LORD CORNWALLIS (A.D. 1786 - A.D. 1793)
Lord Cornwallis became the Governor General of India in
1786. He tried to follow the policy of non-intervention.In 1793, Cornwallis
introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal. The Zamindars were required to
pay a fixed amount in cash on a fixed date as land revenue to the treasury,
irrespective of what they could collect. Slowly the Zamindars brought more
areas under cultivation and made more money while they paid the same fixed
amount to the company. Many Zamindars benefited more than either the company or
the peasants.
Merits
This system was beneficial to the Zamindars. They were the
owners of the lands and they became very loyal to the company. This system
secured a fixed and stable income for the company. This settlement avoided the
evils of periodical settlements.
Demerits
1) Zamindars
became the masters of the land and were benefited.
2) The worst
affected people were the cultivators who were left at the mercy of the
zamindars.
3) To meet
the increasing expenses the government had to increase the tax in other
provinces.
4) The
government had no direct contact with the people.
Administrative
Reforms
Cornwallis introduced a new administrative civil service
system. The civil servants were appointed to administer the British territories
effectively in India. He introduced strict regulations, raised their salaries
and gave promotions on the basis of merit. The employees were not permitted to
carry on private trade. All high posts were reserved only for the English.
Indians could only be selected for subordinate posts.
Police Reforms
Lord Cornwallis created a permanent police force in India.
In 1791 a Commissioner of Police was appointed in Calcutta. The districts were
divided into Thanas. Each Thana was headed by a Daroga. As in the civil
services in the police department too, the Indians were excluded from the
higher posts.
Judicial Reforms
Lord Cornwallis improved the judiciary. The collector was
relieved of his judical duties. He was responsible for revenue collection.
Civil and Criminal Courts were set up at the district level. Provincial courts
of appeal were set up at Dacca, Calcutta, Murshidabad and Patna. Cornwallis
increased the salary of the judges to check bribery and corruption. He
abolished the court fees. A new code of regulations known as “Cornwallis code”
was compiled in 1793 by Sir George Barlow.
Revenue Reforms
He reorganized the Revenue Department. In 1787 the province
of Bengal was divided into many areas and each area was placed under a
collector. He established the Board of Revenue to supervise the work of the
collectors.
Commercial Reforms
Cornwallis revived the old practice of making direct contact
with the Indian merchants and improved trade and commerce.
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