Police Reforms during Colonial Rule

Published on 02 Oct 2025

Pre-Cornwallis period: Policing was done by Zamindars with the help of hired mercenaries in exchange for revenue rights.
Reforms by Cornwallis:

Under the company: Cornwallis disbanded the mercenaries, took over policing functions and replaced them with an organized police force that reported directly to the Company.
Organisation: The police force was divided into thanas or circles headed by a Daroga who was an Indian. That was the topmost position allowed for Indians.
Head of force: In the beginning, this force was headed by a District Judge but later handed over to the civil service.
Function: The main task of the police was to keep crimes under check and prevent conspiracy against British rule. In the 20th century, the police were used on a large scale mainly to contain the rising tide of national movement.

Espionage: In 1808, Mayo established a network of spies (goyendas) to aid the police force. But these spies usually exhorted local people.
The Indian Police Act,1861:

System of civil constabulary: Maintaining the village set-up by a village watchman maintained by the village but in direct relationship with the rest of the police force.
Policing in Provinces: Inspector-general as the head of a province and SP as the head of a district.

New framework: Establishment of CID (Criminal Investigation Department) in the provinces and a Central Intelligence Bureau at the Centre

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