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Indian Freedom Struggle (1707–1947 A.D.) Manu Sharma, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 2: Consolidation of British Raj (1818-1843) and
Development of Central Structure (1773-1863)

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
2.1 Consolidation of the British Raj (1818-1843)
2.2 Development of the Central Structure (1773-1863)
2.3 Regulating Act and Pitt’s India Act
2.4 Summary
2.5 Key-words
2.6 Review Questions
2.7 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, students will be able to:
• Discuss the consolidation of British Raj
• Understand the development of central structure
• Explain Regulating Act and Pitt’s India Act

Introduction
The wars of Lord Hastings (1813-23) opened a new stage in the relations of the East India Company
vis-a-vis the Indian states. The Imperial idea grew and the theory of Paramountcy began to develop.
In February 1814 Hastings noted in his diary: “Our object ought to be to render the British Government
paramount in effect. If not declaredly so.” The treaties that he concluded with the Indian states were
not on the basis of reciprocity and mutual amity, but imposed the obligation on the part of the Indian
states to act in subordinatte cooperation with the British Government and acknowledge its supremacy.
Thus, the Indian states surrendered all forms of external sovereignty to the East India Company. The
states, however, retained full sovereignty in internal administrations
In the early days of the Company, the senior and junior merchants, factors and “writers” performed
commercial as well as administrative functions. The Court of Directors exercised the patronage of
nominating their favourites and not unoften their sons and those of their friends as Civil Servants.
There are cases of civil posts being sold. Warren Hastings created highly paid posts which increased
the cost of administration but did not improve efficiency or remove corruption. Lord Cornwallis took
steps for Europeanization of the services. He further raised the pay scales of civil officials but did
nothing to improve the method of selection and training of Civil Servants. Lord Wellesley took the
first step for training of Civil Servants when he founded the fort William College, in Calcutta in
November 1800 where the Civil Servants of the Company were to receive training in the literature,
science and languages of India. The college did not find the favour of the Court of Directors and was
continued merely as a language school for Bengal Civil Servants till 1854. In England, the Company
in 1806 established the East India College at Hailey bury for imparting a two years’ training to the
young officers appointed for service in the East.
The European merchants companies had to apply a uniform legal system in the territories under
their control. However, it was Lord Cornwallis who improved and elaborated the system by setting
up an hierarchy of courts, both for civil and criminal cases.

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