Magistrates and Collectors
The Collector (or Collector-Magistrate)was the chief administrative official in the Indian Civil Service of a District or Indian Zillah.
He controlled a small province of several million inhabitants and is personally responsible to the Government for the area.
In this role he acts magistrate and assigns to subordinates other responsibilities
- some criminal cases / the division of district jurisdiction
- treasury work,
- excise collection,
- measuring and assessing landed estates for taxation,
- property belonging to minors, and to Wards of Court.
In addition he is head of police, and controls the local jail, chairs Municipal Committees / Local Boards for hospitals, schools especially vernacular schools. He reports infectious diseases, provides temporary military encampments grounds and provision of rations for the troops. He will carry out baptisms when clergy not available. Where a railway exists. Public Works Dept were also a responsiblity.
External links
District Collector Wikipedia
"The Bengal Civil Service" Details of the role of Collector-Magistrate