Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793): Reforms, Mysore War, Legacy

Civil Services Organisation

• Cornwallis systematised and organised the Company’s civil administration (often linked with the “Cornwallis reforms”).

European Monopoly in Higher Services

• Recruitment to higher civil posts was restricted to Europeans, reflecting distrust of Indians in top administration.
• Senior Indian officials were removed, and high-value posts were closed to them.
• Positions above £500 per year were reserved for Europeans.

Separation of Functions (Checks & Balance)

• Introduced clearer separation between commercial, judicial, and revenue roles.
• Collectors lost judicial authority and were confined mainly to revenue duties.

Anti-Corruption Measures

• Sought to curb corruption by:
  • Raising salaries of Company servants to reduce the lure of private trade.
  • Strictly enforcing the ban on private trade.
  • Taking action against officials accepting bribes, gifts, and “presents.”
  • Making seniority the main basis for promotions to reduce favouritism.

Police Reforms

Background (Before Cornwallis)

• Pre-colonial India did not have a modern police structure; under later Mughals:
  • Faujdars handled law and order (largely rural/territorial).
  • Kotwal managed city policing and order.
  • Amils were revenue officials.
• During Dual Government (1765–1772), zamindars maintained thanedars, but dereliction of duties led to rising dacoity.

Regular Police Force (1791)

• Cornwallis established a regular police system (1791).
• The thana (police circle) system was modernised.
• Each thana was placed under a Daroga (Indian).
• District-level supervision came under a Superintendent of Police (SP).
• Zamindars were relieved of police responsibilities; control shifted towards judicial authorities (district judge).

Law Reforms

Cornwallis Code (1793)

• Introduced major legal principles and administrative restructuring:
  • Separation of revenue and judicial administration
  • European subjects brought under jurisdiction (greater uniformity)
  • Government officials made answerable to civil courts for acts done in official capacity
  • Emphasised the sovereignty of law
  • Hindu and Muslim laws were separately compiled/codified for use in courts

Sanskrit College (1791)

• Jonathan Duncan founded the Sanskrit College at Benares (1791) to promote study of Hindu law and philosophy.

Charter Act of 1793 (Key Provisions)

• Renewed the EIC trade monopoly in India for 20 more years.
• Provided that the Board of Control members and staff would be paid from Indian revenues.
• Extended Cornwallis-style overriding authority: the Governor-General’s overriding power over his Council was extended to future Governor-Generals and Governors of Presidencies.
• Strengthened the Governor-General’s control over Bombay and Madras presidencies.
• Made the Commander-in-Chief ineligible for Council membership unless specifically appointed (as GG).

Judicial Reforms (Criminal and Civil)

Criminal Justice Changes

• District Faujdari courts with Indian judges were abolished.
• Four Circuit Courts were set up at Calcutta, Dhaka, Murshidabad, and Patna, staffed by European judges.
• Circuit courts acted as appellate courts for civil and criminal matters.
• The highest level of this circuit system was centred at Calcutta.
• Sadar Nizamat Adalat was shifted to Calcutta.

Civil Justice Changes

• The Diwani Adalats introduced earlier were reorganised and renamed as District/City/Zila Courts.
• These courts were placed under a District Judge.
• The Collector was confined to revenue collection only (no magisterial/judicial role).
• Appeals from district courts continued to go to the Sadar Diwani Adalat (also shifted to Calcutta).

Top Judicial Authority

• The Governor-General and Council were to preside over:
  • Sadar Diwani Adalat
  • Sadar Nizamat Adalat (assisted by Chief Qazi and Chief Mufti)

Hierarchy of Civil Courts (Gradation)

1. Courts under Indian officers
2. Courts under a European judge
3. District Court under the District Judge
4. Four Circuit Courts (Provincial Courts of Appeal)
5. Sadar Diwani Adalat, Calcutta
6. King-in-Council (appeals of £5000+)