Question 1

The Regulating Act of 1773 was significant because it was:

Accepted Answer

The first parliamentary legislation to regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India. The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first parliamentary legislation by the British Parliament to regulate the political and administrative affairs of the East India Company in India. It established a Governor-General of Bengal with authority over the other Presidencies of Bombay and Madras. The act marked the beginning of British parliamentary oversight over Company rule in India.

Question 2

Under the Regulating Act of 1773, who was appointed as the first Governor-General of Bengal?

Accepted Answer

Warren Hastings. Warren Hastings was appointed as the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773. He held the post from 1773 to 1785 and was responsible for consolidating British power in India. Hastings was later impeached by the British Parliament though he was ultimately acquitted.

Question 3

Pitt's India Act of 1784 established a dual system of control. The two bodies were:

Accepted Answer

The Board of Control and the Court of Directors. Pitt's India Act of 1784 established a dual system of control through the Board of Control (representing the British government) and the Court of Directors (representing the Company). The Board of Control had authority over political and military matters while the Court of Directors managed commercial affairs. This dual structure remained in place until the Government of India Act 1858 abolished Company rule.

Question 4

What was the main significance of Pitt's India Act 1784 for British governance in India?

Accepted Answer

It gave the British Parliament effective control over the Company's political and military affairs. Pitt's India Act of 1784 gave the British Parliament effective control over the East India Company's political and military affairs in India through the newly created Board of Control. While the Company retained commercial operations, governance was brought under parliamentary supervision. This act is considered a foundational step toward the eventual Crown takeover of 1858.

Question 5

The Charter Act of 1813 ended which monopoly of the East India Company?

Accepted Answer

Trade monopoly with India (except tea and China trade). The Charter Act of 1813 ended the East India Company's trade monopoly with India, though it retained its monopoly on trade with China and on the tea trade. This opened Indian trade to British merchants, increasing commercial exploitation of India. The act also allocated one lakh rupees annually for the promotion of Indian education.

Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu) — Set 1