Thomas Munro and the Development of Administrative Policy in Madras 1792–1818

This book was originally published in 1966. The great territorial acquisitions made by the British in South India at the end of the eighteenth century called for an administrative system differing in many ways from that in use in Bengal. These changes influenced subsequent administrative practice not only in Madras but in the whole of British India. Although it had long been recognised that Thomas Munro was in part responsible for the changes, this was the first full study of how his ideas developed and how much they were his alone. Dr Beaglehole's study added greatly to the knowledge of the personality and ideas of one of the key figures in British India. The analysis of the controversy and discussion which took place at the time also provided an insight into the nature of British rule in India.