Constitutional Development in India from 1773 to 1935

Pitt’s India Act of 1784

Contents

Introduction

Main Features

1) Under Control of the British Government-

2)  Establishment of Board of Control

3)  Dual Government

4)  G.G appointed  by a Crown

5) Governing Councils-

6) Distinction between the commercial and political matters

7)  Secret Committee

8) Act centralized British rule-

I.                  Introduction

The British Parliament was passed India Act 1784 also known as Pitt’s Act and
reason for passed  the Pitt’s Act to rectify and clear the defects of the
Regulating Act 1773 and further the British Parliament  passed the amending
act of 1781 and also known as the Act of settlement 1781.The term ‘British
possessions in India’ was first time used.

II) Main Features 

1. Under Control of the British Government-

 The administrative affairs of East India Company in India under the direct
control of    the British Government.

2. Establishment of Board of Control-

Establishment of Board of Control was established with six members, two from
the   British Cabinet and Four from the Privy Council. The President of Board
became the  minister for the affairs of the East India Company. Board of
Control to superintend, direct and control the government of the Company’s
possessions handle the matter relating to the civil, military and revenues of the
Company.

3.Dual Government-

 Pitt’s Act provided for a Dual government of British India by both the

Company and   the Crown.    

4. The governor-

General appointed by a crown and The governor-general  use veto power at the

time of majority decisions.

5.Governing Councils-

Governing Councilswere established at Madras and Bombay presidencies. The 

governors of Madras and Bombay were subordinated to the Governor General.

6.Distinction between the commercial and political matters-

 Between the commercial and political matters of the East India

Company. Whereas   Political matters handle by Board of Control
and  commercial  matters handle by the   Court of Directors.

7.Secret committee-

Role of Secret committee handled political matters reserved to a secret

committee of   three directors and  report to the British government; this
system  used  till the period  of 1858.

8. The Act Centralized British-

 The Act Centralized British rule and increasing the power of Governor

General Lord Charles Cornwallis.   

III. Conclusion–

 Key notes:-

British Parliament-
British Parliament is bicameral legislation and consist of the Sovereign i.e. the
Queen-in-Parliament, the House of Lords(Upper House), and the House of
Commons (Lower House).  

William Pitt the Younger- He belong from a Tory party. He became the
youngest P.M of Great Britain at the age of 24 in 19th December 1783 to
1st January 1801 and the time of George-III and again he became P.M
from 10th May 1804  to 23 January 1806. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer.
He was died in 1806.

Tory Party was the period between 1678 and 1834. Tory members belongs from
“Conservative associations”. Now Tory Party knows as the Conservative Party.
The first Conservative government was formed by Sir Robert Peel from 30
August 1841 – 29 June 1846.

What is Chancellor of the Exchequer- it is the Treasury which sets

Departmental Expenditure Limits.

The chancellor  carries his Budget speech to the House of Commons in a

particular Red Despatch Box. The original Budget briefcase was first used
by  William Gladstone.

William Gladstone  was P.M of Great Britain from15 August 1892.

Now present Chancellor of Exchequer- is Sajid Javid from 24 July 2019. He is a

member of Cabinet, member of Privy Council and member of National Security
Council  and he report to P.M

 First Chancellor of  the Exchequer was Hervey de stanto from 22 June 1316.