Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India was set up on the basis of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance also known as the Hilton-Young Commission.

The Reserve Bank of India was set up as a Share Holders' Bank. The Share Issue of the Bank offered in March, 1935 was the largest share issue in India at the time. The matter was further compounded by the conditions and restrictions imposed under the Act. These conditions related to qualifications of the shareholders, the geographical distribution and allotment of shares (to avoid concentration of shares and to ensure that those holding the shares were fit and proper. To simplify matters, Share Certificate Forms of the different registers were printed in different colours. Despite the intricate and gigantic nature of the task, it was carried out with great 'accuracy and dispatch'.

A message sent by the Viceroy to the Governor, Osborne Smith when the Reserve Bank of India commenced its operations on 1st April, 1935

Message

OSBORNE SMITH GOVERNOR RESERVE BANK CALCUTTA. FOLLOWING HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM SECRETARY FOR YOU. BEGINS, AS RESERVE BANK COMMENCES OPERATIONS TODAY I TAKE OPPORTUNITY TO CONVEY YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD MY MOST GOOD WISHES AND TO EXPRESS MY CONFIDENCE THAT THIS GREAT UNDERTAKING WILL CONTRIBUTE LARGELY TO THE ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF INDIA AND OF ITS PEOPLE. PRIVATE SECRETARY VICEROY