Dual Administration Court Supervisor

The increasing power of British East India Company and their involvement in political power resulted in the increasing dominance over Bengal ruling. Under the supervision of Robert Clive, the dual administration system took into effect that helped in the leniency in the trading of British East India Company compared to the Indian traders. The tax free trade and involvement in Diwani as well As Nizamati activities resulted in the creation of dual government that slowly helped the British powers to increase and get the direct responsibility for administrative works in Bengal.

Dual administration court supervisor

Following a surge in interest in the administration of Bengal, the business began to acquire state power. As a result, the Bengal Administration found itself in a situation where the activities of two government entities could be seen. Dual government refers to the administration of two recognised bodies. The administration work was divided into two parts such as Diwani and Nizamat, which had roles in justice system, administrative work, revenue system and military work management. The court supervisor is responsible for civil administration in Diwani Adalat and to support criminal administration in Faujdari Adalat. Sadar Nizamat and Sadar Diwani were supervised by Chief Qazi or Mufti and Governor aided by 2 counsellors respectively. 

Dual system of administration

Throughout 1765, the Mughal emperor granted the Company the Diwan’s privileges, which included the ability to collect money and administer civil justice in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The Nizamat’s rights, such as maintaining law and order, defending the frontiers against foreign incursion, and administering criminal justice, were preserved by the Nawab of Bengal. As a result, Bengal’s ruling authority was split into two branches. The Nawab was in control of one of the heads, while the Company was in command of the other. The period of control in Bengal between 1765 and 1772 is known as the “Dual Government” because of this split of authority. The Company’s refusal to accept direct responsibility for the administration of Bengal resulted in “Dual Government.”

While the Company intended to maximise its profits by keeping Bengal’s finances under its control, it refused to bear any responsibility for the country’s government. It became abundantly evident when, in actuality, the Company refused to accept direct responsibility for even the Diwani. On behalf of the Company, Robert Clive nominated two naib (deputy) Diwans, Raja Shitab Ray for Bihar and Muhammad Raza Khan for Bengal. This was the extent of the Company’s actions. It merely expected a significant sum of money and assigned two Indians to the job. It was not their business how that revenue would be collected or what effect it would have on the lives of Bengal’s common people. The Company also selected Md. Raza Khan as naib Nizam because the Nawab was a minor. As a result, Md. Raza Khan, who was a servant of the Company both as naib Nizam and naib Diwan, was entrusted with the task of managing Bengal. The Company had complete control over this servant’s actions and was therefore free of any accountability.

Role of Robert Clive in introducing dual system of administration 

Lord Clive was the architect of Bengal’s Dual System of Government. A puppet Nawab sat in Murshidabad, paying the firm a yearly allowance of Rs. 6 lakh. The British Emperor Shah Aalam II was placed under British “protection,” and he would henceforth reside in Allahabad. In lieu of the Diwani rights or the Fiscal administration, the corporation was paying him Rs. 26 lakh per year. Lord Clive’s goals, however, were not satisfied. He left Bengal with nothing more than a shadow administration, and the real government fell into the hands of the East India Company. The Northern Circars’ territorial administration was designed to keep the French and British away. The Diwani system was carried out by the East India Company, iterating as Diwan. Nizam was responsible for carrying out the Nizamat (territorial) jurisdiction. The British enjoyed duty-free trade compared to Indian traders who paid 40% of trade revenue. 

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the challenging administration system developed negative effects on the power shaft in Bengal. The involvement of British East India Company in the administrative work resulted in the dual power system that increased complexity and also the favours shifted from native traders to the foreign British traders. It also affected the revenue and justice system as implemented in the dual court and administrative system under the influence of Robert Clive. However, the system was a failure in obtaining the total interest for the British trading company.