Charter Act of 1793

Features of Charter Act of 1793

The East India Company Act 1793, also known as the Charter Act 1793 was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain which renewed the charter issued to the British East India Company, and continued the Company’s rule in India.

The Act 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.

Features of Charter Act of 1793

• The Governor-General was granted extensive powers over the subordinate presidencies. The Governor General and respective governors of the other presidencies could now disregard the respective councils in certain circumstances.

• Senior officials were forbidden from leaving India without permission.

• Salaries for the staff and paid members of the Board of Control were also now charged to the Company.

• Royal approval was mandated for the appointment of the Governor-General, the governors, and the Commander-in-Chief.

→ The Commander-in Chief was not to be a members of the Governor-General’s Council.

• The East India Company was empowered to grant licenses to both individuals and Company employees to trade in India, which paved the way for shipments of opium to China.

The Company’s charter was next renewed by the Charter Act of 1813.