Paper Details

Abstract: This study investigates the role and functions of British Commissioners in the princely state of Cooch Behar between 1789 and 1883, a period marked by increasing British political influence and administrative intervention. Following the treaty-based relationship established between the East India Company and the Cooch Behar monarchy in the late eighteenth century, British officials gradually assumed greater responsibility in supervising the state's governance, particularly during periods of political instability, minority rule, and administrative reorganization. The research examines how Commissioners acted as intermediaries between the colonial government and the ruling Maharajas, ensuring political stability while safeguarding British strategic and economic interests. The study analyses the Commissioners' involvement in revenue administration, judicial reform, financial supervision, law and order, public works, and institutional development. It also evaluates their influence on policy formulation, bureaucratic restructuring, and the introduction of modern administrative practices. While these interventions contributed to greater administrative efficiency and fiscal discipline, they simultaneously reduced the autonomy of the indigenous monarchy and expanded colonial authority within the princely state. Using archival documents, administrative reports, correspondence, government proceedings, and relevant historical literature, the research adopts a historical-analytical approach to assess both the achievements and limitations of the Commissioner's administration. The study argues that British Commissioners played a decisive role in reshaping the governance of Cooch Behar by combining indirect colonial control with institutional modernization. This period represents a significant phase in the political and administrative transformation of the princely state and provides valuable insight into the nature of colonial intervention in regional governance.

Keywords: ‘Administration,’ ‘Administrative Reforms’, ‘British Commissioners’ ,‘Cooch Behar’,‘Colonial Governance’,‘East India Company’,‘Judicial Administration’,‘Princely State’,‘Revenue Administration’