By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such regulation?

1. Lord Cornwallis felt that the District Collector’s efficiency of revenue collection would enormously increase without the burden of other work
2. Lord Cornwallis felt that judicial power should compulsorily be in the hands of Europeans while Indians can be given the job of revenue collection in the districts
3. Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person
4. The judicial work demanded a deep knowledge of India and a good training in law and Lord Cornwallis felt that District Collector should be only a revenue collector

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Regulation of 1793 under Lord Cornwallis separated judicial powers from revenue administration.
• Cornwallis believed that the concentration of executive, revenue, and judicial authority in one official led to abuse of power and corruption.

Answer: (c) Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person