In which year Regulating Act was passed ?

The correct answer is Option 4 - 1773.

Key Points

• The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first significant attempt by the British Parliament to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India.
• It established a Governor-General of Bengal and created an executive council of four members to assist the Governor-General.
• The Act brought the presidencies of Bombay and Madras under the control of the Governor-General of Bengal, centralizing the administration.
• It marked the beginning of parliamentary control over the East India Company’s administration in India.
• The Act also required the company to report its revenue and civil affairs to the British government regularly.

Additional Information

• East India Company:
  • The East India Company was a British trading corporation established in 1600 to trade in the East Indies but eventually focused on India.
  • By the mid-18th century, the company had gained significant control over large parts of India.
• Governor-General of Bengal:
  • Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773.
  • This position was pivotal for centralizing British authority in India.
• Supreme Court of Calcutta:
  • The Act established the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William (Calcutta) in 1774.
  • This court was meant to ensure justice for British subjects residing in India.
• Impact of the Regulating Act:
  • The Act exposed corruption and inefficiency within the East India Company’s administration.
  • It laid the foundation for subsequent reforms, including the Pitt’s India Act of 1784.