Census

The colonial government in India reformed the administration in many ways, one of which was the introduction of census. The government could now assess the growth of population, their caste and their religion. It was decided that census should take place after every ten years.

In England it was first introduced in 1801. In India, the first census took place in 1881. On the basis of caste, community and tribe, the government divided the Indian society into many categories. Landlords were in the first class; advocates, teachers, doctors, engineers, and government employees were in the middle; while peasants, labourers, artisans were in the lower class.

Census showed the growth of population and the migration of people from rural areas to urban centres. It also pointed out that the middle class population shifted from one city to another because of better opportunities of employment.

Municipality

The government, following the tradition of Europe, introduced the municipal system in Indian cities. Its main functions were to make the city clean and to administer educational institutions and hospitals.

In addition, they erected a clock tower in the centre of the city to give the locals a sense of the importance of time.

In the past, important buildings used to be forts and religious buildings, however, with things now in control of the British, the government gave more importance to secular buildings such as banks, corporate buildings, railway station, etc.

Other reforms included the supply of water through pipes to major cities; earlier, the streets, at night were lit by oil lamps, whereas under the new rulers, gas lamps were used. As these reforms provided comfort to the people, the government earned more respect and loyalty.

Education

The government gave especial attention to education in order to change the minds of the young generation, as well as to bring more educated people in their administration. Therefore, it opened primary schools in every district where special attention was given to English language; yet the medium of education remained the local languages.

The curriculum was approved by the government. In the end of textbooks, there used to be a chapter which highlighted all the achievements of English government and its goodness towards the local people. As the government established universities and colleges throughout India, private colleges also emerged; for example, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan established the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh; which later became Aligarh Muslim University.

Educational institutions gave birth to a new educated class in India; this class of people adopted western ideas and thoughts, and also developed a sense of freedom which resulted in the movement for independence. Consequently, in 1947, the English had to divide India.

The English ruled the country from 1757 to 1947. They established the third great empire in India after the Mauryan and the Mughals.