DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34827#0095
1819.
79
Bengal have been attributed are the over-population, and the
consequent degradation and pusillanimity of the people ; the
general revolutions of property, in consequence of our revenue
arrangements, which drove the upper classes to disaffection
and the lower to desperation ; the want of employment to the
numerous classes, whether military or otherwise, who were
maintained by the native government; the abolition of the
ancient system of police, in which, besides the usual bad effects
of a general change, were included the removal of responsibility
from the zemindars; the loss of their natural influence as an
instrument of police ; the loss of the services of the village
watchmen, the loss of a hold over that class which is naturally
disposed to plunder, and in some cases the necessity to which
individuals of it were driven to turn robbers, from the resump-
tion of their allowances ; the separation of the revenue, magis-
terial, judicial, and military powers, by which all were weakened ;
the further weakness of each from the checks imposed on it;
the delays of trials, the difficulties of conviction, the inadequacy
of punishment, the trouble and expense of prosecuting and
giving evidence ; the restraints imposed by our maxims on the
assumption of power by individuals, which, combined with the
dread of the Adawlut, discouraged all from exertion in support
of the police; the want of an upper class among the natives,
which could take the lead on such occasions ; and, to conclude,
the small number of European magistrates who supply the
place of the class last mentioned, their want of connection and
communication with the natives, and of knowledge of their
language and character.^
' The Mahratta country presents in many respects a com-
plete contrast to the above picture. The people are few
compared to the quantity of arable land; they are hardy,
warlike, and always armed till of late years* The situation of
2 This passage is far from exhausting the subject. The low pay of native
officials, who in many cases exercise considerable power, and the inefficiency of
many British officers, under a system which allowed the veriest dolts to be sent
out to India to discharge duties of the highest importance, had a large share
in bringing about these scandals.
79
Bengal have been attributed are the over-population, and the
consequent degradation and pusillanimity of the people ; the
general revolutions of property, in consequence of our revenue
arrangements, which drove the upper classes to disaffection
and the lower to desperation ; the want of employment to the
numerous classes, whether military or otherwise, who were
maintained by the native government; the abolition of the
ancient system of police, in which, besides the usual bad effects
of a general change, were included the removal of responsibility
from the zemindars; the loss of their natural influence as an
instrument of police ; the loss of the services of the village
watchmen, the loss of a hold over that class which is naturally
disposed to plunder, and in some cases the necessity to which
individuals of it were driven to turn robbers, from the resump-
tion of their allowances ; the separation of the revenue, magis-
terial, judicial, and military powers, by which all were weakened ;
the further weakness of each from the checks imposed on it;
the delays of trials, the difficulties of conviction, the inadequacy
of punishment, the trouble and expense of prosecuting and
giving evidence ; the restraints imposed by our maxims on the
assumption of power by individuals, which, combined with the
dread of the Adawlut, discouraged all from exertion in support
of the police; the want of an upper class among the natives,
which could take the lead on such occasions ; and, to conclude,
the small number of European magistrates who supply the
place of the class last mentioned, their want of connection and
communication with the natives, and of knowledge of their
language and character.^
' The Mahratta country presents in many respects a com-
plete contrast to the above picture. The people are few
compared to the quantity of arable land; they are hardy,
warlike, and always armed till of late years* The situation of
2 This passage is far from exhausting the subject. The low pay of native
officials, who in many cases exercise considerable power, and the inefficiency of
many British officers, under a system which allowed the veriest dolts to be sent
out to India to discharge duties of the highest importance, had a large share
in bringing about these scandals.