Chapter - 3
THE IMPACT OF THE BRITISH RULE IN
INDIA
I. Fill in
the following blanks with suitable answers:
1. Diwani Adalat in civil court was introduced by ......................
(Warren Hastings)
2.The post of Superintendent of Police was created by …………….
(Lord Cornwallis)
3. The Permanent Zamindari system was introduced in Bengal and
Bihar provinces in ……………………. .(1793 Lord Cornwallis)
4. The Land tax system introduced by Alexander Reed is ……….……… (Ryotwari
System)
5. The British Officer who supported modern education in India is
………………..(William Bentinck)
6. The Regulating Act was implemented in the year………………………
(1773)
II. Discuss
and answer the following questions:
1.
Illustrate the judicial
system formulated through East India Company.
Ans: Two types of courts were established in each district:
‘A Diwani Adalat’ as a civil court. In these civil courts Hindus were dispensed
justice as per the Hindu scriptures and the Muslims as per the Shariyat.
Slowly, the British legal procedures were introduced in the criminal courts.
Civil courts came under the administration of European officers.
Though ‘A Fouzadaari
Adalat’ as a criminal court the criminal courts were under the control of
‘Qajis’, they were functioning under the supervision of European officers.
2.
What are the measures
undertaken at the time of the British in Police system?
Ans: i. The Police are in charge of maintaining the internal law
and order situation.
ii. Lord Cornwallis
implemented the efficient Police System in India for the first time.
iii. He created the new post of Superintendent of Police (SP).
iv. He divided a district into many ‘Stations’ in 1793 and put
every station under a ‘Kotwal’.
v. Similarly he put every village under the care of ‘Chowkidhar’.
vi. ‘Kotwal’ was made accountable for thefts, crimes and other law
violations at village level.
3.
In permanent Zamindari
system the Indian farmers “were born in debt, lived in debt and died in debt”.
How?
Ans: i. Under this system, Zamindar became the land owner. The
Zamindar was expected to pay the agreed land taxes to the company on a set date
every year. He was free to collect any amount of land taxes from the farmers
and could retain the excess money collected.
ii. Both the Zamindar and the Company were benefitted by this system,
but the farmers were the grave sufferers.
iii. The farmers, the farming
labourers suffered due to irregular working opportunities in the farming lands.
iv. They were exploited and had
to lead a life of insecurity.
4.
What were the main
aspects of Ryotwari system?
Ans: i.The Ryotwari System was first implemented in Baramahal
region by Alexander Reed in 1792.
ii.This system was later implemented in Madras and Mysore region
by Thomas Munroe in 1801.
iii.Most of these regions had become part of British Empire by
that time.
iv.Under this system, both the farmer and the company were
directly linked. The tiller of the land was recognized as the owner of the
land.
v.The owner had to pay fifty percent of produce as land tax to the
company government.
vi. The land tax had thirty years tenure. The tax could be
reviewed after this tenure.
5.
What were the effects of
British Land taxes?
Ans: The Impact of British Land Tax system:
1. A new class of Zamindars who exploited the farmers was created.
2. The farmers who were subjected to the exploitation of the
Zamindars, became landless slowly.
3. Land became a commodity. Loans could be raised by mortgaging
the lands.
4. Many Zamindars also had to mortgage their lands in order to pay
the land taxes.
5. The Agriculture sector became commercialized and had to grow
raw materials needed by industries back in England.
6. The money lenders became strong.
6. Make a list of the effects of British Education in India.
Ans: The Impact of British Education in India
1. Indians could develop modernity, secularism, democratic
attitudes and rationality along with Nationalistic ideals.
2. Impetus was received for the local literature and languages.
This facilitated unity in thinking process among the educated class.
3. Periodicals started emerging. These scrutinized the policies
and working of the government which in turn enabled the Indians to have
critical opinions on various issues.
4. New social and religious reformation movements emerged.
5. The thoughts of thinkers like J.S. Mill, Rousseau and
Montesquieu brought fresh thinking in the mind of educated youth of India.
6. The freedom struggles
that were taking place across the globe influenced the Indians also.
7. Indians could understand and appreciate their rich tradition.
7. What were the restrictions
imposed in Regulating Act?
Ans: 1. The Bengal Presidency
gained control over the other two presidencies.
2. The Governor of Bengal became the Governor General of all the
three presidencies.
3. The Governor General was
authorized to direct, exercise control and to supervise
over the other two presidencies.
4. The Bombay and Madras
presidencies could not declare war on anyone or enter
into peace agreements without
prior approval of the Governor General of Bengal
Presidency and the Board of
Directors of the Company.
5. According to this Act, Supreme
Court was established in Calcutta.
6. Lord Warren Hastings become
the first governor general of Bengal
1.
What are the important
features of the Indian government act of 1858?
Ans: 1. The
license of East India Company was cancelled and India was brought under the
direct administration of the Queen.
2. The post of Governor General was changed into ‘Viceroy’.
Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India.
3. A new post called ‘Secretary Of State for India’ was
created in the British government. The secretary was part of British cabinet
and was responsible for the administration of India.
4. A Council of India was created in order to assist the
secretary in the administration. The council had fifteen members.
2.
How does the India
Government Act of 1935 become the base of Indian Constitution?
Ans: i.Most the provisions in the Indian Constitution are based on
this act.
ii.This act allowed the formation of fully responsible government
by Indians.
iii. This act was applicable both to the Indian principalities and
also to the British India regions.
iv. A federal system of Indian Principalities, British governed
regions and dominion states was formed.
3. What are the important features of 1919 Act?
Ans: Act formulated Bi-Cameral legislative body. Lower House and
Upper House were formed.
·
Dyarchy was
allowed at provincial governments.
·
An high
commissioner was appointed for India.
·
Promised to
improve local self-government.
·
Provincial
budget was separated from central budget.
·
‘Separate
Electoral College’ was extended for Muslims, Sikhs, Anglo-Indians and
Europeans.
