Charter Act of 1793

The Charter was to be renewed in 1793. Henry Dundas, President of the Board of Control, was in favor of renewing the Charter and allowing the Company to retain its political privileges and responsibilities. Cornwallis also supported this stand. The Charter of the Company was renewed for 20 years and it was declared that it would be allowed to continue with the possession of all territories for the next 20 years. 

The Governor General's and Governors' powers to overrule their council were emphasized and explained. This power had been given specially to Cornwallis in 1786. Governor General's control over the Presidencies was strengthened. He was allowed /to issue orders and directions to any Government and Presidency of lndia during his absence from Bengal without previous consultation with his council. He could exercise all executive power vested in the Central Government. 

A regular code of all regulations that could be enacted for the internal Government of the British territory in Bengal was framed. The Regulation applied to the rights. persons and property of the Indian people and it bound the Courts to regulate their decision by the rules and regulations contained therein. It also required that, "all laws relating to the rights of the person and property should be printed with translation in Indian languages and prefixed with statements of grounds on which they were enacted, "so that the people should become familiar with their rights. privileges and immunities. 

The Act of 1793 thus laid the foundation of government by written laws and regulations in British lndia in place of the personal rule of the past rulers. The interpretation of regulations and written laws was to be done by the Courts. The concepts of a civil law. enacted by a secular human agency and applied universally, was an important change. Indians were not given positions where they could share the influence or authority. Indians were excluded "to satisfy the demand of English men for lucrative jobs."