Answer in detail:

Describe the reforms introductions by Lord Dalhousie.

Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General of India from 1848 to 1855. He had introduced many reforms for the welfare of the state and the people.

A. Administrative reforms:

● He appointed a Lieutenant Governor to look after the matters in Bengal.

● The provinces were divided into districts and each of them had a deputy commissioner.

● Shimla was the winter capital

● Calcutta was the summer capital

● A uniform administration system was introduced in Madras, Bombay and Calcutta.

B. Introduction of railways:

● Lord Dalhousie is called the Father of Indian Railways.

● The first railway line was between Bombay and Thane in 1853.

● In 1854, a railway line was set up between Howrah and Ranikanj

● In 1856, a railway was started from Madras to Arakonam.

● It helped in increasing the volume of trade.

● It became easier for the British government to transfer goods, troops and raw materials from one place to another.

C. Post and Telegraph:

● Post and telegraph offices were set up in every district.

● A Director Governor was appointed to keep a check on the postal offices in each district.

● He had introduced postal stamps,half anna postal , a uniform postage system and telegraph lines

D. Commercial reforms:

● He introduced free trade.

● The harbour of Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were improved and lighthouses were also set up.

● They were also equipped with modern facilities.

E. Social reforms:

● He abolished Sati and suppression of thugs.

● He encouraged widow remarriage and introduced the Widow Remarriage Act in 1856.

● He allowed the inheritance of ancestral property, even if he changed his religion

F. Educational reforms:

● A department of public instruction was set up in every province.

● Many educational institutions were set up from primary to university levels.

● Teacher training institutions were also set up.

● An engineering college was set up in Roorkee.

G. Military reforms:

● The army headquarter was shifted from Calcutta to Shimla

● The Bengal artillery headquarter was shifted from Calcutta to Meerut.

● Gurkhas were encouraged to join the Indian army.