Introduction
Lord Cornwallis served as the Governor-General of India from 1786 to 1793. He is best known for introducing the Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793) and major administrative, military, and judicial reforms. His policies laid the foundation for British rule in India.
Early Life & Background
- Born in 1738 in England.
- Served in the American War of Independence (1775-1783), where he was defeated at Yorktown (1781).
- Appointed Governor-General of India in 1786.
Major Reforms & Policies
1️⃣ Land Revenue Reforms
Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793)
- Introduced a fixed land revenue system where Zamindars were made hereditary landowners.
- Provided stable revenue for the British but led to peasant exploitation and agricultural stagnation.
- Applied in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
2️⃣ Judicial Reforms
- Established a hierarchical court system:
- Sadar Diwani Adalat (civil cases) & Sadar Nizamat Adalat (criminal cases) at the top.
- District Courts at the lower level.
- Separated executive and judicial powers, reducing the authority of district collectors in legal matters.
- Introduced European model of justice but restricted higher posts in the judiciary to the British.
3️⃣ Administrative Reforms
- Introduced civil services (Cornwallis Code, 1793) to reduce corruption.
- Banned private trade for officials and increased their salaries to reduce bribery.
- Introduced district administration system, strengthening British governance.
4️⃣ Military Reforms
- Strengthened British Army and reduced dependence on Indian soldiers.
- Abolished the practice of dual administration, making military control more centralized.
- Increased European recruitment in high-ranking military positions.
5️⃣ Wars & Conflicts
Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792)
- Fought against Tipu Sultan of Mysore.
- British, along with the Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad, defeated Tipu Sultan.
- Treaty of Seringapatam (1792):
- Tipu lost half of his territory to the British and allies.
- Forced to pay a war indemnity of 3.3 crore rupees.
Later Life & Death
- Returned to England in 1793 after completing his term.
- Reappointed as Governor-General in 1805, but died soon after arriving in India.
Legacy & Importance
✅ Laid the foundation for British land revenue policies in India.
✅ Introduced major judicial and administrative reforms that lasted for decades.
✅ Strengthened the British military position in India.
❌ His Permanent Settlement policy led to Zamindari exploitation and economic decline in rural areas.
Objective Questions (MCQs)
- Which revenue system was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793?
a) Ryotwari System
b) Mahalwari System
c) Permanent Settlement
d) Subsidiary Alliance
✅ Answer: c) Permanent Settlement - Which war did Lord Cornwallis fight against Tipu Sultan?
a) First Anglo-Mysore War
b) Second Anglo-Mysore War
c) Third Anglo-Mysore War
d) Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
✅ Answer: c) Third Anglo-Mysore War - What was the result of the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792)?
a) Tipu Sultan won the war
b) Tipu lost half of his territory
c) British left Mysore
d) Marathas gained Bengal
✅ Answer: b) Tipu lost half of his territory - Which of the following was a part of Lord Cornwallis’s judicial reforms?
a) Introduction of the Supreme Court in India
b) Separation of executive and judiciary
c) Appointment of Indian judges in higher courts
d) Removal of all European judges
✅ Answer: b) Separation of executive and judiciary - Why did Lord Cornwallis increase the salaries of British officials?
a) To attract more Indian officials
b) To reduce corruption and bribery
c) To promote local employment
d) To encourage private trade
✅ Answer: b) To reduce corruption and bribery
Subjective Questions
- What were the key reforms introduced by Lord Cornwallis in India?
- Discuss the causes and consequences of the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92).
- Explain the judicial reforms of Lord Cornwallis.
- What were the merits and demerits of the Permanent Settlement of Bengal?
- Analyze the impact of Cornwallis’s administrative policies on British India.
Conclusion
Lord Cornwallis was a pivotal figure in shaping British rule in India. His Permanent Settlement policy and judicial & administrative reforms left a lasting impact on India’s governance. However, his revenue policies also led to rural economic distress.
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