In British Indian history, which Charter Act of the British Parliament ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India, except for trade in tea and with China?

Introduction / Context:
The evolution of British rule in India was shaped by a series of Acts passed by the British Parliament. One important theme is the gradual loss of the East India Company's commercial privileges and its transformation into a political and administrative agency. This question focuses on the Act that ended the Company's trade monopoly in India, except for trade in tea and with China, a key step in opening Indian markets to private British traders.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about ending the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India.
• The exception is that trade in tea and with China continued under Company control for some time.
• The options include the Regulating Act 1773, Pitt India Act 1784, Charter Acts of 1813 and 1833, and the Government of India Act 1858.
• We must recall which Charter Act dealt specifically with this partial end of monopoly.

Concept / Approach:
The Company initially held exclusive trading rights in the East. Over time, Parliament reviewed these rights through successive Charter Acts. The Charter Act of 1813 renewed the Company's charter but ended its monopoly over trade with India while allowing it to retain monopoly over tea and China trade. The Charter Act of 1833 later ended even this remaining monopoly and turned the Company into a purely administrative body. Therefore, for the partial ending described in the question, the Charter Act of 1813 is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to verify is to associate each Act with its most famous features. The Regulating Act 1773 introduced governmental control over the Company's affairs. Pitt India Act 1784 created a dual system of control by the Board of Control and the Company. The Charter Act 1813 ended the Company's trade monopoly in India but allowed tea and China exceptions. The Charter Act 1833 abolished even those trade rights and created the post of Governor General of India. The Government of India Act 1858 transferred governance from the Company to the British Crown. Only the Charter Act of 1813 matches the specific description given in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Regulating Act of 1773: Concerned with regulating Company governance, not with ending trade monopoly.
• Pitt India Act of 1784: Set up the Board of Control for political supervision, but did not end commercial monopoly in India.
• The Charter Act of 1833: Ended the remaining monopoly on tea and China trade and made the Company purely administrative, going beyond the situation described in the question.
• The Government of India Act 1858: Abolished Company rule altogether and transferred power to the Crown, after the revolt of 1857.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse the Charter Acts of 1813 and 1833 because both deal with trade privileges. A useful memory aid is that 1813 is associated with the first major opening of trade with India, while 1833 completes the process by ending tea and China monopoly. Keeping these distinctions clear helps in tackling several related questions in modern Indian history.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: The Charter Act of 1813.