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Difficulty: MediumBritish Colonial Expansion, Economic Policies, and Administrative Systems

Which of the following administrative reforms was specifically introduced by Lord Cornwallis through the Cornwallis Code of 1793?

  1. Separation of revenue administration from judicial administration at the district levelAnswer
  2. B
    Creation of the institution of District Collector with combined judicial and revenue collection powers
  3. C
    Introduction of open competitive examinations in London for recruitment into the Indian Civil Service
  4. D
    Enactment of a uniform Police Act establishing a standardized provincial police framework across British India

Answer

Separation of revenue administration from judicial administration at the district level
The Cornwallis Code of 1793 established the legal and administrative separation of revenue collection from judicial administration. Prior to this, the District Collector exercised both fiscal and judicial authority. Lord Cornwallis restricted the Collector solely to revenue management and created a distinct judicial hierarchy headed by District Judges.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary administrative objective of Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
Lord Cornwallis enacted the Cornwallis Code of 1793 to streamline administrative, revenue, and judicial functions.
The East India Company sought to prevent administrative corruption and power concentration in single offices.
2
Analyze the structural change made to the post of District Collector.
The Revenue Collector was divested of all judicial and magisterial duties, which were transferred to a newly created District and Sessions Judge.
This instituted the principle of separation of powers between executive revenue officers and the judiciary.

Key Concept

Separation of Revenue and Judicial Functions under Cornwallis Code (1793)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

British Colonial Expansion, Economic Policies, and Administrative Systems