Modern History Simplified: Learn all about Lord Cornwallis (1786-1793) – Governor general of India and his achievements.

1. Cornwallis Code: The Cornwallis Code is a body of legislation passed in 1793 by the East India Company. This code was developed by Cornwallis who was the governor of Bengal from 1786 to 1793. These provisions were related to governance, law, and order, judicial and civil administration. The code involved the following
   1. The land revenue assessment (the major source of revenue) was fixed permanently with zamindars, or hereditary revenue collectors. 
   2. Separation of Power: The local administration was placed in the hands of the revenue collectors of districts but revenue officials were deprived of judicial powers.
   3. Administration of Justice: The judiciary was reorganized; there were district judges with magisterial powers responsible to provincial courts in civil cases and to courts of circuit in criminal cases.
   4. Europeanisation of administrative machinery: The higher ranks of the services were restricted to Europeans, thus depriving Indians of any responsible office.

2. Judicial Reforms

Civil Courts

1. The distinction between civil suits and revenue disputes was abolished. 2. A regular hierarchy of courts was constituted. At the bottom of the organisation were the courts of Munsifs who were Indians. These courts were authorized to decide cases of disputes involving not more than rupees fifty. 3. Above the courts of Munsifs were the courts of Indian Registrars who could take up cases involving disputes up to rupees two hundred only. 4. Then there were district courts which hear appeals from the lower courts and wherein English judges decided disputes with the help of Indian assessors. 5. Above district courts were four provincial courts established at Patna, Dacca, Murshidabad and Calcutta respectively. These courts dealt with original cases and also heard appeals from the lower courts. These courts were placed under three English judges who decided cases with three native assessors. 6. At the top of all was the Sadar Diwani Adalat at Calcutta wherein the cases were decided by the governor-general and the members of his council with the assistance of Chief Qazi, two Muftis and two Pandits. 7. Over and above it, an appeal could be made to the king of Britain and his Council

Criminal Courts

1. Circuit Courts which moved from one place to another for dispensing justice were established in districts under English judges. 2. Above them were four provincial courts established at Patna, Dacca, Murshidabad and Calcutta respectively. English judges presided over these courts. These courts could award death sentences to a person but with the prior permission of the Sadar Nizamat Adalat. 3. The Sadar Nizamat Adalat was established at Calcutta where the cases were decided by the “Governor-general-in-Council”. It was the highest criminal court. However, an appeal against its judgment could be made to the King of Britain and his Council. 4. In all these courts, the English judges were assisted by native assessors.

3. Police Reforms

1. The effective implementation of judicial reforms necessitated a restructuring of police administration.
2. The police were under the control of the District Judge.
3. Each district was divided into thanas, or police circles, each about 20 square miles in size.
4. It was assigned to an Indian officer known as the Daroga, who was ably assisted by a large number of constables.

4. Introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal

The basic features of the Permanent Settlement in Bengal were as follows:

1. The landlords were made hereditary owners of the land under their possessions. They and their successors could not be dispossessed of their lands till they paid their revenue to the state.
2. The landlords could sell their lands and also had the right to purchase land.
3. The state kept no direct contact with peasants.
4. The Company’s share in the revenue was fixed permanently with the landlords.

5. Civil Service Reforms 

  To “curb” the corruption in the company, Cornwallis was given sufficient powers and authorities. He put in place the rules and regulations for the servants of the company. As per the new rules:

1. Only qualified people would enter into the service of the company.
2. No recommendation from England would be given weightage for appointments in the company’s service.
3. The private trade of all the company servants was abolished.
4. Company servants were now to sign a bond which included that they won’t accept any gifts from Indians and will not indulge in private trade.
5. Top posts were only for Europeans, Indians were given posts which were lowest such as peons.
6. The revenue collectors were deprived of the Judicial powers. (Separation of powers- which stood at the heart of Cornwallis Code)

Lord Cornwallis’s greatest contribution to establishing British colonial rule in India, aside from the Permanent Settlement, was his military measures containing Tipu Sultan of Mysore. Cornwallis received the title of First Marquis in August 1792 for his military success as well as his success in making the company kingdom strong administratively, judicially, and militarily.