Page 56 - DHIS204_DHIS205_INDIAN_FREEDOM_STRUGGLE_HINDI

Santosh Kumar, Lovely Professional University Unit 4: Reforms of Cornwallis

Unit 4: Reforms of Cornwallis Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
4.1 Reforms of Cornwallis
4.2 Reforms in Public Services
4.3 Police Reforms
4.4 Summary
4.5 Key-Words
4.6 Review Questions
4.7 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, students will be able to:
• Discuss the Reforms of Cornwallis
• Understand the Reforms in Public Services
• Explain the Police Reforms

Introduction
In 1786 the Court of Directors sent Cornwallis, a nobleman of high rank and aristocratic disposition,
to India to carry out the policy of peace outlined in Pitt’s India Act and to reorganise the administrative
system in the country. Cornwallis was specially charged with the duty of finding out a satisfactory
solution of the land revenue problem, establishing an honest and efficient judicial machinery and of
reorganising the commercial department of the Company. In India Cornwallis took up the threads of
the administrative system devised by Warren Hastings and built a superstructure which remained
substantially in force till 1858.
William Cavendish Bentinck succeeded Lord Amherst as Governor-General of India and took charge
of Indian administration in July 1828. Bentinck began his career as an Ensign in the army, but soon
rose to the position of a Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1796 he became a Member of Parliament. He fought
with distinction against the forces of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France in Northern Italy. In
consideration of his military experience, he was appointed Governor of Madras in 1803 to counter
possible French designs in the Deccan. In 1806 some Madras regiments stationed at Vellore mutinied
against the orders of the Commander-in-Chief forbidding them to use their caste-marks or wear
earrings. The Vellore Mutiny was suppressed but the Court of Directors abruptly terminated Bentinck’s
services.
In 1828 Bentinck was selected to succeed Lord Amherst as Governor-General. Bentinck was a true
Whig, inspired by the same ideals which characterised the ruling classes in the Era of Reform in
England. While in command of English troops in Sicily in 1812, William Bentinck had encouraged
the Sicilians to adopt a constitutional government on the English model. In the eulogistic language of
Macaulay, inscribed on Bentinck’s statue at Calcutta, William Bentinck “infused into Oriental
Despotism the spirit of British freedom; who never forgot that the end of government is the welfare
of the governed; who abolished cruel rites; who effaced humiliating distinctions; who allowed liberty
to the expression of public opinion; whose constant study it was to elevate the moral and intellectual
character of the people committed to his charge”.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 51