NOTES

The Pitt`s India Act of 1784 was the enactment of the British Parliament to bring the administration of the British East India Company under the direct control of the British Government.All these highly emergency British Indian Acts came as the shameful rule of the Company officials in India, confiscating wealth into their pockets, thereby making Company administration penniless. Hence, the Pitt`s Act was passed, yet again to rectify ruling as immediate cause.limitations were thus imposed upon the law-governors, stating down the powers of the Supreme Court.

The Governor-General in Council was also handed over ultimate power, bestowing upon him the onus to look deep into each matter. Lord Cornwallis was appointed as the next Governor-General to Hastings by this law, stating down additional measures, like establishing a Secret Committee, or establishing sweeter relations with native Indians and striving towards a `permanent settlement`. The commercial and political activities of the Company were now separated.

Board of Control of six members ( including two cabinet ministers ) set-up guide and supervise the affairs of the Company in India.Three members were there in Governor- General’s Executive Council.Secret Committee of three Directors was to look into political and military affairs. Governor General and the council were forbidden to declare war and make treaties without the sanction of secret committee.

Madras and Bombay Presidencies were subordinated to the Governor-General-in-Council of Bengal in all matters.This act gave the British-Government a measure of control over the Company’s affairs. In fact, the Company became a subordinate department of the State.