Speech on the East India Bill

Essay | Edmund Burke
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Mention the four objections raised by the bill against the charter of the East India Company.

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Mention the four objections raised by the bill against the charter of the East India Company.

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) saw the East India Company as cruel and corrupt. He believed the Company used its charter to hurt the people of India. In his “Speech on the East India Bill” (1783), Burke gave strong reasons for reform. But some people raised objections against the bill. Burke clearly answered these objections in his powerful speech.

Chartered Rights Of Men: Some said the bill attacked the chartered rights of men. They believed the East India Company had legal rights. But Burke said that these rights should not harm people. He believed no charter should allow cruelty. He said rights must help people, not destroy them. So, this bill was not against rights but for justice and protection.

Power of the Crown: Others feared the bill gave too much power to the Crown. Th

ey thought it would destroy balance in government. But Burke said this fear was wrong. The bill gave power to a board under Parliament, not to the King. It did not break any rules. It tried to bring control over misuse of power, not more royal power.

Party Control Fear: Some members thought the bill would help only one political party. They said it would reduce the Crown’s power and increase that of certain ministers. But Burke denied this. He said the aim was not party gain. It was to save thirty million Indians. 

Effect on National Credit: Some feared the bill would hurt national credit. They believed it would shake trust in law and trade. But Burke said the wrong rule in India was the real danger. If the Company had not been stopped, Britain’s honour and name would have fallen. 

In fine, Burke’s speech clearly answers all the objections. The bill did not harm rights, power, or credit. It only wanted to stop abuse and help India. Burke stood for justice, not power. His words still remind us that the law must protect people, not power or profit.

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