Lord William Bentick (1828-1835)

Lord William Bentick (1828-1835)

Introduction

Lord William Bentinck assumed the office of the Governor- General in 1828. Born in 1774 he commenced his career as a soldier and later at the young age of twenty two he became a Member of Parliament. He was appointed the Governor of Madras in 1803. He supported Sir Thomas Munroe on revenue administration. The Vellore Mutiny of 1806 had resulted in Bentinck’s recall.
However, his appointment again to the higher office as Governor-General shows his real greatness. As Governor-General, Bentinck had initiated an era of progress and reforms. He was undoubtedly the first Governor-General of British India who acted on the dictum that “the welfare of the subject peoples was a main, perhaps the primary, duty of the British in India.

Administrative and Judicial Reforms:

The administrative structure of British India had been given shape by Cornwallis. But since the days of Cornwallis the company had made great advances, and defects in that structure became apparent as it had not kept pace with the advance.
The judicial system especially suffered from the three great evils of “delay, expense and uncertainty”. Calcutta, the nerve centre of administration, had become too distant for the newly acquired territories. Bentinck set his head to the remodelling of the judicial structure ably assisted by Sir Charles Metcalfe, Butterwarth Bayley and Holt Mackenzie.
He abolished the provincial counts of Appeal and Circuit. The duties of the sessions he transferred to the District Judge and established Sadar or chief court of the north-west province to hear appeals from the original courts. These institutional changes removed many of the miseries of the litigant public and helped in the quick disposal of cases.
In reconstituting the administrative mechanism be followed in general the path suggested by Metcalf viz., native functionaries in the first instance in ali departments.
European superintendents’s, uniting the local powers of judicature police and revenue in all their branches, through the district over which they preside; commissioners over them and a Board over them communicate with and subject to the immediate control of the Government.
Accordingly he appointed a Board of Revenue at Allahabad for the N. W. Provinces, appointed Commissioners of Revenue and Circuit; combine the office of collector with that at the District Magistrate with certain judicial power.
In his Administrative Reforms Bentinck combined economy with simplicity and the machinery which he set up, with alternations in minor details, exists to this day.
Another anomaly which he removed was the use of Persian as the court language, a language unknown to the judge as well as the litigants. Bentinck abolished the use of pension and in its place substituted the vernacular. This change greatly benefited the people and enabled them to express their grievances in the language know to them.

Social Reforms

The social reforms of William Bentinck made his name immortal in the history of British India. These include the abolition of Sati, the suppression of Thugs and the prevention of female infanticide.

Abolition of Sati:The practice of sati, the age old custom of burning of widows alive on the funeral pyre of their husbands was prevalent in India from ancient times. This inhuman social custom was very common in northern India more particularly in Bengal. Bentinck was greatly distressed when he received a report of 800 cases of sati in a single year.
He determined to abolish this practice which he considered an offence against natural Justice. Therefore, he became a crusader against it and promulgated his Regulation XVII on 4 December 1829 prohibiting the practice of sati. Those who practiced sati were made liable for punishment by law courts as accessories to the crime. The Regulation was extended to the Madras and Bombay Presidencies in 1830.

Suppression of Thugs: The most commendable measure which Bentinck undertook and which contributed to the material welfare of the people was the suppression of the ‘thugs’. They were hereditary robbers. They went about in small groups of fifty to hundred posing as commercial gangs or pilgrims ‘strangling and robbing peaceful travellers’. They increased in number in central and northern India during the 18th century when Anarchy reigned after the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
A campaign was systematically organised by Colonel Sleeman from 1830 against the thugs. During the course of five years nearly 2000 of them were captured. A greater number of them were exterminated and the rest were transported to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For his role in the suppression of thugs, Sir William Sleeman was known as “Thugee Sleeman”.
Female Infanticide: Female infanticide was one of the horrible and heartless deeds committed even by civilized people. This practice killing female infants was very much prevalent in places like Rajputana, Punjab, Malwa and Cutch. Bentinck took effective steps to prevent the ritual of child sacrifice at Saugar Island in Bengal. He not only prohibited female infanticide but declared them as punishable crime.

