The Princely States: British Paramountcy and Internal Administration 1858-1948

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In this work, based on the original sources, various facets of the British paramountcy in operation in the Princely States have been examined and analysed with special reference to the Kapurthala State. It has been sought to be established that during the period 1858-1947 there was an ever-increasing intervention of the Imperial Government in the internal affairs of the States which was conspicuously evident in the matters of succession, coinage, opium trade, railway, post and telegraph, disputes between the Princes and their collaterals, administrative arrangements during the minority of the Chiefs, Prince’s visits to foreign countries, appointment of Europeans and military establishment in the States. Such a manifold intervention was exercised very often in violation of the existing treaty-stipulations. With the result, the Princes were left with only limited exercise of authority in internal affairs and that too subject to overall control and supervision of British Political Officers. Peculiar features of the British relations with the Kapurthala State have been brought out clearly. The all-pervasive British paramountcy inevitably left its prominent impact on various aspects of internal administration of States such as the central and local administration, land revenue system, judicial and police system, education and public works. All these aspects have been discussed comprehensively and critically in respect of the Kapurthala State, highlighting the changes effected on modern lines. Significantly, a large number of Europeans had been appointed on high position in the various departments of administration of the Kapurthala State under whose direction important reforms were brought about which were commensurate with the requirements of the colonial rule. The main shortcomings of the administration of the princely regime have also been pointed out which resulted in the launching of the people’s movements like Central Zamindara League and the Praja Mandal movement against the State authorities. The reaction of the public opinion expressed through press and platform has not been ignored.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anju Arora

Born in 1969, Dr. Anju Arora has a bright academic career to her credit. In the degree examination she stood first in the merit list of the Punjabi University, Patiala and won the University Gold Medal. In M.A. History examination too she got first position and was awarded Gold Medal by the University; she secured a high percentage of marks and set up a new record. For her consistently brilliant academic career, she was awarded a special Chancellor’s Gold Medal for academic excellence. She obtained her Ph.D. degree from the Punjabi University, Patiala in 1996. Dr. Anju Arora was associated with the teaching of post-graduate classes in History first as UGC Research Fellow in the Department of History, Punjabi University and then as a Lecturer in History, Government Mohindra College, Patiala. From there she went on deputation to the Union Territory, Chandigarh. She served first in Government College, Sector 46 and thereafter in the prestigious Government College for Girls, Sector 11, where she got promotion as Senior Lecturer. At present she is teaching post-graduate classes in the History Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has published about a dozen research papers in various journals of repute and has participated in a number of national and regional conferences and seminars. Currently she is engaged in the study and researches of some significant aspects of socio-cultural history of modern India.

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Bibliographic information

Title
The Princely States: British Paramountcy and Internal Administration 1858-1948
Author
Edition
1st ed.
Publisher
ISBN
8187521031
Length
xvii+348p., Map; Notes; References; Appendices; Glossary; Bibliography; Index; 23cm.
Subjects