(i) The Fifth Report was the report on the administration and activities of the East India Simpany in India. From the time the company established its rule in Bengal in the mid 1760s its activities were closely watched and debated in England
(ii) There are many groups in England who were opposed to the monopoly that the East Indian Company had over trade with India and China, who wanted a revocation of the Royal Charter that gave the company this monopoly.
(iii) Also the private traders wanted a share in India trade and the British Industrialists were keen to open up the Indian market for British manufacturers. Many political groups argued that the conquest of Bengal was benefiting only the East India Company but not the British National as a whole.
) (iv) Information about company misrule and maladministration was hotly debated in Britain and Caidents of the gteed and corruption of company officials were widely publicised in the Press. The British Parliament passed a series of Acts in the late 18th century to regulate the control company rule in India. The Acts forced the company to produce regular reports on the administration of India and appointed committees to enquire into the affairs of the company. The Fifth Report was one such report produced by a Select Committee.
