The Charter Act Of 1793

 The Charter Act Of 1793

Charter Act, 1793 provisionalised the Company’s trade monopoly with India. The realm of Governance of Governor-General increased over the Governors of Bombay and Madras. The Supreme Court’s jurisdiction was increased to the high seas.

Charter Act, 1793 AD provisionalised the Company’s trade monopoly with India. The realm of Governance of Governor-General increased over the Governors of Bombay and Madras. The Supreme Court’s jurisdiction was increased to the high seas. They can appoint the members of the Civil services as justices of the Peace, scavengers for the presidency towns and can ban on the sale of liquor without license.

Features of the act

1. Act provided the exclusive trade privileges and renewed twenty years.
2. The realm of Governance of Governor-General increased over the Governors of Bombay and Madras.
3. A ‘Regular code’ of all regulations that could be enacted for the internal Government of British territory in Bengal was framed. The regulation was applied to the rights, persons and property of the Indian people and bounded the courts to regulate their decisions by the code itself.This act was made only fairly minimal changes to either the system of government in India or British oversight of the Company's activities. Most importantly, the Company's trade monopoly was continued for a further 20 years. Salaries for the staff and paid members of the Board of Control were also now charged to the Company

Provisions of the Charter Act 1793

• This Act continued the company’s rule over the British territories in India.
• It continued the company’s trade monopoly in India for another 20 years.
• The Act established that “acquisition of sovereignty by the subjects of the Crown is on behalf of the Crown and not in its own right,” which clearly stated that the company’s political functions were on behalf of the British government.
• The company’s dividends were allowed to be raised to 10%.
• The Governor-General was given more powers. He could override his council’s decision under certain circumstances.
• He was also given authority over the governors of Madras and Bombay.
• When the Governor-General was present in Madras or Bombay, he would supersede in authority over the governors of Madras and Bombay.
• In the Governor-General’s absence from Bengal, he could appoint a Vice President from among the civilian members of his Council.
• The composition of the Board of Control changed. It was to have a President and two junior members, who were not necessarily members of the Privy Council.
• The salaries of the staff and the Board of Control were also now charged to the company.
• After all expenses, the company had to pay the British government Rs.5 Lakhs from the Indian revenue annually.
• Senior company officials were barred from leaving India without permission. If they did so, it would be considered as a resignation.
• The company was granted the authority to grant licenses to individuals and company employees to carry on trade in India. This was known as ‘privilege’ or ‘country trade’. This led to shipments of opium to China.
• This Act separated the revenue administration and the judiciary functions of the company leading to the disappearance of Maal Adalats (revenue courts)