Evaluate the impact of the policies of Lord Bentinck on India.
Introduction
Thesis: Lord Bentinck posed long lasting impact on India, from the aspects of education, culture and administration. It is clear that Bentink want to make India better from perspective the western culture.
Para1: Education Theme
“Bentinck established the principle that India should be governed for the benefit of Indians. He promoted the spread of science and literature among the educated public in general.” (Gorman)
English as ‘medium of instruction’
www.jstor.org/stable/25222546
(seed) “As early as 1829 he had stated to Metcalfe his conviction that the acquisition by Indians of the English language was ‘the key to all improvement.’” (Seed)
Specific Act
“The decision of the Governor-General in Council was embodied in a Resolution of 7th March, 1835, which stated: ‘His Lordship in Council is of opinion that the great object of the British Government ought to be the promotion of European literature and science among the natives of India, and that all the funds appropriated for the purposes of education would be best employed in English education alone.’” (p. 70)
Effect
more involvement of local people in politics - ‘Lord William Bentinck’s administrative reforms involved a large increase in the number of Indians employed by the East India Company, and which, to some extent, increased the scope of the responsibilities of Indian officials.’
better control by British Empire
Setup College
Act
Medical College Bengal—A Pioneer Over the Eras - PMC
‘On January 28, 1835, a new era commenced on the order of His Lordship William Bentinck. The first medical college of Asia was built … Fifty young men between the ages of 14 and 20, without distinction of caste or creed, were admitted to study for a period of 4 years.’ (Chatterjee)
Introduction of Western Science into Colonial India: Role of the Calcutta Medical College on JSTOR
“A new institution for aspiring Indian doctors, the Calcutta Medical College (also called the Medical College of Bengal), was to be founded on the European model with all instruction in English.” (Gorman)
(Gorman)
Effect
- “This scientific breakthrough [students participating in dissections] had enormous sociological consequences, for it opened the door of Western medicine to the natives of India as practitioners and beneficiaries.” (p. 285)
- “It showed in a dramatic and conclusive manner that Indians could master science and medicine on a level with Europeans.” (p. 290)
Evaluation
first western college in India, even in Asia - “The attainments at Calcutta had a direct influence on furthering higher education in India… Frequently it is forgotten that one of the deciding factors among the Court of Directors in establishing Indian universities was the success of the Calcutta Medical College.”
Small Conclusion
Big impact -> Introduction of western culture
Para2: Culture Theme
(FISCH)
Bentinck also posed great influence on Indian culture practices. The most notable ones are abolition of sati and allowed Widow’s Remarriage.
The Act of Abolition
- “On 4 December 1829 Lord William Bentinck, Governor General of India, abolished in the Presidency of Bengal the custom of ==sati==, of widows (satis) burning themselves, or being burned, on the funeral pyres of their husbands.” (p. 109)
- “The law became Bengal Regulation 17, 1829.” (p. 126)
- “As part of his campaign to reform Indian society, Lord Bentinck set up the Thugi and Dakaiti Department in 1829 under Captain William Sleeman’s direction.” (Belmekki)
%%Widow Remarriage (Belmekki) - “The Government of India was compelled in 1856 to pass the Widow’s Remarriage Act, which made remarriage of Hindu widows legal.”%%
Effects
- “Wherever the prohibition had taken place widow-burning soon ceased almost completely, although it never absolutely vanished. Occasional cases were reported even after 1947.” (p. 109)
- “The abolition of sati was a very protracted affair. Nevertheless, Bentinck’s act maintains a central position in the process.” (p. 129)
Opposition
“It was not to be expected that the pandits would declare sati a criminal act, a custom totally incompatible with Hinduism.” (p. 114)
“The custom of sati had never been accepted by all Hindu groups and sects. But there was, at least in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, no movement aimed at the abolition of the custom.” -> The policy is supported by majority, but there were minor opposition, which were from orthodox population (typically Rammohun Roy) who called for reformation rather than prohibitation.
Para3: political and administrative impact
Lord William Bentinck: The Application of Liberalism to India on JSTOR
(Bearce)
Reforms in Governance and Law:
- “Bentinck was concerned with the establishment of the principle of equality of law in India. He wanted a single code of law for the whole population, ‘black and white, native and European.’” -> social justice and stablility for both sides (Although the dichotomy was problematic)
- “Bentinck sought… to raise the standards of the peasants. He allowed virtual freedom of the press, a measure which he hoped would stimulate the growth of ideas.”
Economic and Public Services:
- “Bentinck… balanced his budgets by reducing expenses and avoiding wars, and he demonstrated that India could produce a surplus of revenue which could be applied to education and public works.” -> reduced expense, better distribution of resources
- “He began a survey of a Ganges canal, pushed the building of roads, and advanced steam navigation of Indian rivers.” -> public service, but makes exploition of resources more effective