Notes on Indian History and Governor-Generals till 1857

Recap of Previous Lecture

  • Topics Covered:

    • India in 18th century

    • Advent of Europeans

    • British Conquest of India

    • Various Acts till 1857

    • Governor Generals till 1857

    • Socio-Religious Reform Movements

    • People's Uprising

    • Revolt of 1857

Governor-General Overview

  • Warren Hastings (1772-1785):

    • First Governor-General of Bengal.

    • Promoted eastern values and languages; learned Bengali and Persian.

Administrative Reforms

  • Abolition of Dual System (1772)

    • Dual Government structure abolished.

  • Established India’s First Supreme Court

    • Based on English law in Calcutta.

  • Regulating Acts:

    • Passed in 1773 and 1781 to refine governance structure.

    • Divided jurisdiction between the Government of Calcutta and the Supreme Court.

  • Asiatic Society of Bengal (1784):

    • Co-founded with Sir William Jones.

  • Pitt’s India Act (1784):

    • Reduced Governor-General's council size, established the Board of Control.

Revenue Reforms

  • Appointment of an English Collector per district.

  • Establishment of the Board of Revenue in Calcutta.

  • Quinquennial System (Five-Year Settlement):

    • Land farming system; prioritized Zamindars.

    • Ultimately deemed a failure, reverted to annual settlements.

Judicial Reforms

  • Sadar Diwani Adalat:

    • Highest civil court of appeals, presided by the Governor-General.

  • Sadar Nizamat Adalat:

    • Highest criminal court; included Indian judges for local laws.

  • Legal documentation and translations enabled better access for Hindus and Muslims.

Trade Regulation and Policing

  • Abolished the Dastak system regulating internal trade.

  • Strengthened police in Calcutta; punitive measures against crime.

Expansionist Policies

  • Conflicts during his rule:

    • Rohilla War (1774)

    • First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782)

    • Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784)

  • Impeached in England for these military decisions.

Lord Cornwallis (1786-1793)

  • Succeeded Warren Hastings.

  • Significant for administrative reforms; aimed to improve governance quality.

Administrative and Judicial Reforms

  • Elimination of low-paid positions; salary increases for officials.

  • Cornwallis Code (1793):

    • Separated administration into judicial and revenue branches; improved governance structure.

    • Established District Judges, removing judicial power from revenue collectors.

Police Administration

  • District Judges supervised police work; ineffective implementation.

Lord Minto I (1807-1813)

  • Focused on diplomacy during Napoleonic Wars.

  • Treaty of Amritsar (1809):

    • Stabilized Punjab by forming alliances.

  • Avoided major conflict; adhered to non-interventionist policies.

Lord William Bentinck (1828-1835)

  • Considered an enlightened Governor-General; focused on welfare policies.

  • Charter Act of 1833:

    • Ended Company’s monopoly on key trades.

  • Significant social reforms:

    • Abolished Sati (1829): Law against the practice of widow burning.

    • Suppression of Thuggee:

    • Efforts to end ritualistic robberies.

Educational Reforms

  • Promoted English education via Macaulay's recommendations.

  • Calcutta Medical College established.

Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856)

  • Introduced modernization; known as "father of Railways" in India.

  • Doctrine of Lapse:

    • Expansionist policy leading to annexations.

Infrastructure and Educational Reforms

  • Raised funds for railway and telegraph systems.

  • Public Instructions Departments: Established a structured education system, leading to the establishment of three major universities in 1857.