Background
Brit State lost 13 colonies in North America in 1783 fear of EIC declaring independence focus of Act on control & supervision.
Brit State
- for first time British Territorial Possessions in India used
- British trying to call India their possession rather than Company’s
- but issues of sovereignty not yet clear
- Political affairs of East India Company brought under supreme control of Parliament by setting up Board of Control in London (like a ministry)
- Political/ civil, military, revenue matters under BoC
- Commercial still with CoD/EIC
- BoC: 6 members
- Secretary of State
- Chancellor of Exchequer
- 4 privy council ministers
Role of Board of Control
- superintend direct and control all acts, ops and control related to CMR
- Govt. of British Territorial Possessions in East Indies
- CoD to send all incoming & outgoing letters for India to Boc
- Principal servants of EIC in India to be appt. by EIC but only after approval of Crown
- EIC retained commerce and patronage
- Dual control over GGBe
Powers of GGBe
- GB & GM subordinated to GGBe in war, peace, revenue
- responsibilities of GG & Gov clearly defined to overcome weakness created by vague wordings
- problem of indecision: GG council size reduced to 3
- GGBe given 2 votes: 1 regular, 1 casting
- council of 3 headed by governor was also created in B, M
- Imperial expansion banned due to high war expenditure in Anglo Maratha war
Conquest of India is repugnant to the wish, policy and honor of this nation.
Impact
- dual control of GG meant no control as he could play his 2 masters against each other
- still no vote to GG in his council
- issue of indecision continues
- fixed in Amending Act 1786
- conflict b/w GG and CIC as decision of war and peace with GG but right to use army with Commander in Chief (CIC)