Amending Act of 1786: Objective, Governance & Feature

Amending Act of 1786: Cornwallis’ Authority and British India’s Governance

The British Government passed the Amending Act of 1786 to give the Governor-General, Lord Cornwallis, more authority to make important decisions without needing approval from his council, especially in unusual situations. This article will explore the history, goals, important sections, and significance of the Amending Act of 1786.

Lord Cornwallis and the Amending Act of 1786: A Turning Point in Bengal’s Governance

• In 1786, Lord Cornwallis assumed the role of Governor-General of Bengal with two specific requests.
• Firstly, he sought the authority to overturn his council’s decisions in exceptional situations.
• Secondly, he desired the power to override his council’s choices.
• Additionally, he would also hold the position of Commander-in-Chief.

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• Lord Cornwallis’s Contributions: Lord Cornwallis is renowned for his significant contributions, including the restructuring of the British military and government, along with the implementation of crucial reforms in land management, the judicial system, and administration.
• Advocacy for Executive Authority: He advocated for an expansion of the Governor-General’s powers, enabling him to act independently in unique circumstances, overriding the decisions of the majority within his council.
• Dual Role: Lord Cornwallis held the unique position of being both Governor-General and Commander in Chief, becoming the first effective ruler under the authority of the Board of Control and the Court of Directors.
• Administrative Changes: This dual role empowered him to introduce significant reforms, including a restructured judicial system and the implementation of administrative changes.
  • Notably, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Permanent Settlement in Bengal.

Objectives of the Amending Act of 1786

• The main aim was to boost the authority of the Governor-General.
• Another goal was to outline specific rules for handling situations when there was a lack of agreement between the council and the Governor-General.

Amending Act of 1786: Key Provisions and Power Dynamics

Here are the Key Provisions for the Amending Act of 1786.

• Merger: It merged the roles of Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief.
• Greater Authority: The Governor-General gained greater authority in exceptional situations, able to override the council.
• Removal of King’s Approval: The King’s approval was no longer needed to appoint the Governor-General.
• Affirmation of Court of Directors’ Powers: The Amendment Act affirmed the Court of Directors’ powers in appointing the Commander-in-Chief, Governor-General, and Council members.
• Requirement for Written Viewpoints: In cases where the Governor-General or Governor used their extraordinary powers to override the council, both sides had to provide their written viewpoints on the matter.
• Personal Responsibility: If the Governor-General or Governor decided to act independently, they would be personally responsible for their actions without council approval.

Drawbacks of Amending Act of 1786: A Double-Edged Sword in British India’s Governance

• While the Amendment Act of 1786 did grant extraordinary authority to override the Council’s decisions, it’s important to note that the inclusion of the personal liability clause for actions taken without Council approval had a somewhat diminishing effect on its overall impact.

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Amending Act of 1786 FAQs

Q.1) What were the provisions of the Amending Act of 1781?

Ans. The British Parliament approved the Amending Act of 1781 on July 5th, 1781, with the aim of addressing the shortcomings of the Regulating Act of 1773. Often referred to as the Declaratory Act of 1781, its main focus was on defining the relationship between the Supreme Court and the Governor-General in Council.

Q.2) What were the important changes introduced by Lord Cornwallis?

Ans. Cornwallis brought about significant changes within the Board of Trade, responsible for the Company’s business interests. Collaborating with Charles Grant, he successfully eradicated several instances of misconduct and corruption. Furthermore, under his leadership, weavers and Indian laborers received fair treatment, and he implemented pay increases for those providing honest service.

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