In 1786, Lord Cornwallis ( Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis) took charge as the Governor-General of Fort William (Bengal) and as the Commander-in-Chief of British India. Before that he placed two demands to accept that post, viz.,

Must read: Pitt’s India Act of 1784

1 . He should be given power to override the decision of his council in special cases.

2 . He would also be the Commander-in-Chief.

Accordingly, the Act of 1786 was enacted to make both the provisions.

Must read: Act of Settlement 1781 – the Amending Act of 1781

Thus via act of 1786, Cornwallis became the first effective ruler of British India under the authority of Board of Control and the Court of Directors.

External link: https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/19081/1/Unit-2.pdf