Presidencies: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:presidencymap1858.jpg|thumb|1858 Presidency Map]] | __NOTOC__ [[Image:presidencymap1858.jpg|thumb|250px|1858 Presidency Map]] | ||
The administration of [[British India]] was divided into three '''Presidencies''' that had developed from the [[East India Company]]'s factory bases. | |||
During the 17th Century the East India Company’s major trading centres were based upon ‘factories’ at | ===Factories=== | ||
* [[Fort William]] at [[Calcutta]] in [[Bengal]] (established in 1690) | During the 17th Century the East India Company’s major trading centres were based upon ‘factories’ at: | ||
* [[Fort St George]] on the Coromandel Coast (established 1640) | *[[Fort William]] at [[Calcutta]] in [[Bengal]] (established in 1690) | ||
* [[Bombay]] on the northern Malabar Coast (given by King Charles II in 1668) | *[[Fort St George]] on the Coromandel Coast (established 1640) | ||
*[[Bombay]] on the northern Malabar Coast (given by King Charles II in 1668) | |||
* [[Bengal (Presidency)|Bengal]] | ===Presidencies=== | ||
* [[Madras (Presidency)|Madras]] | These three factory locations developed to become the centres of Military and Political control as the Company’s influence grew during the 18th and 19th centuries and they became known as the three Presidencies of: | ||
* [[Bombay (Presidency)|Bombay]] – which included Aden | *[[Bengal (Presidency)|Bengal]] - which included [[Burma]] and the [[Straits Settlements]] (Penang, Malacca and Singapore) | ||
*[[Madras (Presidency)|Madras]] | |||
*[[Bombay (Presidency)|Bombay]] – which included [[Aden]] | |||
Additionally, two other presidencies were established and subsequently disbanded: | Additionally, two other presidencies were established and subsequently disbanded: | ||
* Bencoolen | *[[Bencoolen]] - at Fort Marlborough in Sumatra (1759-1803) | ||
* [[Agra]] (1834-1843) | *[[Agra]] (1834-1843) | ||
==Boundaries== | |||
[[Image:presidencies.gif|thumb|250px|1930's Presidency Map]] | |||
The boundaries between the presidencies varied from time to time but their positions at the time of the [[Indian Mutiny]] are shown on the 1858 Presidency map at the top right of this page. | The boundaries between the presidencies varied from time to time but their positions at the time of the [[Indian Mutiny]] are shown on the 1858 Presidency map at the top right of this page. | ||
Following the establishment of the Raj in 1858, major changes took place; | Following the establishment of the Raj in 1858, major changes took place; | ||
* Berar, Saugor & Nerbudda and [[Orissa]] passed from Madras to Bengal in 1861; | * Berar, Saugor & Nerbudda and [[Orissa]] passed from Madras to Bengal in 1861; | ||
* [[Baluchistan]] was acquired by Bengal between 1876-1891. | * [[Baluchistan]] was acquired by Bengal between 1876-1891. | ||
By the 1930's, when India was approaching Independence, the map of India had become as shown on the map to the right. | By the 1930's, when India was approaching Independence, the map of India had become as shown on the map to the right. | ||
Knowing which Presidency a town or city was in | Knowing which Presidency a town or city was in is important when consulting many of the [[India Office Records]] held at the [[British Library]]. | ||
Also note that administrative boundaries changed from time to time and it is important to check 'border' districts in the adjoining area. The above map is adapted from Plate 21 of the (1931) revised atlas of the [[Imperial Gazetteer of India]]. Such small scale maps cannot show every enclave of territory, and this map is not to be taken as an authority for boundaries. For more detail see the provincial maps in the Imperial Gazetteer atlas, and large scale published Survey of India topographical maps. | Also note that administrative boundaries changed from time to time and it is important to check 'border' districts in the adjoining area. The above map is adapted from Plate 21 of the (1931) revised atlas of the [[Imperial Gazetteer of India]]. Such small scale maps cannot show every enclave of territory, and this map is not to be taken as an authority for boundaries. For more detail see the provincial maps in the Imperial Gazetteer atlas, and large scale published Survey of India topographical maps. | ||
==See also== | |||
*[[Maps]] | |||
[[Category:Locations]] | [[Category:Locations]] | ||
[[Category:Presidencies| ]] | [[Category:Presidencies| ]] | ||
Revision as of 20:44, 7 September 2009
The administration of British India was divided into three Presidencies that had developed from the East India Company's factory bases.
Factories
During the 17th Century the East India Company’s major trading centres were based upon ‘factories’ at:
- Fort William at Calcutta in Bengal (established in 1690)
- Fort St George on the Coromandel Coast (established 1640)
- Bombay on the northern Malabar Coast (given by King Charles II in 1668)
Presidencies
These three factory locations developed to become the centres of Military and Political control as the Company’s influence grew during the 18th and 19th centuries and they became known as the three Presidencies of:
- Bengal - which included Burma and the Straits Settlements (Penang, Malacca and Singapore)
- Madras
- Bombay – which included Aden
Additionally, two other presidencies were established and subsequently disbanded:
Boundaries
The boundaries between the presidencies varied from time to time but their positions at the time of the Indian Mutiny are shown on the 1858 Presidency map at the top right of this page.
Following the establishment of the Raj in 1858, major changes took place;
- Berar, Saugor & Nerbudda and Orissa passed from Madras to Bengal in 1861;
- Baluchistan was acquired by Bengal between 1876-1891.
By the 1930's, when India was approaching Independence, the map of India had become as shown on the map to the right.
Knowing which Presidency a town or city was in is important when consulting many of the India Office Records held at the British Library.
Also note that administrative boundaries changed from time to time and it is important to check 'border' districts in the adjoining area. The above map is adapted from Plate 21 of the (1931) revised atlas of the Imperial Gazetteer of India. Such small scale maps cannot show every enclave of territory, and this map is not to be taken as an authority for boundaries. For more detail see the provincial maps in the Imperial Gazetteer atlas, and large scale published Survey of India topographical maps.