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Fonds

Records of the Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India

Catalogue reference: IOR/F

What’s it about?

This record is about the Records of the Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India dating from 1620-1859.

Is it available online?

Maybe, but not on The National Archives website. This record is held at British Library: Asian and African Studies.

Can I see it in person?

Not at The National Archives, but you may be able to view it in person at British Library: Asian and African Studies.

Full description and record details

Reference

IOR/F

Title

Records of the Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India

Date

1620-1859

Description

General records on all subjects.

Held by
British Library: Asian and African Studies
Legal status

Public Record(s)

Language

English

Creator(s)
Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India
Physical description

2889 volumes

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Administrative / biographical background

The Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India, more commonly known as the Board of Control or the India Board, was established by Act of Parliament in 1784 to represent the British Government in its dealings with India and the East India Company. It supervised the proceedings of the Company in all matters of administration, and approved the Company's dispatches to India, with the power to alter them as it saw fit. It also had the authority to dictate dispatches on its own account which the EIC Court of Directors were obliged to sign and send out whether they concurred with them or not. In the beginning the Board consisted of six Commissioners, ie one of the Secretaries of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer plus four other Privy Councillors. From 1793 the Board had a permanent President (previously this office had been held by the senior presiding Privy Councillor). From time to time over the years changes were made to its constitution, and its powers over the East India Company were increased. In November 1858 when the Crown took over the direct management of the Government of India from the East India Company the powers of the Company and the Board were transferred to the Secretary of State for India in Council.

Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/4124b9ca-d51c-4faa-a96a-685b890ff7a5/

Catalogue hierarchy

963,091 records

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Records of the Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India