Explanations:The dual system of administration, also known as the Dual Government, was a unique administrative system implemented by the British East India Company in the Bengal Presidency during the 18th century. This system was a result of the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, which granted the East India Company the right to collect revenue (Diwani) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, while the Nawab of Bengal retained nominal sovereignty over the region.
Under the dual system, the East India Company's officials worked alongside the Nawab of Bengal, sharing administrative responsibilities. The Company's officials were responsible for collecting revenue and managing the finances of the region, while the Nawab retained control over the judicial and military aspects of governance. This arrangement was intended to maintain a balance of power and to ensure that the Company could collect revenue without completely alienating the local rulers.
The dual system was a complex and often contentious arrangement. It was characterized by a lack of clear lines of authority and frequent conflicts between the Company's officials and the Nawab. The system was eventually replaced by the Permanent Settlement of 1793, which established a more direct form of British rule in Bengal.
It is important to note that the dual system was specific to Bengal and was not implemented in other regions of British India. In regions like Bombay and Madras, the East India Company's administration was more directly controlled by the Company's officials without the involvement of local rulers. This highlights the regional variations in the administrative systems implemented by the British in different parts of India.
Understanding the dual system of administration is crucial for comprehending the complexities of British colonial rule in India. It provides insight into the strategies employed by the East India Company to maintain control over the region while balancing the interests of both the Company and the local rulers.