SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This Thesis is a study of some aspects of the internal administration of Lord Elgin as Viceroy of India from 1894 to 1898. The problems faced by the administration were mainly financial and economic. In 1893 the currency system of India was changed in order to give financial stability to the Indian exchequer and to introduce a gold standard in India. This however, did not immediately improve the financial situation. The Indian Government had to impose import duties, including those on cotton goods, to meet the financial deficit. In order to safeguard the Manchester cotton interests the Government of India imposed countervailing excise duties on Indian cotton goods. This gave rise to a serious controversy. The outbreak of famine and plague added to the difficulties of the administration. The plague measures excited the social and religious prejudices of the people and resulted in riots and murders. The Government was disposed to regard educated Indians and the press with suspicion and as being largely responsible for creating political troubles. In order to deal with them effectively the Government changed the sedition laws and armed itself with immense judicial powers. Though it was primarily a period of administrative difficulties, Elgin found time to introduce some reforms in the fields of railway administration and formulated a policy of planning and its rapid expansion.