ABSTRACT
Between 1757 and 1784, the development of the East India Company from a predominantly commercial into a predominantly territorial power undermined the stability of its home government. The almost complete failure of Lord North’s Regulating Act of 1773, and the Reports of the Select and Secret Committees of 1781, necessitated the reconsideration and adoption by Parliament of a new system for both the home and Indian governments of the Company. There were two major East India interests in London, namely, the Indian interest and the Company or City and Shipping interest. The Indian interest was sub-divided into groups, in particular, the Arcot interest and the Hastings interest. Pitt took office pledged to introduce an India bill as soon as possible, and he devoted his Christmas vacation to its preparation. The Opposition did its utmost to spread the belief that Pitt had been carried into office on the shoulders of the Indian interest.
