SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis traces the evolution of civil administration within the Delhi Territory under its Residents between 1803 and 1832, and indicates the extent-or their political duties in connection. with the court or Delhi and the adjoining states or Rajputana and Hindustan. From, the creation of the Delhi Territory in 1803, when lands on the western bank or the River Jumna were assigned nor the support or Shah Alam and the Delhi royal family, the wain political task of the Delhi Residents was to reconcile the King of Delhi to his position as a stipendiary of the East India Company- and to curb his persistent attempts to regain the power formerly wielded by his Mughul ancestors. Beyond the frontiers of the Delhi Territory, the Residents exercised a political superintendence over states in subordinate alliance with the British Government, expounding to them the rights and obligations of the paramount power. They also had charge or the protected Sikh and Hill States, and were the channels or official communication to the Independent states or Lahore and Kabul. The decision taken by Lord Wellesley Government to place the Delhi Territory outside the range or the Bengal Regulations left the Delhi Residents tree to evolve a system or administration suited to the needs of the inhabitants of the Delhi Territory, incorporating many of their ancient usages and institutions. Thus, they developed a system of revenue collection and assessment, of customs administration, and of judicial procedure known as "the old Delhi system." It eventually approximated closely to the Bengal administration, but was never absorbed into it. Its development under successive Residents, with the modifications entailed by the increasing prosperity and productivity of the Delhi Territory, is depicted against the general unsettlement in north and central India caused by the two Maratha Wars and the insurgence of the Pindaris and thugs.