The Regulating act 1773 was issued by the British Government. It was the first step taken by the British parliament to control and regulate the affairs related the East India Company in India.
It designated the Governor of Bengal as the Governor-General of Bengal. The first Governor-General was Lord Warren Hastings. This act subordinated the governors of Bombay and Madras to the Governor-General of Bengal.
This subordination led to the concentration of powers under the
Governor-General and his subordinates resulting in uncontrolled corruption and weakening of command structure at lower levels.
The Supreme Court was established at Fort
Williams in Calcutta, 1774. Comprising one Chief Justice and three other judges. Sir Elijah Impey was the first Chief Justice.
This act prohibited the servant of the company from engaging in any private trade or accepting gifts or bribes from the native Indians.
The Regulating Act of 1773 was a significant legislation passed by the British Parliament to regulate the administration of the East India Company in India. It was enacted to address the concerns of mismanagement, corruption, and abuses of power by the Company.
The important provisions made under this act are as follows:
1. It Established a Governor-General of Bengal, Warren Hastings, as the head of the Company’s administration in India and created an Executive Council of four members to assist him. It subordinated governors of Madras and Bombay to him.
2. Created a Supreme Court in Calcutta to administer justice and oversee the Company’s activities. It was established in 1774.
- It comprised one chief justice and 3 other judges. Elijah Impey was the first chief justice.
- In 1781, the Act was amended and the Governor-General, the Council and the servants of the government were exempted from the jurisdiction if they did anything while discharging their duties.
3. Divided the Company’s territory into provinces, each governed by a Governor and Council.
4. Prohibited the Company from engaging in wars without the approval of the British government.
The Regulating Act marked the beginning of British India’s transformation from a trading company to a colonial administration, paving the way for the eventual British Raj in India.
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