SSC
The 'Cornwallis Code', a body of regulations that reorganised the administration, judiciary and revenue system in Bengal, was enacted in:
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Answer: Option A — 1793
Detailed Solution
The "Cornwallis Code" was enacted in 1793; it was a body of regulations prepared under the Governor-General Lord Cornwallis for the administration of the Company's territories in Bengal.
About the Cornwallis Code:
- It consisted of about 48 regulations, drafted mainly by Sir George Barlow.
- It laid down rules for the administration of justice, the police, the land revenue, and the duties of officials.
Main features:
- Separation of revenue and judicial functions: the Collector was made responsible only for revenue collection, and lost his judicial powers.
- District judges were appointed to try civil cases in each district.
- A graded system of courts was set up: district courts, provincial courts of appeal, and the Sadar Diwani Adalat (civil) and Sadar Nizamat Adalat (criminal) at the top.
- European judges presided over the courts, with Indian law officers (pandits and maulvis) to advise them on Hindu and Muslim law.
- The principle of the "rule of law" was introduced, under which government officials could be sued in the courts for actions done in their official capacity.
- Police: the districts were divided into thanas (police circles), each under a daroga.
- Land revenue: the regulations also included the rules for the Permanent Settlement of land revenue with the zamindars of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
Significance:
- It laid the foundation of the British administrative and judicial system in India.
- It established the principle of the separation of powers in district administration.
- However, it excluded Indians from higher posts.
Criticism:
- The courts were expensive and slow, and the poor could not easily get justice.
- The rules were made according to British ideas, and did not always suit Indian conditions.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1784 was the year of Pitt's India Act.
- ✗1786 was the year Cornwallis came to India.
- ✗1813 was the year of a Charter Act.
Quick tip
Remember: Cornwallis Code = 1793 (drafted by George Barlow; separation of revenue and judicial functions; thanas under darogas; Permanent Settlement rules).
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British Acts & Policies — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of British Acts & Policies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the constitutional and administrative acts passed during British rule, from the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt's India Act of 1784 to the Charter Acts, the Indian Councils Acts, the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947, along with British economic, land revenue and education policies. Exam questions usually ask what a particular act introduced: the Indian Councils Act 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims, the Government of India Act 1919 brought dyarchy to the provinces, and the 1935 Act provided for a federation and provincial autonomy. Land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari and Mahalwari) and education milestones such as Wood's Despatch (1854) are also tested. Practise the British acts and policies questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.