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QI Describe briefly social and Administrative reforms of William Bentinck.
Answers
Social Reforms:
William Bentinck is famous for his social reforms in Indian. By the abolition of the systems of ‘Sati’ and human sacrifice he freed the society from two of the worst superstitions. By the suppression of the system of Thugee he freed the people from one of their worst fears. By the end of 1834 Thugee System was completely stopped.
From some remote past the system of sati or the burning of the widow on the funeral pyre of her husband prevailed in the Hindu Society as a deep routed superstition. With deep desire to enjoy heaven as Sati many widows died on the funeral pyre of their husbands willingly.
But in some cases they had also to die against their will in order to escape public criticism. On one side there was the fear of death on the other-side there was the fear of the society. At some places the ignorant relatives forced the widows to die in order to uphold their own social prestige.
Administrative Reforms:
He started the practice of appointing Indians in Company’s service. Cornwallis had stopped appointing Indians in administrative service as he had low opinion about the character, ability and integrity of the Indian people. So he sought to reserve all higher posts for the Europeans.
It offended the Indians very much. But Bentick gave up that policy in order to establish closer contact between the ruler and the ruled. Therefore, Bentick appointed Indians in government service. Now the educated Indians were also appointed to the post of Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector. Thus Bentick took a remarkable step towards the Indianization of the government service.
Bentick had introduced land revenue settlement in the North Western province. Taking ten years to complete, its principle was that of a semi-permanent settlement for thirty years which would both encourage the tenants to make improvements and enable the state to get some of the benefits.
After a proper survey of the land the settlement was made with large land holders, cultivators or village communities according to the locality. Due to this arrangement the revenue of the state increased.