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Regulation Act 1773:
- Governor of Calcutta became Governor General of Calcutta (Governor General of Fort William) and he became superior of Madras & Bombay provinces.
- Provision for establishment of Supreme Court in Calcutta and it was established in 1774 and first Chief Justice of India was “Sir Elijah Impey”.
- Executive Council (4 members) to assist Governor General (before this court of Directors were elected & Managed company affairs in England).
- Governor has vested with casting vote.
- Tenure of members of Court of Directors extended from 1 to 4 year.
- Governor General and his council became Supreme in the matter of peace & war.
- It prevents receiving gift in any forms by Governor General, Chief Justice and Servants of the Company.
Merits of the Act
- Brought affair of the company under parliament of British.
- Proved the Parliament concerned about welfare of people of India.
- Put an end to arbitrary rule of company.
- Providing frame work for governing India.
Demerit:
- Not clearly define the Jurisdiction of Supreme Court, Governor General & Executive Council’s member. It always make problem and Governors of Madras & Bombay not obeyed (Literally this act weaken Governor General) because Executive Council is Supreme.
- So Act of Settlement 1781 and Pitt’s India Act 1784 was introduced to remove the defects in Regulation Act 1773.
Pitt’s India Act – 1784
This act was introduced by William Pitt the Younger, the Prime Minister of England.
Provisions:
- The Governor General to be appointed by Crown.
- Governor General Council’s member reduced to 3 from 4
- The Board of Control (6 members appointed by crown) created to control political affairs of the company.
- The Court of Directors retained no alteration (to control commercial affairs of the company)
- Governor General made into commander in chief of British troops and total control over Bombay & Madras.