East Indian Company came in Bengal about a century, since 1650 for trading contact with Bengal. It was a mixing of two cultures, two civilizations, when British and Bengal people met politically through the Palashi. And at the end of the Colonial Rule, we find many areas in where the two cultures are conformed. Impacts of British Colonial Rule in Bengal are given in the following: Economical Disaster: The backbone of agriculture and Textile industry sector has been destroyed by East Indian Company and British Rule during their 200 years regime. British tortured the people of Bengal inhumanly for cultivation of “NIL”. Traditional sea-trade and Textile industries have been destroyed during British rule. They transferred the wealth of this country cleverly, for their own use; as a result our economy had broken down. Administrative Reforms: The western Administration system of bureaucracy and local government institutions were established. The governor general in council of the Colonial State had no similarity with the previous Subahadar-in-darbar. The power of the Subahadar had maintained “Grampradhan” and “Panchayet” system. But the governor general’s local government was simple – § District Board – in every district § Local Board - in sub Division Level § Union Board – at village level Reform in Judicial System: Modern judicial system and regular politics system were developed during the British Colonial rule period. Modern judicial system was placed instead of old ones like – § Munsef Adalat § Zila Adalat § Court of Circuit § Sadar Adalat Expansion of Education: Modern education system was introduced by Bentinq, Governor General of India. English education was spread up during that time. Universal education was in vogue during the pre-colonial regimes. Government gave land grant to all educational institutions (Tols, Pathsala, Maktabs and Madrasas). But education became a private affair and very expensive during the British and as a result literacy rate came down to insignificant level in the mid-19th century. Only 4% were literate in 1872, whereas it was above 80% a century earlier. Social Reforms: During the British, people became concerned and many anti-superstitious acts were established. Like - abolition of Satismad slavery, Prohibiting child marriage, sacrificing child at birth, infanticide, widow marriage and so on. Development of communication: Communication system was far developed during British regime. In the year 1850 at first rail communication started between Hawra and Raniganj (Bihar) 240 Km. They discovered uniform postal system (1851) and electronic Telegraph (1854). Grandtrank road has been developed during that time. *** *** *** |
Bangladesh Studies
