Bengal Presidency

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== Bengal Presidency ==

The Bengal Presidency was a subdivision of British India, established in 1765 and lasting until 1947. It was one of the three presidencies of British India, the other two being the Madras Presidency and the Bombay Presidency. The Bengal Presidency was the largest and most significant of the three, both in terms of territory and economic importance.

History

The Bengal Presidency was established following the Battle of Buxar in 1764, which resulted in the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765. This treaty granted the British East India Company the Diwani rights, or the right to collect revenue, in the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The capital of the Bengal Presidency was initially in Murshidabad, but it was later moved to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1772.

Administration

The Bengal Presidency was governed by a Governor-General, who was the head of the British administration in India. The Governor-General was assisted by a council and various administrative departments. The presidency was divided into several divisions and districts, each overseen by a Collector.

Economy

The economy of the Bengal Presidency was primarily agrarian, with rice, jute, and indigo being the main crops. The region was also known for its textile industry, particularly the production of muslin and silk. The British East India Company established several factories and trading posts in the region, which facilitated the export of these goods to Europe.

Education and Culture

The Bengal Presidency was a center of education and culture in British India. The University of Calcutta, established in 1857, was one of the first modern universities in India. The region was also the birthplace of the Bengal Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement that produced notable figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

Decline and Legacy

The Bengal Presidency began to decline in the early 20th century, as nationalist movements gained momentum. The Partition of Bengal in 1905, which divided the province into East Bengal and West Bengal, was met with widespread opposition and was eventually reversed in 1911. The presidency was finally dissolved in 1947, following the independence of India and the creation of the separate nations of India and Pakistan.

Related Pages

• British Raj
• East India Company
• Governor-General of India
• Partition of Bengal (1905)
• University of Calcutta
• Bengal Renaissance