During British rule in India, the evolution of the police system underwent significant changes, reflecting the shifting needs and priorities of colonial administration. Initially, the British established a rudimentary police force primarily to protect their own interests and maintain law and order in areas under their control. However, as their colonial ambitions expanded, so did the organization and structure of the police force. This evolution was shaped by various factors, including the need to control and suppress dissent, maintain social order, and enforce colonial laws. Let’s delve into the key phases of this evolution to understand how the police system developed under British rule in India.
The police force, first established by Cornwallis, became an integral part of British rule. He created a regular police force to maintain law and order, adopting aspects of the traditional thanas system from ancient India. This laid the groundwork for a more organized police system.
Police under British
- History of Police under British Administration:
- The British introduced a professional police bureaucracy in India with the Indian Councils Act of 1861.
- The Superior Police Services, later renamed Indian Imperial Police, were established, overseen by an Inspector General.
- Recruitment was either from the British Army or among younger sons of British landed gentry.
- Evolution of Police under British Administration:
- The first investigation into police abuse started in 1855, leading to the formation of a committee in the Madras Presidency.
- The first Police Commission was founded in 1860, which laid the groundwork for the Police Act of 1861.
- This act, influenced by the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, gave the state government control over the police force, with appointments made by the Chief or Home Minister.
- Reforms in Police under British Administration:
- Following the 1857 uprising against British rule, there was a recognition of the need for a regularized police force.
- The Police Commission of 1860 aimed to improve the effectiveness of the police force, recommending the establishment of a unified civil police force under provincial administrations.
- The Police Act of 1861 laid the foundation for the modern Indian police force, establishing a hierarchical structure and strengthening command and control.
- 1861 Police Act:
- Enacted on March 16, 1861, this act replaced military police with a civil constabulary.
- Each province had its own independent administrative structure headed by an inspector-general.
- The organizational hierarchy was strengthened with District Superintendents of Police and Subordinate Police Service.
- Indians were primarily recruited at lower levels, while Europeans dominated upper ranks.
- The act emphasized village policing, overseen by local magistrates, and suggested improving police pay and benefits.
Army under British
- History of the Army under British Administration:
- Until India gained independence, the British were in charge of the Indian Army.
- The army consisted of both locally recruited soldiers and British officers.
- It participated in various conflicts like the Anglo-Burmese War, Anglo-Sikh War, and others, helping maintain British control.
2.Evolution of the Army under British Administration:
- In 1776, the East India Company set up a military department in Kolkata.
- The Bengal, Bombay, and Madras Presidency Armies merged to form the Indian army in 1895.
- It was divided into four commands: Bombay, Bengal, Madras (including Burma), and Punjab (Northwest Frontier).
- The Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College was established in Dehradun in 1912 to educate children of wealthy Indian families and prepare some for admission to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
- During World War I (1914–18), 1.3 million Indian soldiers served, with 74,187 killed or missing.
- Indian soldiers also fought in World War II (1939–45), where many were forced into battle, leading to demands for complete freedom.
- Some Indian soldiers joined Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army in Singapore.
The army was crucial in three ways: extending and defending the British Empire, subduing Indian powers, and protecting British India from foreign enemies. Various efforts were made to improve the Indian Police System, including the establishment of a Police Commission in 1860. The Police Act of 1861 addressed illegal activities and solidified British rule. Lord Curzon established the All India Service Commission in 1902.
Also Read: Evolution of Civil Services under British.