Important Governor Generals Before 1857

Warren Lord Lord Lord Lord

Hasting Cornwallis Wellesley William Dalhousie
Bentick
ROBERT CLIVE – GOVERNOR OF BENGAL (1765-1766)
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY
BENGAL PRESIDENCY
MADRAS PRESIDENCY
Governor generals of East India Company
 HISTORY OF PRESS IN INDIA
(PRESS ACTS PASSED BEFORE 1857)
 The Arrival of the Printing Press in India

• The first printing press of India was set up in 1556 at St. Paul’s
College, Goa.
• In a letter to St. Ignatius of Loyola, dated 30 April 1556, Father Gasper
Caleza spoke of a ship carrying a printing press to sail from Portugal to
Abyssinia (current-day Ethiopia) to promote missionary work in
Abyssinia.
 Publication of First Books in India

• Conclusiones Philosophicas was the first published book.

• One year later, five years after the death of its poet, St. Francis Xavier,
the printing press published its second book, Catecismo da Doctrina
Christã.
• Later it Published Jesuits of Goa & a work on Medicinal herbs of
India.
 1ST NEWSPAPER IN INDIA

• 1780: James Augustus Hickey started ‘The Bengal Gazette’ also

known as ‘Calcutta General advertiser’.
• This was the first newspaper published in India which was later
stopped because it carried critical articles against the company.
 CENSORSHIP OF PRESS ACT 1799

• 1799: Governor-General Richard Wellesley enacted the Censorship

of Press Act, 1799 to stop the French from publishing anything
against the British.
• This act brought all the newspapers under Government scrutiny
before their publication.
• This act was later extended in 1807 and covered all kinds of Press
Publications newspapers, magazines, books, and Pamphlets.
• The rules were relaxed in 1818 when Francis Hastings (1813-1823)
assumed office.
 ADAM’S PRESS ACT 0F 1823

• 1823: Licensing Regulation ordinance was brought out by acting

Governor-General John Adams.
• This regulation made press without a license a penal offence. The
restriction was directed mainly at Indian-language newspapers or
those edited by the Indians.
• This caused Raja Ram Mohun Roy to repeal his Persian journal
‘Mirat-ul-akhbar’ started in 1822.
• 1824: Raja Ram Mohun Roy protested against the restriction on
freedom of the press.
 LIBERATION OF INDIAN PRESS ACT OR METCALFE’S PRESS
ACT 1835

• 1835: Press act or Metcalfe act, repealed the Licensing regulations

of 1823. Gov.Gen. Metcalfe came to be known as the ‘liberator of
the press’ in India.
• The act required a printer/publisher to give a precise account of the
premises of a publication and cease functioning if required by a
similar declaration.
• The result of a liberal press policy was the rapid growth of
newspapers.
 LISCENCING ACT OF 1857

• 1857: Licensing act was enacted by Gov. Gen Canning (later Viceroy
in 1858) after the Revolt of 1857 to impose stricter restrictions on
the press.
• The right to stop the publication and circulation of any book,
newspaper or printed matter was reserved with the Government.
 Historical Background of civil services in India

• During the British raj, Warren Hastings laid the foundation of civil
service and Charles Cornwallis reformed, modernised, and
rationalised it.
• Hence, Charles Cornwallis is known as 'the Father of civil service in
India'.
• Cornwallis introduced two divisions of the Indian Civil service—
covenanted and uncovenanted.
• The covenanted civil service consisted of only Europeans (i.e.,
British personnel) occupying the higher posts in the government.
• The uncovenanted civil service was solely introduced to facilitate the
entry of Indians at the lower rung of the administration.
Historical Background of civil services in India

• In 1854, the Macaulay Committee recommended that appointment to the

service based on the company’s patronage be stopped and a merit-based
system be established.
• Post-1855, recruitment to the ICS was based on merit only through
a competitive examination. It was restricted to Indians.
• (Macaulay Committee was formed under the provisions of Indian Charter
Act 1853.)
• In 1886, the Aitchison Commission chaired by Sir Charles Umpherston
Aitchison recommended that Indians also get employed in public service.
Historical Background of civil services in India

• A Civil Service Commission was setup in 1854 in London and competitive

examinations were started in 1855.
• Initially, the examinations for Indian Civil Service were conducted only in London.
• Maximum age was 23 years and minimum age was 18 years.
• The syllabus was designed such that European Classics had a predominant share
of marks.
• All this made it difficult for Indian candidates.
• Nevertheless, in 1864, the first Indian, Shri Satyendranath Tagore brother of Shri
Rabindaranath Tagore succeeded.
• Three years later 4 other Indians succeeded.
 Historical Background of civil services in India

