GOVERNANCE UNDER COLONIAL RULE
The establishment and reform of the Civil Service under British rule in India marked a significant transition in the administrative machinery of the colonial state, spearheaded by Lord Cornwallis. This move was instrumental in shaping the bureaucratic structure that would govern India for over a century, aimed at enhancing efficiency and curbing the rampant corruption that characterized the early years of British administration.
1.Early Trade and Administration: Initially, the East India Company's operations were managed by servants engaged in trade, who were paid modest wages but allowed to conduct private business. As the Company transitioned from a commercial entity to a territorial power, these individuals took on administrative roles, leading to widespread corruption.
2.Attempts at Reform: Both Clive and Warren Hastings recognized the problem of corruption among Company officials and made efforts to address it. However, their attempts yielded only limited success.
Determination for Change: Arriving in India as Governor-General in 1786, Cornwallis was resolved to overhaul the administration. He identified the root of corruption in the inadequacy of salaries provided to the Company's servants, which tempted them towards corrupt practices for personal gain.