Pitt’s Act of 1784

In order to strengthen the power of the

controlling machinery of the Company’s
government in England, the Act introduced vital
changes by setting up a Board of control.

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Board of Control
A board of six commissioners was set up in
England, which was called as Board control. It
was consisted of
1. Secretary of State
2. Chancellor of Exchequer
3. Four other members from Privy Council to
be appointed by the Crown
Secretary of state was to act as Chairman of
the Board
Authority of Board
The board was authorized to superintend and
control all the revenue and civil activities and
the military forces held by the British in the
East Indies.
Court of proprietors lost its powers

Powers of the Board of Directors

The Directors were given full powers the
appointment of the member of Council and
Governor with the permission of the Crown.
Company’ s Central Government
According to Act central Government of India
placed under a Governor General and three
other council members.
• out of three members one was to be the
Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in
India.
• A coasting vote was given to the Governor
General
• The Governor General and Council were not
authorized to declare war on another power
without the express permission and authority
of the Court Directors.
Government in Presidencies
The Government of the presidencies was to
consist of a governor and council of three
members.
The presidencies were completely made
subordinate to the Governor General and
Council.
British Possession
All the company’s possessions in India were,
for the first time state as the British
possessions.

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 Dual Government
The Act introduced dual government for the
company’s affairs in England.
Commercial functions were placed entirely into the
hands of Directors.
Political functions and responsibilities was given to
the Board control.
The Board of Control represented the Crown
Board of Directors represented the Company

Consequently, the powers of the court of proprietors

lost its influence over the political decisions in
India came an end.