East India Company governance structures in Bengal and Southeast Asia

¶ … British Westernize Southeast Asia

Introduction- What is 'westernization'

Westernization is when the European countries would impose their way of life on the colonies they rule to include: the economic system, values, religion and beliefs. The idea was that European views were more progressive and superior to those of the indigenous population. As result, the ultimate objective was to have everyone in the various colonies to accept these different principals in one form or another. The East India Company was an extension of the British government's attempts to impose Westernization on Southeast Asia. (Phillips, 2008)

Initial Government in Bengal - 'dual government'

There were two forms of government that were mainly utilized under this system to include: regions that company would exercise direct control and those that they controlled through treaties. The regions that were controlled by the company would have increased amounts of jurisdiction, in all areas of government and daily life. The reason why, is these areas were considered to be a vital part of the operations for the East India Company, as this was seeded to it after the Battle of Plassey. The regions that were brought under the control of the company (through various treaties) were given greater amounts of local authority. This meant that the company would have less influence upon these areas, as there was mainly a business arrangement vs. allowing the area to be annexed. (Phillips, 2008)

Civil Service - lower level Indians

In the lower levels of the government, the East India Company would offer the citizens from Bengal greater authority over other members within Indian society. Where, they would use the Caste system to establish a social structure throughout regions that the company would directly control. This would help them to have a local administrators and civil servants that could be utilized, to deal with various situations that arise. (Phillips, 2008)

Land revenue systems - adapting to pre-existing ones- land as property

As far as land revenues were concerned, the East India Company would collect a percentage of the taxes from the Bengal Presidency. This would help to fund the various activities of their organization and different wars that they would engage in. At the same time, the East India Company would receive payment in the form of silver and gold bullion for various exports that it would send back to Europe. (Phillips, 2008)

Law and judiciary - dual government - pandits/kazis- establishment of courts- separation of powers

In Southeast Asia there were two different court systems that were established. The first one was based off of: local tribal customs and traditions that were augmented, with the British rule of law. The idea was that these local courts (pandits / kazis) could more effectively handle various situations that were faced in their region. At the same time, the East India Company would establish their own court system, to deal with issues that the local courts could not handle and to have authority over the actions of Europeans. As time went by, this model would become more dominant, as this system would have a European judge and local interpreters / officials to add various local customs / traditions to the proceedings. (Phillips, 2008)

Police - contd. Mughal system till 1793- thanas/darogas - different system in Bombay and Madras- police under District Magistrate - Sind 1843

The system used as far as law enforcement is concerned, would take the existing structure and they would augment it with British officials in maintaining control. This would often involve having various Indian authorities conducting the traditional law enforcement duties, while having European officials who were in charge. In other areas, the East India Company would exercise direct control, as they would impose the existing British legal structure with local elements (thana / derogas). (Phillips, 2008)

Education - Orientates- Anglicist - Persian removed only in 1835

At first, the East India Company would allow many local officials to augment the traditional curriculum with local customs. During the 19th century this structure was ineffective, as India had one of the lowest literacy rates for all of the British colonies. At which point, the East India Company would become directly involved in the way education was being provided. Where, they would engage in a number of different strategies to achieve this objective to include: establishing various institutions of higher education, allowing everyone the opportunity to receive an education beyond the caste system and to embrace Indian ideas / culture. From the perspective of the company, this would allow them to maintain effective control over India. (Phillips, 2008)

Clearly, the system that was utilized by the British to rule Southeast Asia involved a number of different elements. These are important, because they are highlighting how the East India Company would embrace these ideas as a part of increasing their control of India. When you put these different elements together, this is highlighting the overall strategy that was used, with the company embracing traditional Western ideas and augmenting them with local customs to increase their effectiveness as well as control.