Lord Cornwallis, a warrior-statesman. He succeeded Warren Hastings as Governor-General in 1786. He belonged to an influential and aristocratic family which had wider political connections. He was also a close friend of Prime Minister Pitt. Dundas, the most influential member of the Board of Control was also one of his close friends. He famed himself as a remarkable soldier in the American War of Independence.
Although he surrendered at York Town in 1781 before the American troops, his reputation was not spoiled. He still enjoyed the confidence of the authorities at Home. After his return from America he was offered the Governor-Generalship in India.
Cornwallis was prompted by a strong sense of public duty and enjoyed the respect as well as the confidence of his fellow countrymen. The Parliament was prepared to give him extraordinary legal powers to carry out essential reforms in the administration of Bengal. It amended Pitt’s India Act in 1786 so as enable him to overrule the decision of the majority of his council, if necessary.
With his appointment, a new tradition of choosing a person from an aristocratic family for the post of Governor-General was initiated. It was his good fortune that he had an excellent team of subordinates comprising John Shore, James Grant, and Sir William Jones. Although Cornwallis commenced his work under beneficial circumstances, he had to carry out his policies with great care.
Extraordinary Legal Powers to overrule the decision of Council of Ministers (Amendment in Pitts act)
Founded Permanent Settlement of Bengal (Zamindari System) [ Zamindari > Mahalwari > Ryotwari → In Effectivity; but reverse order areawise]
Also known as Decennial settlement as farms were given to Zamindars for 10 years
Revenue was fixed & non raisable (10/11 part to company & 1/11 to Zamindar)
Mainly in Bengal , Bihar & Banaras
Laid foundation of Indian administrative Services by making appointments on the basis of merit in civil services
Purified Civil Services but only for Europeans → Europeanisation of the services
All high Indian officials were dismissed and all posts worth more than £500 a year were reserved for Europeans
Established regular polish force & established thanas in district under Darogas with head of thanas as SP
The greatest work of Cornwallis was the purification of the civil service by the EMPLOYMENT of capable and honest public servants. He aimed at economy, SIMPLIFICATION and purity. He found that the servants of the Company were underpaid. But they received very high commissions on revenues. In addition to that they conducted forbidden and profitable private trade in the names of relatives and friends.
Cornwallis, who aimed at cleansing the administration, abolished this malicious system of paying small salaries and allowing enormous perquisites. He persuaded the Directors of the Company to pay handsome salaries to the Company servants in order that they might free themselves from commercial and corrupting activities.
Further, Cornwallis inaugurated the policy of making appointments mainly on the basis of merit thereby laying the foundation of the Indian Civil Service. To cut down on extravagances, he abolished a number of surplus posts.
Another major reform that Cornwallis introduced was the separation of the three branches of service, namely commercial, judicial and revenue. The collectors were deprived of their judicial powers and their work became merely the collection of revenue.
Judicial Reforms
Cornwallis introduced some significant reforms in the sphere of judicial administration and tried to complete the unfinished work of Warren Hastings. During his period number of revenue districts was reduced from 35 to 23 in the Presidency of Bengal. The collector was the head of the district. In 1787 district courts were presided over by the collector. The collectors were vested with magisterial powers and empowered to administer criminal Justice.
In 1790-92 further changes were made in the administration of criminal justice. The Faujdari Adalats of the districts were abolished and in their place four circuit courts were established at Dacca, Patna, Calcutta and Murshidabad. These courts were presided over by two covenanted servants of the company who decided the cases with the help of Qazis and Muftis. The Sadar Nizamat Adalat was again shifted from Murshidabad to Calcutta. The Muhammadan Judge of this Adalat was removed and in his place the Governor General and Council presided over the Sadar Nizamat Adalat.
By 1793 the judicial reforms of Cornwallis took the final shape and were embodied in the famous Cornwallis Code. Separation of powers was the basis of the new reforms. The collector was deprived of all his judicial and magisterial powers. The judges tried all civil cases in the districts.
The collector was required to look after the administration and to realise the revenue of the district. Under the subordination of the District Judge Civil and criminal courts of Lower grade were established in which the Munsif and Sadar Amin tried the minor cases of the people. Appeals could be made to district court against the decisions of the Lower Courts.
Police Reforms
1. The effective implementation of judicial reforms required the reorganisation of police administration. 2. The District Judge controlled the police. 3. Each district was divided into thanas or police circles each of which was about 20 square miles 4. It was placed under an Indian officer called the daroga who was ably assisted by many constables.
Other Reforms
1. Cornwallis reformed the Board of Trade which managed the commercial investments of the Company. 2. With the aid of Charles Grant, he eradicated numerous abuses and corrupt practices. 3. Fair treatment was given to weavers and Indian workers. 4. He increased the remuneration for honest service.
Estimate of Cornwallis
1. Cornwallis, a blue-blooded aristocrat, was an ardent patriot. 2. He discharged his duties fearlessly, and his life was an embodiment of ‘duty and sacrifice’. 3. He perceived the danger of Tipu’s growing power and curtailed it by boldly discarding the policy of non-intervention. 4. As an administrator, he consolidated the Company’s position in India and started the tradition of efficient and pure administration. 5. His administrative and judicial reforms were solid achievements He may be regarded the parent of the Indian Administrative Service and founder of an efficient and clean system of administration. 6. Sir John Shore (1793-98) succeeded Cornwallis as Governor General and his administration was uneventful.
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Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (1738-1805), was a British general and statesman who served in the American Revolutionary War, the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the Irish Rebellion of 1798, the Peninsular War, and the Second Anglo-Burmese War. He is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War, where he surrendered to American forces at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.