• The epochal event took place in 1864 when the first

Indian, Satyendra Nath Tagore, qualified for the Indian
Civil Service (ICS).
• Immediately, the marks of Arabic and Sanskrit papers,
which had been increased in 1860, were reduced back
to 375 from 500.
• The maximum age was further reduced to 21 from 22
making it more difficult for Indians to compete.
• Salisbury reduced it to 19 in 1876 During the Tenure of
Lord Lytton.
Historical Background of civil services in India

• The first open competition for the service was held in England in June, 1893,
and 10 top candidates were appointed as Probationary Assistant
Superintendents of Police.
• Entry into Imperial Police was thrown open to Indians only after 1920 and the
following year examinations for the service were conducted both in England and
India.
 Anglo – Sikh Wars

Wars

First Anglo Sikh Second Anglo Sikh

War(1845-46) War(1848-49)
▪ Battle of Mudki (18 Dec, 1845) 1. Battle of Ramnagar (1848)
▪ Battle of Ferozeshah (21 Dec, 1845) 2. Battle of Chillianwala (1849)
▪ Battle of Baddowal (January, 1846) 3. Battle of Gujrat (1849)
▪ Battle of Aliwal (January, 1846)
▪ Battle of Subraon(feb,1846)
⦁ TREATY OF LAHORE (1846)
⦁ TREATY OF BHAIROVAL (1846)
 Anglo – Sikh Wars

BACKGROUND

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839

• He left sikh Empire With strong army &
Modern Arsenal made on European lines.
• But Soon 12 Sikh misls started quarreling
on a number of issues, one of them Was
fight between Ranjit Singh’s sons over the
throne.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh

1st Maharaja of the Sikh Empire
Reign---12 April 1801 – 27 June 1839
 ORIGIN OF SIKH MISLS

The misls were the twelve sovereign

states of the Sikh
Confederacy, which rose during the
18th century in the Punjab region in
the northern part of the Indian
subcontinent and is cited as one of
the causes of the weakening of
the Mughal Empire prior to Nader
Shah's invasion of India in 1738–
1740.

NADER SHAH OF IRAN

 NAMES OF SIKH MISLS

1 Shaheed 7 Bhangi
2 Ahluwalia 8 Kanhaya
3 Fyzullapuria 9 Nakkai
10 Karora
4 Ramghariha
11 Dhallewalia
5 Sukerchakia 12 Phoolkia
6 Nishanwalia
 AFTERMATH OF RANJIT SINGH’S DEATH

KHARAK SINGH NAU NIHAL SINGH CHAND KAUR SHER SINGH

Kharak Singh was poisoned ,Nau Nihal singh was treachrously murdered, Chand
kaur & Sher singh were assassinated.
 PUNJAB BETWEEN (1843-1849)

YOUNG DALEEP SINGH & HIS CARETAKER JINDAN

KAUR
 Causes of the first Anglo-Sikh War

• Major Broad was placed in Amritsar as the East India

Company’s agent in 1843.

• The British were closely watching the developments in the

Punjab political front and had territorial ambitions there as in
. other parts of the subcontinent.
• The Sikh forces crossed the Sutlej in December 1845 and took
offensive positions against the English forces.

• Subsequently, battles were fought in different places and the

English victory at Sobraon led to the signing of the Lahore
Treaty in 1846 which ended the war.
 Anglo – Sikh Wars

Wars

First Anglo Sikh Second Anglo Sikh

War(1845-46) War(1848-49)
▪ Battle of Mudki (18 Dec, 1845) 1. Battle of Ramnagar (1848)
▪ Battle of Ferozeshah (21 Dec, 1845) 2. Battle of Chillianwala (1849)
▪ Battle of Baddowal (January, 1846) 3. Battle of Gujrat (1849)
▪ Battle of Aliwal (January, 1846)
▪ Battle of Subraon(feb,1846)
⦁ TREATY OF LAHORE (1846)
⦁ TREATY OF BHAIROVAL (1846)
 TREATY OF LAHORE-1846

• Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9thMarch, 1846 after

the first Sikh War, which had following provisions:
• Maharaja gave up all his territories lying to south of
river Sutlej.
• Sikhs had to pay ₹1.5 crore as war indemnity.
• Unable to pay entire sum, they had to give up certain
additional territories - Kashmir and Hazara.
• British sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh for ₹1 crore.
• Minor Dalip Singh was accepted as king with queen
Jindan as his guardian and Lal Singh as Wazir.
• Sir Henry Lawrence became the British resident at
Lahore.
 AFTERMATH OF TREATY OF LAHORE-1846

