomacy
The Charter Act of 1813
- The Charter Act 1813 is also known as The East India Company Act 1813.
- The East Indian Company was deprived of its monopoly of trade with India except in tea and trade in China.
- Under this act, a sum of one lakh rupees earn marked annually for education and this amount paid by the company.
The Charter Act of 1833
- The Charter Act of 1833 brought an end to the East Indian Company’s trade monopoly even in tea and trade with China.
- The Act centralised the administration of India.
- The Governor-General of Bengal became the Governor-General of India (1st Governor-General was Lord William Bentick).
- Government of Madras and Bombay deprived of legislative powers.
- A fourth member, law member, added to Council of Governor-General.
The Charter Act of 1853
- The Charter Act of 1853 extended life of the East Indian Company for an unspecified period.
- Law member was made a full member of the Executive Council of the Governor-General.
- Recruitment to Civil Services was based on open annual competitive examination (excluding Indians).
The Government of India Act, 1858
- Indian Administration transferred from Company to British crown i.e. end of rule of East India Company and beginning of direct rule of Crown.
- In this act, the Court of Directors and Board of Control abolished. Thus the ‘Double Government’ introduced by the Pitt’s India Act of 1784 was finally ended. The doctrine of lapse was also withdrawn under this act.
- The post of Secretary of state for India was created (who was the member of the British cabinet and a direct representative of the Parliament).
- Governor-General was to be called the ‘Viceroy’ and was the direct representative of the crown in India.
- A unitary and highly centralized administrative structure was created.
