Introduction
Sir George Barlow (1762–1847) led Madras from 1808 to 1813 and Fort William as interim governor general from October 1805 to July 1807. George Barlow started working for the Company in 1778. Under Cornwallis’ tenure, he worked as the board of revenue’s secretary. He made a significant contribution to the creation of the laws and regulations for the permanent settlement.
Significance Of His Tenure
George Barlow was appointed Madras’ president in 1807. His temperament, which had been advantageous to him in Bengal, was not suited to the more democratic administration of Madras.
- He struggled to control the army, in part because the military department was chaotic and corrupt. The civil service was impacted by corruption in the military sector as well.
- Barlow was committed to instituting order in the Madras military and government. He made an effort to punish individuals deemed responsible for corruption.
- Barlow was appointed chief secretary of the Supreme Government of Calcutta in 1796 and joined the Council in October 1801.
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Conclusion
His reform efforts failed because the organised and powerful vested interests were too strong. He soon got into a fight with the top military and civil service officials. Army rebelled against him, and the court of directors had to return him from Madras in 1813 to put things in order. Feb. 1847 saw the passing of George Barlow.
