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"A writer was Originally the lowest occupation in most junior employee of the [[East India Company]]whilst it was a trading company. They were the clerks who maintained the ledgers and records of the CompanyLater, 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 1860as it became involved in administration, clerks in it retained the [[Indian Civil Service]] were termed, unofficially at least, writersterm "writer" for its most junior civil servants. The term was/is also used in the [[Royal Navy]] for clerks."<sup>1</sup>
See also further information about the Indian Civil Service [[Indian Civil Service|here]].== References ==<references />
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==== Notes ====
<sup>1</sup> Anthony West, "Occupations," message to ''India List'' <india@rootsweb.com>, 07 March 2007.
<sup>2</sup> ''The Bengal and Agra annual guide and gazetteer, for 1841'', 3rd edition, 1:240 (Calcutta: William Rushton & Co, nd). [http://books.google.com/books?id=6iQoAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA240 Google Books]
<sup>3</sup> "British India Records," [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/help-and-advice/knowledge-base/overseas-military/british-india#6 FindMyPast] (accessed online 23 March 2012).
<sup>4</sup> ''The India List and the India Office List for 1905'' (London: Harrison & Sons, 1905), 173-174. [http://books.google.com/books?id=3VQTAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA173 Google Books]
Add PAB and amend cites
[[Image:Writers Building Calcutta.jpg|thumb|300px|right|''The Writers Building in Calcutta'']]
== Career progression ==
In 1810, the following arrangements were reported<sup>2</sup> 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]]." <ref>''The Bengal and Agra annual guide and gazetteer, for 1841'', 3rd edition, 1:240 (Calcutta: William Rushton & Co, nd). [http://books.google.com/books?id=6iQoAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA240 Google Books]</ref>
By 1869, promotion through the various Civil Service grades was by length of service as this list<sup>3</sup> shows.
:First Class – from 34th year of service 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<ref>"British India Records," [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/help-and-advice/knowledge-base/overseas-military/british-india#6 FindMyPast] (accessed online 23 March 2012).</ref>
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.<supref>4''The India List and the India Office List for 1905'' (London: Harrison & Sons, 1905), 173-174. [http://books.google.com/books?id=3VQTAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA173 Google Books]</supref>
==Records==
Names of many applicants who petitioned for the position of writer between 1806 to 1856 are shown online at [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059-iorj_2&cid=1-1-1#1-1-1 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.
== Related articles ==
*[[Indian Civil Service]].
[[Category:Occupations]]
[[Category:Government and Administration]]
[[Category:Glossary]]
