India (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from India

Opinion of Mr. J. S. Mill - Observations of Sir Henry Maine - Changes made by Lord Canning and by the Indian Councils Act - Reforms completed by Lord Lawrence - The Council converted into a Cabinet - The manner of transacting business - Power of Governor-General to overrule the Council - Exercise of this power by Lord Lytton - Migration of the Government to Simla - Relations between Supreme and Provincial Governments - Mr. Bright on the Government of India - Decentralisation - The various departments and secretariats - The Home Government - The Secretary of State and Council of India - Mode of transacting business - Nature of control exercised over the Government of India

The advance of Russia towards the frontiers of India - Consequent changes in our position - The armies of India before the Mutinies - The Mutinies of 1857 - The reorganisation of the army - Its present constitution - The Staff Corps - Increase to the army caused by the advance of Russia - Its present strength - The department of Finance and Commerce - Reforms instituted by Mr. James Wilson - Financial decentralisation - The existing system of financial administration - Growth of the public revenues since 1840 - Their present amount - Small proportion of the revenues derived from taxation - The sources of the public income - The Land Revenue - Its nature described by Mr. Fawcett and Mr. J. S. Mill - Its incidence under Native and British Governments - Moderation of assessment - Aurangzeb's revenues - Rates on land - The Opium Revenue - The manner of raising it - The consumption of opium in China - Mistaken ideas on the subject - China not dependent on India for the supply of opium - The Chefoo Convention - Consumption of opium in India - Forests - Tributes from Native States - Post Office - Telegraphs

Revenue derived from taxation - The Salt Tax - Sources of supply of salt - Former system of levying duties - The Inland Customs Line - Its abolition - The prese…