All About the Administrative Policies Post-1857

Introduction

Before 1857, the British rulers in India aimed to modernize the country with progressive ideas. However, after the rebellion of 1857, their approach and administrative policies shifted. They began implementing regressive administrative policies, claiming Indians weren’t capable of governing themselves and required British control for stability. 

Various Strategies Used By the British Towards Natives

• Divide and Rule: The British used the strategy of divide and rule to prevent united mass action from challenging their authority alongside their regressive administrative policies.
• Hostility Towards Educated Indians: Emerging middle-class nationalists were demanding Indian participation in administration. So, there was a hostile attitude towards nationalist leadership. 

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• Attitude Towards Zamindars: The British sought alliances with princes, zamindars, etc., to expand their social base.
  • They were used as a counterweight against nationalist-minded intelligentsia alongside the regressive administrative policies.
  • Zamindars and landlords were hailed as ‘natural’ leaders, their interests were protected against peasants. 
  • Awadh taluqdars had their land confiscated prior to 1857.
• Attitude Towards Social Reforms: The British withdrew support for social reforms that aroused orthodox opposition. They encouraged caste and communal consciousness to aid reactionary forces.
• Underdeveloped Social Services: There was a large spending on the army and civil administration, which limited the funds for social services. 
  • The facilities established, catered to elite sections and urban areas.
• Labour Legislations: Miserable working conditions in factories and plantations in 19th-century India. 
  • Lancashire textile capitalists’ lobby were the first ones who demanded an investigation into factory conditions.
• First Factory Act (1881) dealt mainly with child labour issue. It had following provisions: [UPSC 2018 ]
  • employment of children under 7 years of age prohibited. 
  • working hours restricted to 9 hours per day for children.
  • children to get four holidays in a month; and 
  • hazardous machinery to be properly fenced off.

• Indian Factory Act (1891): increased the minimum age from 7 to 9 years and the maximum from 12 to 14 years for children; 
  • Reduced maximum working hours for children to 7 hours a day. 
  • Fixed maximum working hours for women at 11 hours per day with a one-and-a-half hour interval (working hours for men were left unregulated.
  • Weekly holiday for all workers was provided.
  • Exclusion: British-owned tea and coffee plantations excluded from these laws, labourers were treated ruthlessly.
• Restrictions on Freedom of the Press: Nationalists used advancements to influence public opinion and criticize policies. So various restrictions on the press were imposed.
• White Racism: White Superiority was maintained as colonial rulers systematically excluded Indians from higher positions, and public spaces, and displayed racial arrogance.

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Conclusion

Through different administrative policies like divide and rule, hostility towards educated Indians, and alliances with traditional elites, they aimed to maintain their dominance. The treatment of labourers, exclusion of British-owned plantations from labour laws, restrictions on social reforms and freedom of the press, alongside the perpetuation of white racism, underscored the oppressive nature of British colonial rule in India.

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