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× #1 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #2 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #3 Vedic Civilization: Evolution of Society and Thought in Ancient India #4 Mahajanapadas and the Rise of Kingdoms in Ancient India #5 The Rise of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya #6 Emperor Ashoka and the Spread of Buddhism #7 Decline of the Mauryan Empire #8 The Rise of the Shunga Dynasty and the Brahmanical Revival #9 The Satavahana Dynasty – Bridging North and South India #10 The Indo-Greek and Kushan Invasions – Crossroads of Cultures #11 The Sangam Age – Literature, Trade, and Tamilakam’s Golden Past #12 Mauryan Empire – Political Centralization and Ashoka’s Dhamma #13 Post-Mauryan Age – Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushans, and Cultural Exchanges #14 The Rise and Achievements of the Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE) #15 Post-Gupta Period and the Rise of Regional Kingdoms (c. 550–750 CE) #16 Pallavas and Chalukyas: South India’s Classical Kingdoms (c. 6th–8th Century CE) #17 Rashtrakutas and Their Contributions to Art and Empire (c. 8th–10th Century CE) #18 Pandyas and Cheras: Southern Trade and Cultural Flourishing (c. 6th Century BCE – 13th Century CE) #19 The Rise of the Maurya Empire and the Role of Chandragupta Maurya #20 The Reign of Bindusara – Consolidation and Expansion of the Maurya Empire #21 Foundation and Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate #22 Alauddin Khalji’s Market Reforms and Military Expansion #23 Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s Ambitious Experiments and Their Consequences #24 Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Welfare State and Religious Orthodoxy #25 Rise of the Vijayanagara Empire: Foundation, Expansion, and Administration #26 Bahmani Sultanate: Origin, Administration, and Cultural Contributions #27 Delhi Sultanate under the Tughlaq Dynasty: Reforms, Failures, and Legacy #28 Vijayanagara Empire: Rise, Administration, Culture, and Downfall #29 Bahmani Kingdom: Origin, Culture, and Struggle with Vijayanagara #30 Delhi Sultanate in the South: Influence on the Deccan #31 Krishna Deva Raya: The Philosopher King and His Administration #32 Battle of Talikota (1565) and the Decline of the Vijayanagara Empire #33 Mughal Empire: Rise under Babur and Humayun #34 Akbar the Great: Expansion and Consolidation of the Mughal Empire #35 Jahangir and Shah Jahan: Continuity, Culture, and the Peak of Mughal Aesthetics #36 Aurangzeb: Orthodoxy, Expansion, and the Seeds of Decline #37 Later Mughals and the Decline of the Empire (1707–1857) #38 The Maratha Confederacy: Rise, Expansion, and Conflicts with the Mughals and British #39 The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh #40 Bhakti and Sufi Movements: Spiritual Awakening in Medieval India #41 Mughal Administration: Centralization, Mansabdari, and Provincial Governance #42 Rise of the Marathas: Shivaji, Administration, and Expansion #43 Peshwa Administration and the Expansion of Maratha Power in North India #44 Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Causes, Course, and Consequences #45 Decline of the Mughal Empire: Internal Weaknesses and External Pressures #46 Establishment of British Power in India: From Trading Company to Political Empire #47 The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Events, and Consequences #48 Social Reform Movements in 19th Century India: Bridging Tradition and Modernity #49 Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885): The Birth of Political Awakening in India #50 Partition of Bengal (1905): Divide and Rule Strategy and the Rise of Extremist Nationalism #51 The Surat Split (1907): Clash of Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress #52 The Home Rule Movement (1916): Laying the Foundation for Self-Governance #53 The Lucknow Pact (1916): A Rare Moment of Hindu-Muslim Unity #54 The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act, 1919: A Step Forward or a Tactical Delay? #55 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Gandhi’s Mass Awakening of India #56 Simon Commission and Nehru Report (1927–28): Rejection, Resistance, and the Quest for Dominion Status #57 Lahore Session of 1929 and the Demand for Purna Swaraj: The Tricolour of Defiance #58 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34): Salt, Satyagraha, and the Spirit of Rebellion #59 Round Table Conferences (1930–1932): Dialogues Amidst Dissonance #60 Government of India Act 1935: The Last Colonial Blueprint #61 Quit India Movement (1942): A Call for “Do or Die” #62 Indian National Army and Subhas Chandra Bose: The Armed Resistance Against Empire #63 The Royal Indian Navy Revolt (1946): Mutiny That Rocked the Empire #64 The Mountbatten Plan and the Partition of India (1947): Final Steps to Freedom #65 Integration of Princely States and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Role: The Iron Man’s Mission to Unite India #66 Formation and Adoption of the Indian Constitution: The Framing of a Republic #67 Nagara style of Temple Architecture and its regional variations #68 Dravida Style of Temple Architecture and Its Features #69 The Legacy and Philosophy of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati #70 The Arya Samaj Movement and Its Impact on Indian Society #71 India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the UNESCO list #72 Tribal Art and Culture of India: Warli, Gond, and Santhal Traditions #73 The syncretic nature of Sufi and Bhakti movements in promoting social harmony #74 Contributions of ancient India to Science and Mathematics (e.g., metallurgy, astronomy) #75 Development of Rock-Cut Architecture from Mauryan caves to Pallava Rathas #76 Maritime history of ancient and medieval India: Trade, cultural exchange, and naval power #77 The role and status of women in the Vedic and post-Vedic periods #78 The influence of Buddhist art and philosophy on Southeast Asian culture #79 Raja Ram Mohan Roy #80 Swami Vivekananda #81 Swami Dayananda Saraswati #82 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar #83 Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa #84 Rani Lakshmibai: The Warrior Queen of Jhansi #85 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The Architect of Modern India's Social Justice #86 Jyotirao Phule: The Pioneer of Social Reform and Education in Modern India #87 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Moderate Reformer and Mentor of Gandhi #88 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: The Father of Indian Unrest and the Awakening of National Consciousness #89 Annie Besant: The Theosophist, Reformer, and Catalyst for Indian Nationalism #90 Dadabhai Naoroji: The Grand Old Man of India and the Architect of Economic Nationalism #91 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Liberal Reformer and Mentor of Mahatma Gandhi #92 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Father of Indian Unrest and Champion of Swaraj #93 Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Who Lit the Flame of Freedom #94 Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab and a Voice of Assertive Nationalism #95 Robert Clive (1754-1767) #96 Warren Hastings (1772–1785): The First Governor-General of India #97 Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793): Reformer of British Administration in India #98 Lord Wellesley (1798–1805): Architect of British Supremacy through Subsidiary Alliance #99 Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore and the Struggle Against British Colonialism #100 DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SERVICES #101 Champaran Satyagraha

