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Manu Sharma, Lovely Professional University Unit 5: Reforms of William Bentinck

Unit 5: Reforms of William Bentinck Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
5.1 Administrative Reforms
5.2 Educational Reforms
5.3 Financial Reforms
5.4 Judicial Reforms
5.5 Summary
5.6 Key-Words
5.7 Review Questions
5.8 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, students will be able to:
• Discuss the reforms of William Bentinck
Introduction

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.
5.1 Administrative Reforms

Undoubtedly, Bentinck took effective steps to root out social evils like sati and infanticide, established
law and order in the country by suppressing the thugs, gave a larger share to the Indians in the
subordinate services, expressed noble sentiments regarding the liberty of the press and took vital
decisions regarding the educational system in India. He, however, did nothing to liberalize the
administration or extend the blessings of political liberty to India to deserve the great praise Macaulay
has showered on him. The Company’s government remained as despotic as ever. P.E. Roberts is very
correct when he remarks that “the famous statement represents rather the pious aspirations of the
Governor-General and the ultimate tendency of his policy, than anything actually achieved”.
Abolition of Sati and Cruel Rites: No previous Governor-General of India had ever tackled social
problems with greater courage than Bentinck did. He tried to reform Hindu society by abolition of
the cruel rite of sati and suppression of infanticide. He crushed the gangs of assassins called thugs
and made peaceful living possible.
The term sati literally means ‘a pure and virtuous woman’. It is used in the case of a devoted wife
who contemplates perpetual and uninterrupted conjugal union with her husband after life and as a
proof thereof burns herself with the dead body of her husband. The belief that the dead need company
and victuals in their journey to far off Paradise was prevalent among many primitive peoples, and it

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