Pitt's India Act, 1784 - General Knowledge of Modern India
To remove the weaknesses of the Regulating Act and to protect the interests of the British, the British Parliament passed the Pitts India Act in 1784 AD. This Act gave the British Government the right of paramount control over the affairs of the Company and its administration in India.
Let us know about Proposals, Significance and Features of Pitt's India Act, 1784.
Proposals/Features of Pitt's India Act
- According to the new law, a 6-member Board of Control was established whose function was to give necessary guidance and control over their proceedings to the Board of Directors and the Government of India.
- The Minister of Economy of England and members of the Privy Council were kept as its members.
- A secret committee of 3 members was also formed to send confidential orders to India.
- The number of members of the Governor-General's council was reduced to three.
The Governors of Madras and Bombay Presidencies were placed entirely under the Governor General in matters relating to war and peace and revenue. The Governor General could no longer adopt any kind of policy (war, peace or friendship) towards any native state without the consent of the Board of Control.
The Pitts India Act was a supplement to the Regulating Act. This law brought the policies of the Company completely under the control of the Government of England. Although there were some flaws in this act, however, highlighting its importance, CH Phillips has written, 'The Act of 1784 AD was a clever and devious proposal which put the political power of the governing committee under the secret and effective control of the cabinet.' This act prepared the administrative structure which continued till 1858 with some modifications.
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Modern India