HISTORY

Introduction

After Warren Hastings’ eventful and controversial governance, the British Crown sought a trustworthy and capable administrator to bring stability and reform. They appointed Charles Cornwallis, a distinguished military commander and aristocrat, who had earlier served in the American Revolutionary War. Though defeated in America at Yorktown (1781), his administrative capabilities were valued. In India, Cornwallis undertook key reforms that would define British rule for decades, balancing central authority, legal uniformity, and land revenue policy.

Early Background and Appointment

  • Born in 1738 into an English aristocratic family.

  • Educated at Eton and a military academy in Turin.

  • Fought in the Seven Years' War and American Revolutionary War.

  • After his return from America, he was appointed Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in India in 1786.

Major Administrative and Judicial Reforms

1. Cornwallis Code (1793)

  • A comprehensive set of regulations and reforms aimed at making governance more systematic.

  • Introduced separation of powers between judiciary and executive.

  • Judges and collectors were to function independently.

  • Europeanization of the civil service: Only Britishers were allowed in higher administrative roles.

2. Judicial Reforms

  • Established civil and criminal courts at the district and provincial levels.

  • Set up Sadar Diwani Adalat (civil court) and Sadar Nizamat Adalat (criminal court) in Calcutta.

  • Appointed British judges, replacing Indian officials in high courts.

  • Laws were codified and made more uniform.

3. Civil Services and Anti-Corruption Measures

  • Implemented strict rules for Company officials.

  • Salaries of officers were increased to reduce corruption.

  • Company servants were prohibited from engaging in private trade or accepting gifts.

Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793)

Background

  • The East India Company faced revenue uncertainty due to fluctuating agricultural output and inefficient collection systems.

Key Features

  • Zamindars were recognized as hereditary landowners.

  • They were required to pay a fixed land revenue to the Company.

  • If they failed, their lands could be auctioned off.

  • Settlement was permanent, meaning revenue demand would not be increased later.

Objectives

  • Ensure stable income for the Company.

  • Encourage investment in agriculture by giving Zamindars ownership.

Consequences

  • While it ensured fixed revenue, it led to exploitation of peasants.

  • Zamindars became absentee landlords in many cases.

  • Agricultural productivity stagnated in some regions due to lack of incentives for tenants.

Military Campaigns

Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–1792)

  • Cornwallis personally led British forces against Tipu Sultan.

  • Allied with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad.

  • Resulted in Treaty of Seringapatam (1792):

    • Tipu ceded half of his territory to the British and allies.

    • Delivered two of his sons as hostages to the British.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Positive Contributions

  • Laid the foundation for a professional and centralized bureaucracy.

  • Streamlined judiciary with uniform procedures and codified laws.

  • Introduced discipline and structure in revenue collection.

  • Sought to reduce corruption and make governance more ethical.

Criticism

  • Racial discrimination in civil services—Indians were excluded from higher posts.

  • The Permanent Settlement led to rural distress and Zamindari exploitation.

  • Excessive reliance on British personnel undermined Indian institutions and talent.

Later Life and Death

  • Returned to Britain in 1793 after completing his tenure.

  • Briefly sent back to India in 1805 as Governor-General again, but died within a few months.

  • Buried in Ghaziabad, near Delhi.

Conclusion

Lord Cornwallis' era (1786–1793) was transformative for the British East India Company’s rule in India. He implemented systematic administrative reforms, curbed corruption, and established a judicial system that remained in use for decades. His introduction of the Permanent Settlement had far-reaching consequences—both good and bad.

While Cornwallis was an earnest reformer, his approach reflected the colonial mindset of the time—centralized control, distrust of Indian talent, and a strong emphasis on British legal and bureaucratic frameworks. Nevertheless, he remains one of the most impactful figures in the early phase of British rule, shaping the colonial administrative legacy that would define India’s governance for the next 150 years.