ABSTRACT
Before discussing the administration of Aden, it is necessary to give an outline of the government of British India. Under the East India Company, the country was divided into three main administrative units called Presidencies, each headed by a Governor. The Presidencies were Bengal, Madras, and Bombay. The Governor of Bengal, who had his seat at Calcutta, was also the GovernorGeneral of all India. He presided over an executive council composed of the Commander-in-Chief, another military officer, and two civilian officers. Similarly, the Governors of Bombay and Madras each presided over an executive council or board of three members, the Commander-in-Chief of the Presidency and two civilians.
