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 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."¹

The Writers Building in Calcutta

Career progression

In 1810, the following arrangements were reported² in place.

“After five years Writers become Factors,
after three years Junior Merchants, and
after three years further Senior Merchants,
the first of which period includes time spent at our College at Haileybury." 

By 1869, promotion through the various Civil Service grades was by length of service as this list³ shows.

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   
Fourth Class – from 9th to 12th year in India 
Fifth Class – from 5th to 8th year in India 
Sixth Class – first 4 years in India

By 1905, First Class was achieved with 30 years service, Second Class with 23 years of service, Third Class with 18 years and Fourth Class with 12 years of service.⁴

Records

Names of many applicants who petitioned for the position of writer between 1806 to 1856 are shown online at Writer’s petitions. These relate to British Library series IOR/J/1 – however, it is thought this series may be incomplete. Where a name is found and papers are held, then these often show details of parentage, educational background and date of appointment. If you find your ancestor here and are a Fibis member, then you may wish to enlist the help of our research team to access this further information.

See also further information about the Indian Civil Service here.

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Notes

¹ Anthony West, "Occupations," message to India List <india@rootsweb.com>, 07 March 2007.

² The Bengal and Agra annual guide and gazetteer, for 1841, 3rd edition, 1:240 (Calcutta: William Rushton & Co, nd). Google Books

³ "British India Records," FindMyPast (accessed online 20 October 2009). FindMyPast

⁴ The India List and the India Office List for 1905 (London: Harrison & Sons, 1905), 173-174. Google Books