UPSC Civil Services Examination - Indian
Polity
Chapter 1: Historical Background & Making of the
Constitution
1. The Company Rule (1773 – 1858)
Regulating Act of 1773
Governor-General of Bengal: Designated the Governor of Bengal as the 'Governor-General of
Bengal' and created an Executive Council of four members to assist him. The first such
Governor-General was Lord Warren Hastings.
Subordination of Governors: The Governors of Bombay and Madras presidencies were made
subordinate to the Governor-General of Bengal.
Supreme Court: Provided for the establishment of a Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774)
comprising one Chief Justice and three other judges.
Control over Company: Strengthened the control of the British Government over the Company
by requiring the Court of Directors (governing body of the Company) to report on its revenue,
civil, and military affairs in India.
Pitt’s India Act of 1784
Commercial vs Political Functions: Distinguished between the commercial and political
functions of the East India Company.
Double Government: Allowed the Court of Directors to manage the commercial affairs but
created a new body called Board of Control to manage the political affairs. Thus, it established
a system of double government.
British Possessions: The Company’s territories in India were for the first time called the
‘British possessions in India’.
Charter Act of 1833
Governor-General of India: Made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General
of India and vested in him all civil and military powers. Lord William Bentinck became the
first Governor-General of India.
Centralization: Deprived the governors of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers. The
Governor-General of India was given exclusive legislative powers for the entire British India.
Purely Administrative Body: Ended the activities of the East India Company as a commercial
body, making it a purely administrative body.
Polity
Chapter 1: Historical Background & Making of the
Constitution
1. The Company Rule (1773 – 1858)
Regulating Act of 1773
Governor-General of Bengal: Designated the Governor of Bengal as the 'Governor-General of
Bengal' and created an Executive Council of four members to assist him. The first such
Governor-General was Lord Warren Hastings.
Subordination of Governors: The Governors of Bombay and Madras presidencies were made
subordinate to the Governor-General of Bengal.
Supreme Court: Provided for the establishment of a Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774)
comprising one Chief Justice and three other judges.
Control over Company: Strengthened the control of the British Government over the Company
by requiring the Court of Directors (governing body of the Company) to report on its revenue,
civil, and military affairs in India.
Pitt’s India Act of 1784
Commercial vs Political Functions: Distinguished between the commercial and political
functions of the East India Company.
Double Government: Allowed the Court of Directors to manage the commercial affairs but
created a new body called Board of Control to manage the political affairs. Thus, it established
a system of double government.
British Possessions: The Company’s territories in India were for the first time called the
‘British possessions in India’.
Charter Act of 1833
Governor-General of India: Made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General
of India and vested in him all civil and military powers. Lord William Bentinck became the
first Governor-General of India.
Centralization: Deprived the governors of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers. The
Governor-General of India was given exclusive legislative powers for the entire British India.
Purely Administrative Body: Ended the activities of the East India Company as a commercial
body, making it a purely administrative body.
