ABSTRACT
The real foundation of British administration in India was laid, when Warren Hastings became Governor General of Bengal and the Company took the responsibility of collection of revenue. When Lord Cornwallis took over as Governor General, he introduced permanent settlement. The upshot of the system was that the zamindars, who were mere collectors of revenue, were declared absolute proprietors of the land and the revenue paid by them was fixed in perpetuity. The revolt of 1857 brought major changes in the system of governance in India. After Britain secured firm political control over India, it took a series of measures towards representative government and the involvement of Indians in running the affairs of the country. The most significant feature of British administration has been the gradual supersession of custom by law, in the management of public business and the most negative aspect of British rule was the economic impoverishment of the country.
