Q. With reference to Pitt’s India Act of 1784, consider the following statements:
1.It established a system of double government by creating the Board of Control for political affairs.
2.It vested complete control of both commercial and political functions in the Board of Control.
3.It was the first Act to refer to the Company’s territories as the ‘British possessions in India’.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanatiin
- The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 created a new body called the Board of Control, which was tasked with managing the political affairs of the East India Company. At the same time, the Court of Directors continued to handle commercial affairs. This separation of powers led to a unique system known as “double government.”
- The Board of Control was given authority only over political, civil, and military matters. Commercial functions remained under the purview of the Court of Directors. Thus, control was divided — not centralized in the Board of Control.
- This Pitt’s India Act of 1784 marked a significant constitutional shift by explicitly referring to the Company’s territories in India as “British possessions,” reinforcing the idea that sovereignty ultimately rested with the British Crown, and not just the trading company.
Source: Laxmikant (Polity)
