The Board of Control was established by the India Act of 1784. The Act was designed to bring the East India Company under the control of the British government, replacing the Regulating Act of 1773 which allowed the government to supervise, but not directly control, the company’s affairs.
Under the terms of the 1784 Act, the new Board of Control would consist of six men, known as Commissioners for the Affairs of India and appointed from the current Privy Council, headed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Board would have sight of all company papers and had the power to issue orders directly to company directors.
In 1793 the salaried office of President of the Board of Control was created. Sir Charles Wood was President from 30 December 1852 (succeeding John Charles Herries) until 3 March 1855.
The Board of Control was abolished in 1858 by the Government of India Act which transferred control of India fully from the East India Company to the British Crown and transferred its functions to a new Secretary of State for India.
President of the Board of Control for India
This material is held atBorthwick Institute for Archives, University of York
- Reference
- GB 193 HALIFAX/F78/1-54, L.B.III-VII
- Dates of Creation
- 1842-1857
- Name of Creator
Administrative / Biographical History
Note
The Board of Control was established by the India Act of 1784. The Act was designed to bring the East India Company under the control of the British government, replacing the Regulating Act of 1773 which allowed the government to supervise, but not directly control, the company’s affairs.
Under the terms of the 1784 Act, the new Board of Control would consist of six men, known as Commissioners for the Affairs of India and appointed from the current Privy Council, headed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Board would have sight of all company papers and had the power to issue orders directly to company directors.
In 1793 the salaried office of President of the Board of Control was created. Sir Charles Wood was President from 30 December 1852 (succeeding John Charles Herries) until 3 March 1855.
The Board of Control was abolished in 1858 by the Government of India Act which transferred control of India fully from the East India Company to the British Crown and transferred its functions to a new Secretary of State for India.
Additional Information
Published