Modern History

Important Personalities and Movements

   1 Keshab Chander Sen :- was an Indian Bengali Hindu philosopher and social reformer who attempted to incorporate Christian theology within the framework of Hindu thought.He was born on 19th November 1838 in Kolkata. He was a descendant of the medieval Sena kings of Bengal. He was so influenced by the ideas of Brahmo Samaj that he joined the Calcutta Brahmo Samaj in 1857. At the age of 19, Keshab Chandra Sen started social work by establishing an evening school for adults. He used the medium of Press to spread social consciousness and development.  he started a fortnightly journal ... Read more

Lord Cornwallis (1786 – 1793)

Lord Cornwallis (1786 – 1793) Introduction Lord Cornwallis, a warrior-statesman. He succeeded Warren Hastings as Governor-General in 1786. He belonged to an influential and aristocratic family which had wider political connections. He was also a close friend of Prime Minister Pitt. Dundas, the most influential member of the Board of Control was also one of his close friends. He famed himself as a remarkable soldier in the American War of Independence.   Although he surrendered at York Town in 1781 before the American troops, his reputation was not spoiled. He still enjoyed the confidence of the authorities at Home. After ... Read more

Lord William Bentick (1828-1835)

Lord William Bentick (1828-1835) Introduction Lord William Bentinck assumed the office of the Governor- General in 1828. Born in 1774 he commenced his career as a soldier and later at the young age of twenty two he became a Member of Parliament. He was appointed the Governor of Madras in 1803. He supported Sir Thomas Munroe on revenue administration. The Vellore Mutiny of 1806 had resulted in Bentinck’s recall. However, his appointment again to the higher office as Governor-General shows his real greatness. As Governor-General, Bentinck had initiated an era of progress and reforms. He was undoubtedly the first Governor-General ... Read more

Warren Hastings (1773-1785)

  Warren Hastings (1773-1785) Became Governor in 1772 and Governor-General in 1773 through Regulating Act of 1773 His four councillors were Clavering, Francis, Monson and Barwell Abolished Dual system(1767-1772) of administration (1772) Auctioned the right to collect land revenue to the highest bidder (1772) Divided Bengal into districts and appointed Collectors (1772) Rohilla war(1774) and annexation of Rohilkhand by the Nawab of Awadh with the help of Britishers. Treaty of Surat(1775) between Raghunath Rao and Warren Hastings, but Council of Calcutta rejected it Nanad Kumar incident (1775) Treaty of Purandar(1776) between English and Peshwa Refined Hindu and Muslim laws. A translation ... Read more

Lord Cornwallis (1786 – 1793)

Lord Cornwallis (1786 – 1793) Introduction Lord Cornwallis, a warrior-statesman. He succeeded Warren Hastings as Governor-General in 1786. He belonged to an influential and aristocratic family which had wider political connections. He was also a close friend of Prime Minister Pitt. Dundas, the most influential member of the Board of Control was also one of his close friends. He famed himself as a remarkable soldier in the American War of Independence.   Although he surrendered at York Town in 1781 before the American troops, his reputation was not spoiled. He still enjoyed the confidence of the authorities at Home. After ... Read more

Lord Wellesley (1789-1805)

Lord Wellesley (1789-1805) INTRODUCTION Lord Wellesley became the Governor General of India at a time when the British were involved in a life and death struggle with France all over the world. He soon realized that the political conditions in India were favorable for the expansion of the British Empire in India. Lord Wellesley adopted the policy of Subsidiary Alliance to keep the Indian rulers under control and to further strengthen the British Empire in India. He opened a college to train the Company’s servants in Calcutta and is known as the Father of Civil Services in India. Lord Wellesley ... Read more

Lord Ellenborough, 1842-44

  Lord Ellenborough, 1842-44   INTRODUCTION   Lord Ellenborough served as the Governor General of India from 28 February 1842 to 15 June 1844. He is credited with bringing the Afghan War to an end.  His tenure of office was marked by a successful expedition to Kabul which went a long way in enhancing the prestige of the British in India which suffered a lot due to mismanagement of the Afghan War by his predecessor Lord Auckland.   During Ellenborough’s governor generalship, Sindh was annexed to the British government. This act has been condemned as high-handed by most writers.  Ellenborough also coerced ... Read more

Lord Auckland, 1836-42

Lord Auckland, 1836-42   INTRODUCTION Lord Auckland was the Governor-General of India and had decided that Dost Mohammed could no longer be trusted after his invitation of Yan Vitkevich to Kabul in 1837. He sided with the pro-British Ranjit Singh in the border dispute over Peshawar. It was Lord Auckland’s issuing of the Simla Manifesto that made the invasion inevitable. He had been convinced by Macnaghten and others that Shah Shujah would be welcomed as new pro-British leader in Afghanistan. Alexander Burnes had counselled against overthrowing Dost Mohammed and replacing him with Shah Shujah but was overruled.   Lord Auckland ... Read more

Development Of Hindi And Urdu Language

       Hindi and Urdu are two Hindustani Languages; spoken mostly in the northern and Central India and in Pakistan. Hindi and Urdu are two different languages but these languages have many common things. Both Hindi and Urdu are developed in a similar phase and adopted many changes. We will discuss about the development of both the languages one by one.   Development of Hindi: Hindi in Khariboli form has been accepted as official language of India. It is written in Devnagari script. It is listed in the 22 scheduled languages of India in our Constitution. Hindi is ... Read more

Social And Economic Conditions Under Colonial Period With Special Reference To Social Practices Of Beth

 , Begar and Reet Social conditions Indian society underwent many changes after the British came to India. In the 19th century, certain social practices like female infanticide, child marriage, sati, polygamy and a rigid caste system became more prevalent. These practices were against human dignity and values. Women were discriminated against at all stages of life and were the disadvantaged section of the society. They did not have access to any development opportunities to improve their status. Education was limited to a handful of men belonging to the upper castes. Brahmins had access to the Vedas which were written ... Read more