Educational Reforms:

Bentick’s great achievement was his intellectual reform. Charter Act of 1813 had provided one lac of rupees annually for the revival and promotion of Education in India. But this Money went on accumulating as no proper arrangement could
Prior to the arrival of Bentick a great controversy was going on regarding the medium of education in the schools and colleges. Was it to be given through the Indian language or through English language? The orientalists led by Heyman Wilson and H.T. Princes expressed their opinion in favour of Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian as the medium of education. The Angliasts led by Sir Charles Trevelyan supported by Indian liberals like Raja Rammohan Ray expressed their views in favour of English Language.
Lord Macauley, the law member of the Council gave a definite shape to the controversy. On his recommendations the decision was taken that the amount which was kept for education should be spent on the education of the Indians and the education be imparted through English medium.
Macauley’s proposals were accepted by Bentick and embodied in a resolution of March 7, 1835, which declared that, “His Lordship in council is of opinion that the great object of the British Government ought to be the promotion of European literature and science among the natives of India and that all the fund appropriated for the purpose of education would be best employed on English education alone.” Schools and colleges were established to provide English education. English language also became the Official Language and it helped the people of India for exchange of ideas.

Estimate of Lord William Bentinck

Bentinck was a “straightforward, honest, upright, benevolent, sensible man”.
His social reforms such as abolition of sati and prevention of child sacrifice eradicated age old evils from Hindu Society.
It is heartwarming to note that “Bentinck acted where others had talked”.
To enforce the regulations regarding the Prohibition of sati, he was prepared to risk his own position. Such courage and straightforwardness were seldom found among the administrators of those days.
His educational reforms heralded a new age in India.

Lord William Bentinck was the Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835. He was a British Whig politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1827 to 1828. Bentinck was born in 1774 into a wealthy and aristocratic family. He was educated at Eton College and the University of Oxford. After graduating from Oxford, Bentinck entered the British Army. He served in the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo. In 1815, Bentinck was elected to the House of Commons. He served in the government of Lord Liverpool as President of the Board of Control for India from 1822 to 1827. In 1827, Bentinck was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He served in this position for only one year. In 1828, Bentinck was appointed Governor-General of India. He served in this position for seven years. During his time as Governor-General, Bentinck implemented a number of reforms in India. He abolished sati, the practice of widow burning. He also introduced a number of educational reforms, including the establishment of the University of Calcutta. Bentinck also introduced a number of Economic Reforms, including the abolition of the salt monopoly. Bentinck died in 1839. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of British India.

Early life

Lord William Bentinck was born on September 14, 1774, in the village of Queen’s Crawley, Sussex, England. He was the eldest son of William Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, and Lady Anne Cavendish-Bentinck. Bentinck was educated at Eton College and the University of Oxford. After graduating from Oxford, Bentinck entered the British Army.

Career in the British Army

Bentinck served in the British Army from 1793 to 1815. He saw action in the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo. In 1815, Bentinck was appointed Governor of Madras. He served in this position until 1822.

Governor-General of India

In 1827, Bentinck was appointed Governor-General of India. He served in this position from 1828 to 1835. During his time as Governor-General, Bentinck implemented a number of reforms in India. He abolished sati, the practice of widow burning. He also introduced a number of educational reforms, including the establishment of the University of Calcutta. Bentinck also introduced a number of economic reforms, including the abolition of the salt monopoly.

Death and legacy

Bentinck died on June 23, 1839, in Paris, France. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of British India.

Reforms in India

Bentinck’s reforms in India were wide-ranging and had a significant impact on the country. Some of his most important reforms included:

The abolition of sati, the practice of widow burning.
The introduction of a number of educational reforms, including the establishment of the University of Calcutta.
The introduction of a number of economic reforms, including the abolition of the salt monopoly.