Cornwallis was born in London in 1738. He was the son of Charles Cornwallis, 2nd Earl Cornwallis, and Lady Elizabeth Bennet. He was educated at Eton College and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. He joined the British Army in 1756 and served in the Seven Years’ War.
In 1775, Cornwallis was sent to North America to fight in the American Revolutionary War. He was appointed commander-in-chief of British forces in the southern colonies in 1778. He led British forces to victory in the Siege of Charleston in 1780. However, he was defeated by American forces at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. This defeat led to the end of the American Revolutionary War.
After the American Revolutionary War, Cornwallis returned to England. He was appointed Governor of India in 1786. He served in this position until 1793. During his time in India, he fought in the Second Anglo-Maratha War. He was victorious in the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799.
In 1798, Cornwallis was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He served in this position until 1801. During his time in Ireland, he suppressed the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
In 1801, Cornwallis was appointed commander-in-chief of British forces in the Peninsular War. He served in this position until 1805. During his time in the Peninsular War, he fought in several battles against French forces. He was victorious in the Battle of Vimeiro in 1808, but he was defeated at the Battle of Corunna in 1809.
Cornwallis died in 1805 at the age of 67. He was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Cornwallis was a skilled military commander. He was also a capable administrator. However, he is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War. His surrender at the Battle of Yorktown led to the end of the war.
Cornwallis’ legacy is mixed. He is considered a hero in Britain, but he is seen as a traitor in the United States. He is also remembered for his role in the suppression of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
Despite his mixed legacy, Cornwallis was a significant figure in British history. He was a skilled military commander and a capable administrator. He played a major role in the American Revolutionary War, the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the Irish Rebellion of 1798, the Peninsular War, and the Second Anglo-Burmese War.
Who was Lord Cornwallis?
Lord Cornwallis was a British general and statesman who served as the Governor-General of India from 1786 to 1793. He is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War, where he surrendered to American forces at Yorktown in 1781.
What were some of Lord Cornwallis’s accomplishments?
Lord Cornwallis was a successful military commander who won several battles during the American Revolutionary War. He was also a skilled politician who served as the Governor-General of India and the Viceroy of Ireland.
What were some of Lord Cornwallis’s failures?
Lord Cornwallis is best known for his surrender to American forces at Yorktown in 1781. This event marked the turning point of the American Revolutionary War and led to the eventual independence of the United States.
What was Lord Cornwallis’s legacy?
Lord Cornwallis is a controversial figure in American history. Some view him as a traitor who betrayed the American cause, while others see him as a brave and honorable soldier who fought for his country. Regardless of one’s opinion of him, Lord Cornwallis was a significant figure in American history who played a major role in the American Revolutionary War.
What were some of the key events in Lord Cornwallis’s life?
Lord Cornwallis was born in 1738 in London, England. He joined the British Army in 1757 and fought in the Seven Years’ War. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1768 and served as a member of Parliament until 1780. He was appointed Governor-General of India in 1786 and served in that position until 1793. He was appointed Viceroy of Ireland in 1798 and served in that position until 1801. He died in 1805 in London, England.
What were some of the key people in Lord Cornwallis’s life?
Some of the key people in Lord Cornwallis’s life include his father, Charles Cornwallis, 2nd Earl Cornwallis; his mother, Elizabeth Townshend; his wife, Maria Skinner; his son, Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Earl Cornwallis; and his daughter, Elizabeth Cornwallis.
What were some of the key events in the American Revolutionary War?
Some of the key events in the American Revolutionary War include the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Yorktown, and the Treaty of Paris.
What were some of the key people in the American Revolutionary War?
Some of the key people in the American Revolutionary War include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and Patrick Henry.
What was the American Revolutionary War?
The American Revolutionary War was a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, which had declared themselves the independent United States of America. The war lasted from 1775 to 1783 and resulted in the independence of the United States.
What were the causes of the American Revolutionary War?
The causes of the American Revolutionary War are complex and varied. Some of the key causes include the British government’s attempts to tax the colonies without their Consent, the British government’s restrictions on trade, and the British government’s refusal to recognize the colonies’ right to self-government.
What were the results of the American Revolutionary War?
The results of the American Revolutionary War were significant. The war resulted in the independence of the United States, the establishment of a new form of government, and the creation of a new nation. The war also had a profound impact on the course of world history.
Who was the first British Governor-General of India? (A) Warren Hastings (B) Lord Cornwallis (C) Lord Dalhousie (D) Lord Bentinck
Which of the following is not a major event that took place during Lord Cornwallis’s tenure as Governor-General of India? (A) The Third Anglo-Maratha War (B) The Battle Of Plassey (C) The Permanent Settlement (D) The Subsidiary Alliance System
The Permanent Settlement was a system of land revenue collection introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. Under this system, (A) Zamindars were given permanent ownership of the land they collected revenue from. (B) Zamindars were given a fixed annual revenue to pay to the British government. (C) Zamindars were given the right to collect revenue from the peasants who lived on their land. (D) All of the above.
The Subsidiary Alliance System was a system of military alliances between the British East India Company and Indian princely states. Under this system, (A) Indian princely states agreed to provide troops to the British East India Company in exchange for British protection. (B) Indian princely states agreed to pay tribute to the British East India Company in exchange for British protection. (C) Indian princely states agreed to cede territory to the British East India Company in exchange for British protection. (D) All of the above.
Lord Cornwallis was a controversial figure in Indian history. Some historians have praised him for his reforms, while others have criticized him for his role in the expansion of British power in India. Which of the following is a criticism of Lord Cornwallis? (A) He introduced the Permanent Settlement, which led to the impoverishment of many Indian peasants. (B) He introduced the Subsidiary Alliance System, which led to the decline of Indian princely states. (C) He was responsible for the defeat of the Indian forces at the Battle of Plassey. (D) All of the above.