• Rebellion under Lal Singh

• Sikhs disliked the British move of selling
away Kashmir to Gulab Singh.
• Consequently, the Sikh revolted under Lal
Singh.
• Revolt was suppressed and another treaty
– Treaty of Bhairoval (1846).
 TREATY OF BHAIROVAL (1846)

• Rani Jindan’s guardianship was ended and

she was pensioned.
• Council of eight Sikh chiefs under the
chairmanship of British Resident was
appointed for governance works.
• It was decided that a permanent British
Army will be placed at Lahore until Dalip
Singh becomes a major.
• Treaty of Bhairoval, made the British
resident a virtual ruler of Punjab with
unlimited Civil & Military powers.
 Anglo – Sikh Wars

Wars

First Anglo Sikh Second Anglo Sikh

War(1845-46) War(1848-49)
▪ Battle of Mudki (18 Dec, 1845) 1. Battle of Ramnagar (1848)
▪ Battle of Ferozeshah (21 Dec, 1845) 2. Battle of Chillianwala (1849)
▪ Battle of Baddowal (January, 1846) 3. Battle of Gujrat (1849)
▪ Battle of Aliwal (January, 1846)
▪ Battle of Subraon(feb,1846)
⦁ TREATY OF LAHORE (1846)
⦁ TREATY OF BHAIROVAL (1846)
 Causes of the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848-49

• Sikh Empire had lost some territories to the British East

India Company.

• Maharani Jindan Kaur was not treated properly

.
• In 1848, Vans Agnew. and another officer who arrived in
Multan to take charge were murdered by Mulraj’s
troops.(DEWAN of Multan)

• This news led to unrest in Punjab and many Sikh soldiers

joined the rebel forces against the British
 Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848-49

COURSE OF THE WAR

Three battles were fought in second Anglo-Sikh War:

Battle of Ramnagar (1848)
Battle of Chillianwala (1849)
Battle of Gujrat (1849)
First two battles were indecisive and both these battles, British army
was led by Hugh Gough.
.
In third Battle, Sikh army was defeated and surrendered before the
English led by Charles Napier.
Once the Sikh Army collapsed, Dalhousie decided in favour of
annexation.
AFTERMATH OF 2ND Anglo-sikh
war

Punjab Administration was entrusted to a Board of Commissioners.

