Question

Mention any two demerits of 'Dual Administration' set up by Robert Clive in Bengal.

Answer 1

Dual Administration :-

The Dual Administration of the Bengal was the double system of administration, which was introduced by Robert Clive. The British East India Company obtained the actual power, where as the responsibility and the charge of administration was entrusted to the Nawab of Bengal. Under this dual system of governance, the British administration acquired both the functions of the 'Diwani' or 'Revenue' and 'Nizamat' or 'Civil Administration' of Bengal from two distinct sources, Diwani from the Mughal Emperor and Nizamat from the Nawab of Bengal. The British East India Company was authorized to accumulate revenue of the Bengal province as the Diwan. Moreover with the right to appoint the Deputy Subahdar, the British obtained the designation to control the police and judicial powers. 

The Nawab granted practically the the Nizamat to the Company in 1765. The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam granted Diwani to the English Company in August 1765. Such was the dual system of administration set up in Bengal by Robert Clive.

Demirts of Dual Administration -

1) The Dual System of Administration set up by Robert Clive led to disastrous results. The administration in Bengal was almost collapsed. The British were in possession of power and money where as the Nawab had neither power nor money. The Nawab failed to manage the administration smoothly with a small annual grant of rupees fifty lakhs. The Nawab could not do any work of public utility due to paucity of funds. The Nawab had no power to enforce law. As a result lawlessness prevailed in most parts of Bengal. The cases of robbery and theft increased. The common people had to suffer to such an extent that they preferred even to leave their home. 

2) The condition of agriculture in Bengal gradually deteriorated under the Dual System of Administration of Clive. The power of collecting revenue rested in the hands of the Company only. The Nawab of Bengal failed to advance loans to the needy farmers due to the shortage of funds. Thus, the poor farmers suffered a lot.

3) People failed to get proper justice under the Dual System of Administration. The judges of the Nawab were influenced by the British Authority, because the latter played vital role in the appointment of judges. Thus, the judges failed to give impartial verdicts which was detrimental to the interests of the public.