Question 3Discuss and critically examineGS1GS2

Discuss the contributions made by Lord William Bentinck as Governor General of India and critically examine the limitations of his reforms.

Introduction

Lord William Bentick served as the Governor General of India from 1828 to 1835. His tenure laid groundwork for modern colonial state apparatus.

23 words

Main Body

Contributions made by Lord William Bentick:

1. Social reforms - abolition of Sati via Bengal Regulation XVII (1829). Discouraged infanticide & human sacrifices.

2. Educational reforms - Macaulay's minute on Education (1835) advocated for English education. This led to establishment of English medium schools & created English educated Indians who later became torchbearers of Indian nationalism.

3. Administrative reforms - laid foundation for codification of laws, this led to Indian Penal Code of 1860. Promoted efficiency in civil services.

4. Economic reforms - reduced military expenditure and supported commercial agriculture, paving way for later colonial economic policies.

Limitations:

Selective social reforms, politically calculated & result of extensive lobbying from Indian social reformers such as Raja Rammohan Roy.

English education aimed at creating 'Brown Sahibs' & cost cutting effort, neglected mass education & vernacular systems alienated.

Cash crops & commercial agriculture promoted by him contributed to food insecurity & famines.

— Disha Dhankhar · AIR 235

152 words2 paragraphs3 bullet points

Conclusion

Bentinck's tenure was followed by others such as Dalhousie who built upon his efforts. While he contributed towards social reforms, his policies were in the interest of British East India Company & strengthened their hold over India.

37 words

Examiner score

1.6/10

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Disha Dhankhar

AIR 2352025

Subject & Paper

GS1GS2

Topic

Modern Indian History

Governor Generals of India

Lord William Bentinck's Reforms

Writing Stats

212

Total words

Paragraphs

Bullets

analytical

Tone

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