Kohinoor Diamond was taken away from Dalip Singh and placed in the
British Royal Crown, thus, making Punjab a part of British Empire.
 British Annexation of Sindh
• Sindh was the border region of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab region of
present-day Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• It was the gateway to the west. During the early nineteenth century,
the British started to show interest in Sindh.
• Earlier in 1630, they enjoyed some trade facilities authorized by a
Farman of the Mughal Emperor, which provided them with privileges
in the ports of Sindh. The British also set up a factory at Thatta in
1758 but abandoned it in 1792 due to commercial factors.
• The conquest of Sindh occurred in 1843 due to growing Anglo-Russian
rivalry in Europe and Asia.
• As a result, the British feared that Russia might attack India through
Persia or Afghanistan.
• To counter Russia, the British decided to increase their influence in
Persian and Afghanistan.
• To successfully pursue this policy, the British felt to bring Sindh under
their control because of the strategic position of ports of Sindh and
commercial possibilities of river Sindh.
Rise of Talpuras Amirs
• Since the 18th Century, Talpuras Amirs, also known as Amirs of Sind,
ruled over Sindh. In the 1770s, a Baluch tribe called Talpuras
descended from the hills and settled in the Plains of Sindh.
• They were excellent soldiers and adapted to a hard life. Some Baluchi
Chiefs soon usurped power in this new region.
• In 1783, the Talpuras, under the leadership of Mir Fatah Ali Khan,
established complete control over Sindh.
(1783-1843)
• In 1800, when Mir Fatah died, the brothers of Mir (popularly known
as Char Yar) divided the Kingdom among themselves, calling
themselves as Amirs of Sindh.
• These chiefs of Sindh, known as Amirs, extended their domain on all
sides.
• They occupied Amarkot from the Raja of Jodhpur, Sahikarpur &
Bukkar from Afghans, and Krachi from the chief of Luz.
Treaty of Eternal Friendship, 1807
• In June 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte joined the alliance with Russia
having one of its conditions, the combined invasion of India by the
land route.
• Now the British wanted to create a strong barrier between British
India and Russia. To achieve this, Governor-General Lord Minto sent
three delegations under the leadership of prominent persons to forge
alliances:
• Anglo-Russian rivalry and fear of Napoleon’s conspiracy made the
British realize the importance of the strategic location of Sindh.
• To counter the Russian and Napolean Bonaparte threat, Lord Minto
sent Nicholas Smith to visit Sindh, who met the Amirs of Sindh to
conclude a defensive arrangement.
• After the negotiations, the Amirs agreed to sign the Treaty of Eternal
Friendship, their first-ever treaty with the British.
• After professing eternal friendship, both sides agreed to exchange
agents at each other’s court and exclude Napoleans (French) from
Sindh.
Treaty of 1832
• The Amir of Hyderabad, Khairpur, and Mirpur ruled the region of
Sindh. But, they were not in a position to put a united front against
the British. In 1832, Governor-General William Bentik sent Colonel
Henry Pottinger to Sindh to sign a treaty with the Amirs.
• It was a treaty of mutual respect and non-aggression against each
other. The provisions of the treaty were as follow:
• The British travelers and traders allowed free passage through Sindh
and the use of Indus for trading purposes. But they would not carry
any material for war.
• The travelers would need a passport, and no British merchant would
settle down in Sindh.
• Tariff rates, if found high, could be altered by the Amirs.
• The Amirs would work with the Raja of Jodhpur to put down the
robbers of Kachchh.
Treaty of 1838
• In 1836, Lord Auckland became the Governor-General of India. He
looked at Sindh from the perspective of protecting India from the
possible Russian invasion.
• Also, the British wanted to consolidate their position in Sindh as a
necessary step for their plans on Afghanistan.
• They got an opportunity when the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh
captured Rojhan, a frontier town of Sindh.
• Lord Auckland convicted the Amirs about the possible incursion from
Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• He sent Henry Pottinger to Hyderabad to sign a new treaty with the
Amirs, which offered protection to the Amirs on the condition that
the British troops would station at the capital at the expense of Amir.
• The Amirs initially refused to sign the treaty but later reluctantly
agreed to sign it in 1838. This treaty of 1838 permitted the British to
intervene in the disputes between the Amir and Sikhs.
• In February 1839, under the threat of superior forces, the Amirs of
Sindh were made to sign a Subsidiary Treaty.
• Under the Subsidiary Treaty, the British subsidiary forces had to
station at Shikarpur and Bukkar.
• The Amirs of Sindh had to pay 3 lakh rupees annually for the
maintenance of the British troops. Further, Amirs debarred from any
negotiations with the foreign states without the Company’s
knowledge
Conquest of Sindh, 1843
• The Amirs of Sindh never liked the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42)
to fight on the soil of Sindh.
• Also, they did not like the presence of the British troops in their
region.
• The British also asked the Amirs to pay for all of this under the
Subsidiary treaty. Instead of rewarding for their services, the Amirs
were charged with hostility and disaffection against the British
government.
• In 1842, Lord Ellenborough became the Governor-General of India.
The Amirs were made responsible for the British troop’s reversal in
the war against Afghanistan.
• Ellenborough sent Outram to Sindh to sign a new treaty with the
Amirs, under which the Amirs had to cede important provinces of
Sindh as a price for their past transgressions.
• The British also intervened in a succession dispute over Sindh. All of
this made Amirs rose in revolt against the British.
• In 1843, Governor-General Ellenborough sent Charles James
Napier to put down the rebels by capturing the Sindh.
• In February 1843, the British forces under Napier defeated the
Baluch army under the three Amirs of Hyderabad, Khairpur, Mirpur at
the Battle of Miani.
• As a result, the British completely annexed Sindh to British Empire in
1843.
• After the Battle, Charles Napier sent a one-word telegram to the
Governor-General.
• The message was a Latin word Peccavi, which means I have Sinned.
The meaning of this wordplay in the telegram was I have Sindh.
Charles Napier got appointed as the first Governor of Sindh.
 Period-(1857-1885)

Lecture
Lecture1: 1:
Introduction
American Revolution
and Civil
India 18th Century: Decline of
DuringWar
Mughals and Rise of Regional States
 Indian Council Act of 1861

• Indian Council Act of 1861 was institutionalized to serve the necessities of

cooperation of Indians in the administration of the country.
• The act restored the power of the Government and the composition of the Governor
General’s council for executive & legislative Purposes.
• It was the first instance in which the portfolio of Council of Governor-General was
incorporated.
 Features of Act of 1861

