Introduction
From March 30, 1785, to September 24, 1856, Henry Hardinge was a British Army officer and politician. After participating in the Peninsular War and the Waterloo Campaign, he was appointed Secretary of War in Wellington’s cabinet. He rejoined Sir Robert Peel’s government in 1830 as Secretary at War after serving as Chief Secretary for Ireland. Later, he held the positions of Commander-in-Chief of the Forces during the Crimean War and Governor-General of India during the First Anglo-Sikh War.
Significant Events During His Tenure
Social
He forbade the traditional Hindu practises of sati, infanticide, and human sacrifice, which were still prevalent, particularly in the mountainous regions of Orissa.
- He also ordered that Sundays be kept as a weekly holiday in government buildings and created schools.
- Public service is now considered to need a minimum level of English education.
Political
Between 1845 and 1846, under Lord Hardinge’s leadership, the Sikh Empire and the East India Company engaged in combat.
- After Maharaja Ranjit Singh passed away, a tribal conflict broke out, leading to the first Sikh War in 1845.
- Thus, the regions between the Beas and the Sutlej were added to the British domain.
Evaluation Of His Tenure
Within three months of his arrival, he signed the illustrious resolution promising to give successful students of government colleges and private institutions the encouragement of office and promotion in the public service, giving the state the opportunity to capitalise on the talent it had helped to foster.
- In India, as in England, the cause of education has been a game of party prejudices and individual caprices, so his liberal plan was only partially executed.
- It wasn’t fully applied until the University of Calcutta was founded, to which all of the country’s educational institutions were linked and which was unbiased in the awarding of honours.
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Conclusion
As in England, Lord Hardinge won society’s respect via his excellent sense and the exceptional fusion of a gentle and accommodative disposition with the resolve of character and vigour of discipline. After leaving the military in 1848, he held important posts in the UK, first as the Master of Ordnance and subsequently as the Commander in Chief. He made numerous improvements to the British army.
Hardinge-I FAQs
Q1. What transpired in the conspiracy case in Lahore?
Ans. The Defence of India Act of 1915 constituted a Special tribunal to hear the matter. Of the 291 conspirators who were found guilty and sentenced to prison, 42 were put to death, 114 received life sentences, and the remaining 93 received varying prison sentences. 42 defendants were cleared of all charges following the trial. 152 persons in total have been charged.
Q2. What was Lord Hardinge’s declaration?
Ans. All appointments in the public sector were to be made to people who had knowledge of English education, according to Hardinge I’s decree from the year 1844. Following the declaration, learning English became increasingly popular in middle-class Bengali society.
