HISTORY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION – I:Moghul Period, British Period

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Introduction To Public AdministrationMGT111

LESSON 07

HISTORY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION I

At the end of the lecture the students will be able to understand:-

1. The Management Science School

2. Understand the practice of public administration in the following periods:-

- Indus Valley Civilization

- Moghul Period

- British Period

The Management Science School

At the beginning of World War II, Great Britain desperately needed to solve complex problem in

warfare. The British formed a team of mathematician, physicists and other scientist. The British were able to

achieve technological breakthrough. When the war was over the applicability of Operations Research (OR)

to problems in industry became apparent. Over the years OR (the use of mathematic, statistics) procedure

came to called the management science. It is the application of mathematics, statistics & economic models

to the problems of organization. It also involves determining relationship between two or more variables.

For example: age and learning, income and expenditure, training and efficiency etc.

Public Administration in the Sub-Continent

Today's administrative systems and procedures in Pakistan have its roots in particular to the British

period. Two hundred years of British rule still have its vestiges and remnants on the structure, rules,

procedures and organizational behaviours. But the British changed the structure to the extent of what their

goals were in the sub-continent. The retained the structure at the district level which they inherited from

Moguls.

Sub-continent to a bedrock of many civilizations as it stood at the cross roads of Central Asia,

Middle East and South East of sea, as such is influenced by Greeks, Arabs and Central Asians.

Administrative process in Pakistan is the result of years of assimilation of the cultural and

administrative practices of Indus Valley Civilizations including Aryans, Greeks, Persian, Maurya, Moghuls

and British.

Traditional Functions of Government

Before we discuss what administrative structure existed in this part of the world, we must

understand the traditional function of the government. These functions are as follow:-

1. Maintain law and order (peace and security). For any government to rule it must maintain internal

peace and security. Without peace and security government will not be able to perform its other

functions.

2. Tax collection: It is the second but important functions governments taxes are collected to provide

for defence i.e. external threat. Also governments have to provide for welfare and public goods like

roads etc.

3. Defence: The government has to protect country from external threat and has to maintain army.

4. Maintenance of mint: Governments have to supply currency and coins. This is government's

responsibility to maintain mints & printing of notes.

Indus Valley Civilization

In the sub-continent two civilizations of ancient time i.e. Mohenjodaro and Harrapa were very

developed cities between 3250- 2750 BC. The ruins of these cities tell us that the rulers maintained a good

sewage and water supply system. The city had granary and bricks were used in the construction of houses.

Introduction To Public AdministrationMGT111

Gordon Childe writes:

The remains of many well planned streets and municipal system of drains, regularly cleaned, reflect

the vigilance of some regular municipal government. Its authority was strong enough to secure observance

of town planning bye-laws'.

"Granaries at Harrapa were constructed in planned and coordinated manner. Grain was source of

wealth and collected as taxes."

The Maurya Empire in early 4th century BC had government official who looked after agriculture

improvement, measured land and inspected irrigation system.

During this period government employees were divided into three categories:

1. District Officials were responsible for irrigation, land measurement, hunting, agriculture, roads and

distance stones.

2. Officials who dealt with military: Army was maintained to defend the borders and it was well

looked after.

3. Capital Management: There were 6 boards, each managing i) supervision of factories, ii) care of

foreigners, iii) births & deaths, iv) trade & commerce, v) inspection of manufactured articles and vi)

collection of sales tax. (Taken from Kautilya, Arthasastra, Book II, Ch. XXXVI)

The book by Kautilya is one of the oldest books on Public Administration written during Maurya

period. This book was written for the officials who were responsible for running the government, so that

they understand their duties and responsibilities.

Moghul Period

Moghul administrative system has clear imprints on the present day public management in Pakistan.

Moghul period lasted over two centuries (16th 18th), during which many rulers including Sher Shah Suri

and Akber, reigned. Though Suri was not Moghul ruler but his administrative system was adopted by

succeeding rulers. Suri, developed a centralized system of administration, divided the empire into 47

divisions, with several sub-divisions under each division. He organized survey of land under cultivation,

effective tax system, criminal justice system, Road network: for defence and postal service: He constructed

the present Grand Trunk (GT) road, which runs from Peshawar to Calcutta.

He established gardens and hospitals and promoted public welfare. He was guided by the principle

that `no one should be deprived of state benefaction and no one should have superfluity of the same'. Many

Moghul Rulers followed Sher Shah Suri. But Akber's period is longest and many developments took place.

Akber ruled the sub-continent for nearly 50 years. He developed the administrative system mainly borrowed

from Sher Shah Suri.

The empire was divided into, provinces, divisions, districts and villages. These terms are used even

now. Village was the lowest unit and it was governed by headman, accountant and watchman. The British

did not change this system and existed up to the partition of sub-continent and later.

During the time of Akbar human resource management was done. Career civil service system with

hierarchical structure existed. Entry to civil service was not restricted based on religion or geographic origin.

Akber further improved the system:

1. Revenue collection system: During Akber period revenue collection system was improved. It was

based on survey and classification of soil. The land was classified as agriculture and non-agriculture.

Within the agriculture the land was graded State tax was then fixed and charged according to the

type of soil.

2. Judicial system: Judicial Officers were appointed at the district, town and village levels.

3. Law enforcement: Kotwal (chief police officer), with only civil authority was appointed in

important towns. In rural areas faujdar (army chief) was appointed to control crime.

After Akber, for over hundred years no real administrative system could develop, mainly because

the disarray of the empire began with Jahangir, who first allowed the East India Company to set up a

factory in 1642 at Balasore for medical service provided by the Surgeon of the company on the ship.

Introduction To Public AdministrationMGT111

The East India Company, which was a trading Company and had its Board of Governors, was

granted charter on 31 Dec., 1600 to trade freely into and from East Indies, by the British Parliament.

British Period

The beginning of British Rule in the sub-continent started and the East India Company gradually

expanded its operations. In 1609 - the authority to trade was further extended. In 1661 - the Company was

empowered to declare war on and have peace with any ruler.

The Regulating Act 1773 was passed by British parliament granting the British government powers

to regulate the affairs of the Company in India. By this time the British government was not ruling directly

India. All matters and powers were given to the company to rule.

In 1757 the victory at Plassey paved the way for the British rule. There were innumerable battles

and conflict before the British government's direct rule which really started after 1857 (war of

independence).

Concepts

Traditional functions of government: maintain law & order, tax collection, defence and

maintenance of mint

Tax system:

a system that collects revenue for the government

Judicial system:

a system that interprets law and provides justice to

citizens

East India Company:

It was a company (like the multinational company of

today) that came to trade goods, especially spices. But in

the process of trade they found goods other than spice

like cotton.

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