• The three separate presidencies (Madras, Bombay and Bengal) were brought into a
common system.
• The Act added to the Viceroy's Executive Council a fifth member - a jurist.
• Viceroy's Executive Council was expanded by the addition of not less than six and not
more than 12 additional members for the purposes of legislation, who would be
nominated by the Governor-General and would hold office for two years.
• Therefore, the total membership increased to 17.
• Not less than half of these members were to be non-officials.
 Features of Act of 1861

• The legislative power was to be restored to the Council of Bombay and Madras,
while Councils were allowed to be established in other Provinces in Bengal in 1862
and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in 1886, Burma and Punjab in 1897.
• viceroy Canning had introduced the Portfolio system in 1859 that divided into
several branches, which entrusted to different members of the Governor General's
council.
• It also envisages that the member in-charge of his department could issue final
orders with regard to matters which concerned his department.
• Lord Canning nominated three Indians to his legislative council-the Raja of Banaras,
the Maharaja of Patiala and Sir Dinkar Rao in 1862.
 Important Associations of 19th Century
Organization Formed by Aim & Objective
Bangabhasa
▪ Associates of Raja Discussing government policy and seeking redressal through petitions and
Prakasika
Rammohan Roy. memorandums.
Sabha (1836)
Zamindari
▪ Dwarka Nath
Association To safeguard the interests of landlords of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa.
Tagore,
Or It is credited with launching of organized political activity in India using constitutional
Radhakanta Deb
Landholder’s methods.
and others.
Society (1838)
British India
To improve situations of Indians by letting people of England know the dire conditions
Society (1839 ▪ William Adam
of India.
in London)
Bengal British To protect & promote general public interest.
India Society -- Dissemination of information related to actual conditions of people under colonial
(1843) rule.
It sent petition to the British Parliament demanding inclusion of some of its
▪ Landholder’s suggestions in the renewed Charter of the Company, such as:
British Indian Society & Bengal 1. Establishment of a separate legislature of a popular character
Association British India society 2. Separation of executive from judicial functions
(1851) merged into British 3. Reduction in salaries of higher officers
Indian association 4. Abolition of salt duty, abkari and stamp duties
These demands were partially met in Charter Act of 1853.
 Historical Background of civil services in India

• A Civil Service Commission was setup in 1854 in London and competitive

examinations were started in 1855.
• Initially, the examinations for Indian Civil Service were conducted only in
London.
• Maximum age was 23 years and minimum age was 18 years.
• The syllabus was designed such that European Classics had a predominant
share of marks.
• All this made it difficult for Indian candidates.
• Nevertheless, in 1864, the first Indian, Shri Satyendranath Tagore brother of
Shri Rabindaranath Tagore succeeded.
• Three years later 4 other Indians succeeded.
 Historical Background of civil services in India

• The epochal event took place in 1864 when the first

Indian, Satyendra Nath Tagore, qualified for the Indian
Civil Service (ICS).
• Immediately, the marks of Arabic and Sanskrit papers,
which had been increased in 1860, were reduced back
to 375 from 500.
• The maximum age was further reduced to 21 from 22
making it more difficult for Indians to compete.
• Salisbury reduced it to 19 in 1876 During the Tenure of
Lord Lytton.
EYE-OPENERS FOR INDIANS

• Famine of 1876 that affected several villages of Madras, Bombay, Mysore,

Hyderabad, parts of central India & Punjab.
• The Dramatic Performances Act was implemented by the British Government in
India in the year 1876 to police seditious Indian theatre.
• Expensive organization of Delhi Durbar in January 1877 to proclaim Queen
Victoria as empress of India – at a time when several parts of the country were
facing famines.
• Drain of India’s wealth in second Afghan War (1878-1880).
EYE-OPENERS FOR INDIANS

Legislation Objective Governor General/Viceroy

Vernacular Curtailed freedom of Lord Lytton

Press Act press.
(1878)
Arms Act Disarmed Indians Lord Lytton
(1878)
Plantation Condemned plantation Lord Canning
Labour and labourers to serfdom.
Inland
Emigration Act
(1859)
 Ilbert Bill Controversy

• Sir Ilbert was the law member of the Viceroy’s Council.

• The Ilbert Bill sought to give Indian members of ICS the
same judicial powers as their European colleagues
enjoyed.
• As per this bill, Indian judges could try European accused.
• The bill faced a severe opposition from the Europeans
who all stood to oppose the bill.
• This protest came to be known as the White Mutiny of
1883.
• In the face of opposition, Lord Ripon had to modify the
Bill in favour of Europeans and an amendment was
introduced whereby a jury of 50% Europeans was
required if an Indian Judge was to face a European in a
trial.
 Indian National Congress
Formation
Early Phase – (Moderates)
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