Policing in a District of the Early Colonial Bengal: Nadia 1793-1860

Abstract

Policing is the most vital need of any state and ruling class. If the state is colonial or foreign one it is absolutely necessary. In the early nineteenth century when the colonial state in India was its formative period, effective policing was essential for the expansion of the colonial authority in the remotest part of the country. It was urgent for the control of the criminal elements of the society. Colonial government in Bengal had established modern police department for controlling crime and to apprehend criminals in the rural Bengal. Although in the early stage, policing was in the state of infancy. Its prime aim then was to protect the colonial establishment from internal insecurity. Therefore it lacked detective power. This paper has tried to argue that the performances of the police of the district of the Nadia were far from satisfaction of the higher authority of the government.  The efficient policing was almost absent in Nadia. The failure of Nadia police was manifolds. Detection of crime, apprehension and conviction of criminals, recovery of stolen property – in every parameter of the policing, the story of Nadia police was a story of failure. The paper has discussed in some extent the reasons of this failure also.

Policing is the most vital need of any state and ruling class. If the state is colonial or foreign one it is absolutely necessary. In the early nineteenth century when the colonial state in India was its formative period, effective policing was essential for the expansion of the colonial authority in the remotest part of the country. It was urgent for the control of the criminal elements of the society. Colonial government in Bengal had established modern police department for controlling crime and to apprehend criminals in the rural Bengal. Although in the early stage, policing was in the state of infancy. Its prime aim then was to protect the colonial establishment from internal insecurity. Therefore it lacked detective power. This paper has tried to argue that the performances of the police of the district of the Nadia were far from satisfaction of the higher authority of the government.  The efficient policing was almost absent in Nadia. The failure of Nadia police was manifolds. Detection of crime, apprehension and conviction of criminals, recovery of stolen property – in every parameter of the policing, the story of Nadia police was a story of failure. The paper has discussed in some extent the reasons of this failure also.