estimate the reforms of lord dalhousie
Answers
Answer:
Dalhousie’s territorial acquisition transformed the map of India. He was not only a conqueror but also a great administrator. The appointment of a lieutenant governor to Bengal enabled Dalhousie . concentrate on administration. His greatest achievement was the molding of the new provinces into a modern centralized state.
For the newly acquired territories, he introduced the centralized control called “Non-Regulation system” under this system a commissioner was appointed for a newly acquired territory. Under military reforms Dalhousie shifted the headquarters of Bengal Artillery from Calcutta to Meerut. Simla was made the permanent headquarters of the army.
Railways:
The introduction railways in India inaugurated a new economic era. There were three major reasons for the British to take interest in its quick development. The first reason was commercial. The second main reason was administrative. The third reason was defense. At the time of revolt and disturbance, movement of the forces Was much easier through railways. Lord Dalhousie’s contribution in the development of railways is worth commending.
In 1853, he penned his Railway minute formulating the future policy of railways in India. He started the “guarantee system” by which the railway companies were guaranteed a minimum interest of five percent on their investment.
Telegraph:
Similarly, the use of telegraph brought marvelous changes in communication system. In India, Lord Dalhousie’s contribution in this respect is commendable. In 1852, O. Shaughnessy was appointed the Superintendent of Telegraph Department. Main cities of the country viz., Calcutta, Peshawar Bombay and Madras were telegraphically connected. About 4000 miles long Telegraph lines were laid before the departure of Dalhousie.
During the 1857 Revolt, the system of telegraphic communication provided a boon for the English and the military value of Dalhousie creation was muchr realized at that time. .
Postal Reform:
The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by Lord Dalhousie. A new post office act was passed in 1854. Consequently, irrespective of the distance over which the latter was sent, a uniform rate of half an anna per post-card was charged throughout India. Postage stamps were introduced for the first time.
Education:
Dalhousie had also evinced in the development of education. The educational Dispatch of Sir Charles Wood (1854) was considered the “Intellectual charter of India”. It provided an outline for the comprehensive scheme of education at primary, secondary and collegiate levels. Dalhousie fully accepted the views of Charles Wood and took steps to carry out the new scheme. Departments of public instructions were organized. The universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras Were founded in 1857.
****Public works department: ***
Before the period of Dalhousie, the job of the public works department was done by the, military board. Dalhousie created a separate public works department and allotted more funds for cutting canals and roads. The upper Ganges canal was completed in 1854. Many bridges were constructed. By modernizing the public works department he laid the foundations of the engineering service in India.
Explanation:
Administrative Reforms:
Dalhousie’s chief aim was the consolidation of British rule in India. So he adopted the principle of centralization. For the newly acquired territories he devised the ‘Non-Regulation System” under which commissioners were appointed to deal with the administrative problems.
They were made responsible to the Governor-General in the Council. He handed over all other powers relating to justice, police, and land revenue to the District Magistrates. Dalhousie also made provision for the appointment of a Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. By the Parliamentary Act of 1853, the Governor-General was relieved of his functions as the governor of Bengal.
Military Reforms:
After the conquest of Punjab, Sindh and Avadh, the frontiers of the company were extended and the military interest of India was transferred to the North. Thus Dalhousie shifted the headquarters of the Bengal Artillery from Calcutta to Meerut. The army head-quarter was also transferred to Shimla so that the army could remain is touch with Governor-General who resided is Shimla.
Dalhousie also ordered for the general movement of troops from around Calcutta and from the lower provinces of Bengal towards the west. He could clearly foresee that the future safety of India depended upon the numerical strength of the army and on the maintenance of balance between British and Indian forces.
Railway Reforms:
Dalhousie introduced a new system of internal communication in India. He was the father of Indian Railways.
He envisaged a network of railways connecting the main places with the ports and providing both for strategically needs and commercial development. The first railway line connecting Bombay with Thane was laid down in 1853. It covered a distance of twenty-six miles.
The Electric Telegraph:
In 1852 Dalhousie introduced the Electric Telegraph System in India. The first telegraph line from Calcutta to Agra was opened in 1854, covering a distance of 800 miles. By 1857, it was extended to Lahore and Peshawar. In Burma a line was laid down from Rangoon to Mandalay. People could send message from one place to another place very easily by this telegraph system.
Postal Reforms:
A postal Department was established for the whole country. As a result of these reforms the post offices became the sources of revenue of the government. The people were benefited by the modern postal system.
Public Works Department:
Before Lord Dalhousie, military boards were in charge of the construction of Public Works. Hence Civilian works were completely neglected by the military board. A separate Public Works Department was established by Lord Dalhousie. The Chief Works of this department was to construct roads, bridges and government buildings. The chief Engineer, other highly trained engineers were brought from England to supervise the work of construction. Irrigational works were undertaken on an extensive scale.
The construction of Ganges Canal was completed and was inaugurated on April 8, 1854. Many bridges and canals were constructed and also the construction of Grand Trunk Road was taken up. Dalhousie’s special contribution was the construction of an engineering college at Roorkee and in other presidencies. He thus ranks as the father of technical education as distinct from professional education in India.
Social Reforms:
Dalhousie abolished female infanticide which was prevalent among the Rajputs of higher castes. He also abolished the practice of human sacrifice practiced by the khonds of Orissa, Madras and Central Provinces who had blind belief that the fertility of the soil would be increased by sacrificing human beings. By that time it was in practice that if any person became a convert, he was deprived of his ancestral property.
Commercial Reforms:
Dalhousie followed the policy of free trade. Dr. Ishwari Prasad writes, “Dalhousie’s commercial reforms were designed to throw open the produce and market of India to the exploitation of English Capital.” All ports of India were declared free. The harbours of Karachi, Bombay and Calcutta were developed and light houses were also constructed. All the sea-trade was captured by the English merchants who had power and resources. The commercial reforms of Dalhousie spoiled the Indian trade and economic conditions of Indians became miserable.
Educational Reforms:
Lord Dalhousie had introduced a number of reforms in the field of education. The Government did not take any step for the promotion of vernacular education. In 1854 Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control sent his recommendations known as “Wood’s Despatch of 1854” to India reorganizing the whole structure of education.