Which of the following acts authorised the Governor General to override his council in matters affecting the interest of British empire in India?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 05 Jun, 2025 Shift 2)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Charter Act of 1793.

Key Points

The Charter Act of 1793 was instrumental in reinforcing the power of the Governor-General of India in certain critical matters.
It authorised the Governor-General to override the decisions of his council in cases where the interests of the British Empire in India were at stake.
This act was an extension of the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt’s India Act of 1784, further centralising power in the hands of the Governor-General.
The provision was seen as a measure to ensure the efficient administration of British interests in India without unnecessary delays caused by council disagreements.
The act also renewed the East India Company’s charter for another 20 years, maintaining its monopoly over trade with India.

Additional Information

Charter Act of 1813:
- This act ended the East India Company’s trade monopoly in India, except for trade in tea and trade with China.
- It allowed Christian missionaries to propagate their religion in India.
- It allocated funds for the promotion of education in India.
Regulating Act of 1773:
- This was the first attempt by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India.
- It created the position of the Governor-General of Bengal and established a council to assist him.
Pitt's India Act of 1784:
- This act established a system of dual control by creating a Board of Control in Britain to supervise the East India Company’s administration in India.
- It distinguished between the company’s commercial and political functions.
Centralisation of Power:
- The Charter Act of 1793 was part of the broader British strategy to centralise administrative power in India for better governance and control.
- This trend continued in subsequent acts, culminating in the complete transfer of power to the British Crown under the Government of India Act 1858.