Discuss the provisions of the Pitt’s India Act;
- A board of control consisting of six members was created. They were appointed by the Crown.
- The court of directors was retained without any alteration in its composition.
- The Act also introduced significant changes in the Indian administration. It reduced the number of the Governor-General’s’ council from four to three including the Commander-in¬Chief.
Pitt’s India Act constitutes a significant landmark with regard to the foreign policy of the company. A critical review of the Act reveals that it had introduced a kind of contradiction in the functions of the Company. The Court of Directors controlled its commercial functions, whereas the Board of Control maintained its political affairs. In fact, the Bloarde represented the king and the directors symbolised the company.