1600
- East India Company came to India as Traders
- Got exclusive trading rights in a charter by Queen Elizabeth - I
How?
1764 - Battle of Buxar
Between:
- Nawab of Bengal (Mir Qasim)
- Nawab of Awadh (Shuja-Ud-Daula)
- Mughal emperor (Shah Alam II)
- East India Company
V/S
Output:
- Treaty of Allahabad:
- Dual system of government introduced in Bengal
- EIC got Diwani rights at BBO
- Diwani Rights = Revenue Collection, Civil Justice
- BBO = Bengal, Bihar & Orissa
- Annual subsidy to ‘Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II’
- Annual Pension to ‘Nawab of Awadh’ Shuja-Ud-Daula
1765 - 1772
- Dual system of government - By Robert Clive
- Company Officials - Had Authority, No Responsibility
- Indian Representatives - Had Responsibilities, But no Authority
1767
- Corruption by company servants, Private Trading
- First Intervention by British Government
- Asked 10% share in the Plunder (Loot)
Results
- Company leading to Bankruptcy
- But servants were Flourishing
1. The Regulating Act of 1773
- 1st step by British govt. to control EIC
- Recognised first time two distinct functions of EIC:
- Political
- Administrative
- Foundation of Centralization
Features:
- Governor of Bengal -> Governor General of the presidency of Fort William
- 1st GGoB = Lord Warren Hastings
- Executive Council: 4 members, to assist GGoB
- Madras and Bombay: Became subordinate to GGoB (earlier independent)
- Control of British govt: Court of Directors (Governing body of EIC) had to submit a report of revenue, civil and military to British govt.
1774 Charter of Justice
- Supreme Court established at Fort William, Calcutta
- Comprised of: 1 CJI + 3 other Judges
- The servants of the company were prohibited from accepting bribes or presents from the natives, or engaging in private trade.
Scope:
- The Scope was limited to specific areas and did not extend to entire Indian subcontinent.
1781 Amendments (Act of settlement)
- To amend the defects of the Regulating Act of 1773
- SC Jurisdiction defined, within Calcutta.
- Judgment by Person Laws
- Social & religious usages were honored.
- Servant = immune for activities during duty.
2. Pitt's India Act, 1784
Features:
- Governor General: Now had council of three, including Commander-in-Chief.
- Bifurcation of Function: System of Double Government:
- (A) Court of Directors: Commercial functions.
- (B) Board of Control: Political, Civil & military functions.
- Structure of BOC: British Chancellor of exchequers, a Secretary of State, four members of Privy Council, appointed by Crown.
- General prohibitions on wars and treaties (but even though it used to be violated too)
- First time Company's territories in India were called as ‘British Possession in India’. British government got supreme control.
Amending Act of 1786
- Governor General got powers of Commander-in-Chief.
- Lord Cornwallis was allowed to override council's decision, in special cases, and act on his own special responsibility.
- Later it was extended for all Governor - General.
3. Charter Act, 1793
- Home govt. members: Salary from Indian revenue.
- EIC made annual payment to home govt.
- Extended EIC commercial rights for 20 years.
- Governor General – power to disregard majority in council
- Commander in chief was not the member of Governor General’s council.
- EIC allowed to increase dividend to 10%.
- Separation of revenue and judicial functions
- Courts reorganised, jurisdictions redefined.
- Maal Adalats (Revenue Court) disappeared.
4. Charter Act, 1813
Reasons:
- Laissez-Faire in Britain. Pressure by British businessmen to end EIC trade monopoly.
- Continental system by Napoleon: European Ports = closed for Britain.
- Due to Britain and France rivalry.
Features:
- BOC: Powers increased.
- End of Monopoly of East India Company
- But trade with China + trade in tea continued.
- Permission to Christian Missionaries to promote moral and religious improvements.
- Company shareholders -> 10.5% dividend on the revenue of India.
- Company’s debt reduced.
- State became responsible for education. One lakh/year for education.
- Local governments to impose taxes on persons subject to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
- EIC got 20 years more possession over territory.
- Crown became constitutional head.
- First time defined the British territories of India explicitly.
5. Charter Act, 1833
Features
- GGoB became GGoI (Governor General of India).
- GGoI got exclusive legislative powers all over India.
- Lord William Bentick: first GGoI.
- Bombay and Madras were under control of GGoI.
- All civil + military powers also given to GGoI.
- Laws by previous acts = Regulations
- Laws by this act = Acts
- Attempted to introduce a system of open competition (Indians too) for civil services. But Court of Directors rejected it.
- No slavery. (slavery abolished in 1843)
- No restriction to migrate in India. (European)
- EIC became purely administrative (no more a commercial body).
- It's monopoly over trade with China and tea also ended.
- Territories of India were to be governed in the name of crown [In tryst of His majesty, His heirs and successors].
- It was the final step towards centralization.
6. Charter Act, 1853
Features:
- Introduced Parliamentary system: Separation of power between LC and EC of Governor General's council.
- ILC worked as Mini-Parliament.
Legislative council (LC)
- Introduction of Local Representation: 6 members selected.
- 4/6 appointed from local provincial govt. of Madras, Bengal, Bombay & Agra.
Executive council (EC)
- Veto over LC
- Law Member = full time member of EC.
Macaulay Committee on ICS, 1854
- Open competition for civil services (Indians too).