Bentinck’s reforms were met with mixed reactions. Some Indians welcomed them, while others opposed them. However, there is no doubt that Bentinck’s reforms had a significant impact on India. They helped to modernize the country and improve the lives of its people.

Death and legacy

Bentinck died on June 23, 1839, in Paris, France. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of British India. His reforms helped to modernize the country and improve the lives of its people.

Who was Lord William Bentinck?

Lord William Bentinck was a British statesman who served as Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835. He is best known for his reforms, which included the abolition of sati (widow burning), the introduction of Western education, and the establishment of a judicial system based on English law.

What were Lord William Bentinck’s reforms?

Lord William Bentinck’s reforms were a series of changes that he introduced during his time as Governor-General of India. These reforms included the abolition of sati (widow burning), the introduction of Western education, and the establishment of a judicial system based on English law.

Why did Lord William Bentinck abolish sati?

Lord William Bentinck abolished sati because he believed it to be a barbaric practice. He also believed that it was harmful to Women and to society as a whole.

What was the impact of Lord William Bentinck’s reforms?

Lord William Bentinck’s reforms had a significant impact on India. They helped to improve the lives of many Indians, and they also helped to modernize the country.

What were the challenges that Lord William Bentinck faced as Governor-General of India?

Lord William Bentinck faced a number of challenges as Governor-General of India. These challenges included the opposition of conservative Indians, the lack of Resources, and the outbreak of the First Anglo-Burmese War.

How did Lord William Bentinck overcome these challenges?

Lord William Bentinck was able to overcome these challenges through his determination, his intelligence, and his ability to build alliances. He was also able to use his position as Governor-General to bring about positive change in India.

What was Lord William Bentinck’s legacy?

Lord William Bentinck is remembered as one of the most important figures in Indian history. His reforms helped to improve the lives of many Indians, and they also helped to modernize the country. He is also remembered for his opposition to sati and for his efforts to promote education and religious Tolerance.

Who was the first Governor-General of India?
(A) Lord William Bentick
(B) Warren Hastings
(C) Lord Cornwallis
(D) Lord Dalhousie
Which of the following was not a major reform introduced by Lord William Bentick?
(A) Abolition of sati
(B) Abolition of thuggee
(C) Introduction of English education
(D) Introduction of the Indian Penal Code
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was also known as the:
(A) Sepoy Mutiny
(B) First War of Independence
(C) Indian Mutiny
(D) Indian War of Independence
Who was the last Mughal emperor?
(A) Bahadur Shah Zafar
(B) Aurangzeb
(C) Shah Jahan
(D) Akbar
The Indian National Congress was founded in the year:
(A) 1885
(B) 1857
(C) 1828
(D) 1835
Who was the first president of the Indian National Congress?
(A) Dadabhai Naoroji
(B) Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee
(C) Surendranath Banerjee
(D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
The Swadeshi movement was started in the year:
(A) 1905
(B) 1906
(C) 1907
(D) 1908
Who was the founder of the Arya Samaj?
(A) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
(B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(C) Keshab Chandra Sen
(D) Vivekananda
The partition of Bengal was announced in the year:
(A) 1905
(B) 1906
(C) 1907
(D) 1908
The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in the year:
(A) 1919
(B) 1920
(C) 1921
(D) 1922
Who was the leader of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Subhash Chandra Bose
(D) Vallabhbhai Patel
The Salt March was also known as the:
(A) Dandi March
(B) Salt Satyagraha
(C) Salt March to Dandi
(D) Salt March to Gandhinagar
The Quit India Movement was launched in the year:
(A) 1942
(B) 1943
(C) 1944
(D) 1945
Who was the leader of the Quit India Movement?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Subhash Chandra Bose
(D) Vallabhbhai Patel
India gained independence from British rule on the date of:
(A) August 15, 1947
(B) August 16, 1947
(C) August 17, 1947
(D) August 18, 1947