The Regulating Act of 1773

The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first major step in the British government's efforts to control the East India Company's affairs in India. It sought to establish a system of governance for British India and to prevent corruption and abuse of power by the Company officials. The act established a Governor-General of Bengal and a Supreme Court of Judicature in Calcutta. The Governor-General was given the power to make regulations and to override the decisions of the Council of Bengal. The act also required the Company to submit regular reports to the British government.

Pitt's India Act of 1784

The Pitt's India Act of 1784 was another attempt by the British government to regulate the affairs of the East India Company. It created a new Board of Control to oversee the Company's affairs in India. The Board was responsible for supervising the Company's activities in India and for making policy decisions. The act also established a system of dual government in India, with the Governor-General and the Council of Bengal sharing power.

Charter Act of 1833

The Charter Act of 1833 was the most significant of the three acts in terms of reducing the power of the East India Company. It renewed the Company's charter for another 20 years, but it also made significant changes to the way the Company operated in India. The act abolished the system of dual government and gave the Governor-General complete control over British India. It also established a system of open competition for civil service positions, ending the Company's monopoly on government jobs.

Impact on the East India Company

These acts left the East India Company as a mere shadow of its earlier political and economic power in India. The Company had lost its monopoly on trade and was now subject to greater government control. The Company's role in governing India was greatly reduced, and its military power was also diminished. The acts paved the way for the British government to take direct control of India in 1858, with the East India Company's role in India coming to an end.