The Dual Government in Bengal was a unique system introduced by the British East India Company after the Battle of Buxar in 1764. The system allowed the British to control Bengal’s administration without directly involving themselves in the day-to-day governance. The arrangement helped the British East India Company exploit Bengal’s resources while avoiding direct responsibility for its administration.
- The Dual Government was introduced in 1765 by Robert Clive.
- It split power between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal.
- The Company controlled revenue collection, while the Nawab handled civil administration.
- The system was designed to benefit the British without direct governance.
- The Dual Government in Bengal led to widespread corruption and inefficiency.
The Dual Government marked the beginning of a new era of British colonial rule. It laid the foundation for the eventual control of India by the British. The Dual Government allowed the British to extract revenue while maintaining a facade of local governance. The system was one of the earliest examples of indirect rule by a colonial power.
The Creation of Dual Government in Bengal
The Dual Government in Bengal was established after the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765. The British East India Company was granted the Diwani Rights to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. However, the civil administration was left to the Nawab, creating a dual system of governance. The Dual Government effectively removed the Nawab’s power, reducing him to a mere figurehead.
The Impact of Dual Government
The Dual Government had far-reaching consequences. It led to widespread exploitation of Bengal’s resources by the British. The revenue collected was often sent to Britain, leaving Bengal impoverished. The Dual Government also resulted in administrative inefficiency, as the Nawab lacked real power and the British were only interested in revenue collection.
Criticism and Consequences
The Dual Government in Bengal was widely criticized for its exploitative nature. The British East India Company became increasingly unpopular as the people of Bengal suffered under the oppressive revenue system. The Dual Government also led to a decline in agricultural productivity, as heavy taxes forced farmers into debt.
Abolition of Dual Government
The Dual Government in Bengal was eventually abolished in 1772 by Warren Hastings, the then Governor-General of India. He recognized the flaws in the system and took steps to centralize power under the British administration. The abolition of the Dual Government marked the beginning of direct British rule in Bengal, paving the way for further expansion of British control in India.
Conclusion
The Dual Government was a crucial phase in the history of British colonial rule in India. It showcased the British strategy of indirect rule, which allowed them to exploit resources while maintaining a semblance of local governance. Though short-lived, the Dual Government had a lasting impact on Bengal’s economy and administration, setting the stage for the eventual establishment of British supremacy in India.
| Dual Government in Bengal UPSC Notes |
| 1. The Dual Government in Bengal was introduced by the British in 1765, dividing power between the East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal. 2. The system allowed the British to control revenue collection while leaving civil administration to the Nawab, reducing his role to a figurehead. 3. The Dual Government led to widespread exploitation and impoverishment of Bengal, as the British focused on extracting revenue for their benefit. 4. Administrative inefficiency and corruption were rampant under the Dual Government, causing significant suffering among Bengal’s population, particularly the farmers. 5. The Dual Government in Bengal was abolished in 1772 by Warren Hastings, who centralized power under British administration, leading to direct British rule in Bengal. |
