Modern Indian History Flashcards
Includes Economy, Freedom Struggle, Newspapers,
Which committee recommended the establishment of RBI in 1935?
The Hilton Young Committee
Who was involved in the Battle of Plassey (1757)? What were the causes?
Robert Clive+ Mir Jafar v. Nawab Siraj Ud Daulah
Causes: Misuse of Dastaks, Farruksiyar’s Farman of 1717, Blackhole Tragedy of 1756
Who was involved in the Battle of Buxar (1764)? What was the treaty signed at the end?
EIC (Major Hector Munroe) v. Shujah-Ud-Daulah (Awadh) + Shah Alam (Mughal Emperor) + Siraj-Ud-Daulah (Bengal)
Treaty of Allahabad/Awadh - Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to EIC, English Resident in Awadh, War Indemnity
Describe the British Dual Government in Bengal (1765-72) - How did it lead to the Great Famine of 1770-73?
EIC (ROBERT CLIVE) has authority without responsibility- Subehdar appointed by EIC who took over all administration
Nawab has all responsibility, no authority.
Ended by WARREN HASTINGS
What were the FIVE main features of the Regulating Act of 1773?
Who was installed as the first Governor General of Bengal under this Act?
- British Govt involvement
- Governor General of Bengal answerable to Court of Directors
- Unity of Command by Madras and Bombay answerable to Gov Gen of Bengal
- Governor Gen in Council - Legislative function
- Supreme Court at Calcutta
WARREN HASTINGS (GGB)
What were THREE main Limitations of the Regulating Act of 1773?
- Opposition of Council creates Deadlocks
- Inefficient Judicial system not based on clearly defined principles
- Ineffective mechanisms to control Madras and Bombay; failed to cooperate with GGB
Describe the Warren Hastings’ FIVE YEAR SETTLEMENT System (1772)
- Revenue Collection system where the govt collects Bids for revenue
- Similar to IJARADARI system of ZULFIKAR KHAN
- Officials used proxies to bid; causes failure of the system
What were the 3 main features of Warren Hastings’ Judicial System?
- Judicial powers of Zamindars Abolished
- DISTRICT LEVEL - Diwani Adalat (CIVIL) & Faujdari Adalat (CRIMINAL) - used Muslim law enforced by Qazis and Mullahs
- PROVINCIAL - Sadar Diwani & Sadar Nizamat Adalt
First CJ of Supreme Court
ELIJAH IMPEY
Who established the ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL?
WARREN HASTINGS in 1784
Translation of Gita into English in 1785
What were the FOUR main features of the Pitts India Act of 1784?
- Created BOARD OF CONTROL
- Indian Territories are now BRITISH POSSESSIONS
- Madras and Bombay subordinated to Bengal
- British Govt has the RIGHT TO RECALL EIC officers
What were the Civil Service and Police Reforms introduced by Cornwallis (1786-93)?
- Cornwallis Act gives him the Power to override Council, Commander-in-Chief of Army
- Civil Services Reforms:
separation of powers, increased salaries, structured into regular appointments, control of bribery - Police Reforms:
Abolished law and order powers of Zamindars; replaced them with a police force headed by DAROGHA
What were the JUDICIAL reforms introduced by Cornwallis (1786-93)?
- Creation of Circuit Courts & Diwani Courts;
- Post of District Judges
- Replacement of torture with Rigorous imprisonment
- GGB given the power to commute sentences
- ## Principles of EQUALITY & JUSTICE; SECULAR LAWS
What were the FOUR main principles of the Cornwallis Code?
- Sovereignty of Law
- Revenue and Justice segregated
- Govt Officials are accountable
- Codification of Hindu & Muslim personal laws
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT SYSTEM (1793) introduced by?
CORNWALLIS AND JOHN SHORE
Describe the PERMANENT SETTLEMENT SYSTEM (1793) introduced by
CORNWALLIS AND JOHN SHORE
Zamindars recognized as OWNERS of land and fixed the land revenue perpetually
Right to evict farmer (tenant)
BENGAL, BIHAR, ORISSA, EAST UP & NORTH TN - 19% of British India
What was the main achievement of RICHARD WELLESLEY (1799-1805)?
- Avowed Imperialist - Policy of War, More War and Further Wars
- Introduced SUBSIDIARY ALLIANCE
Who established the Fort William College in Calcutta (1800)?
RICHARD WELLESLEY as a language training center for British Civil Servants
What are the TWO main features of the Charter Act of 1793?
- More powers to GGB
- EIC given right to issue LICENCES to certain officials for PRIVILEGE/COUNTRY TRADE
What are the TWO main features of the Charter Act of 1813?
Context: Industrial Revolution in Britain, Napoleon’s Continental System
- Introduction of Christian Missionaries
- End of EIC monopoly (except Tea and China)
What are the SIX Main features of the Charter Act of 1833 (St. Helena Act)?
- End of EIC commercial activities
- GGB becomes Governor General of India (WILLIAM BENTINCK)
- Centralization of Power (Marathas have been defeated)
- Bombay and Madras - no more legislative powers. All in Bengal.
- Creates LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA - LORD MACAULAY (First law member in GG Council)
- Indians in Civil Service proposed
Who was the First law member in GG Council?
MACAULAY
What are the SIX main features of the Charter Act of 1853?
- No limit for Company Rights
- Sindh and Punjab Provinces added
- Expansion of Gov Gen Executive council
- Legislative Council is created (12 members: GG, Commander in Chief, 4 Members of Exec Council, CJ of SC, 1 Regular judge of SC, 4 company servants)
- Local representation in Legislative Council (ILC)
- Open Competition for Indian Civil Services - Indians allowed
Who introduced the Charter Act of 1853?
DALHOUSIE