Writer

A writer was the lowest occupation in the East India Company. They were the clerks who maintained the ledgers and records of the Company, but who if they lived long enough become very rich and powerful progressing through the ranks of the Company service. Even after the demise of the Company around 1860, clerks in the Indian Civil Service were termed, unofficially at least, writers. The term was/is also used in the Royal Navy for clerks.

Contributed to the India list by Anthony West, March 7, 2007

Promotion is by length of service. Civil Service grades are as follows:

• First Class – from 34th year of service in India
• Second Class – from 21st to 34th year in India
• Third Class – from 13th to 20th year in India - Senior Merchant
• Fourth Class – from 9th to 12th year in India - Junior Merchant
• Fifth Class – from 5th to 8th year in India - Factor
• Sixth Class – first 4 years in India - Writer