Module 5: Naib Diwans & Revenue Administration in Bihar (1765-1780)

📖 Chapter 2 of 28 🧩 Module 5 of 7 ⏱️ ~2 min read 💡 5 MCQs

Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 5.1: The Dual Government and Revenue Councils

Upon acquiring the Diwani rights, the British implemented a system of "Dual Government" where local Indian figures managed revenue collection under British oversight:

Appointment of Shitab Roy: To manage the revenue affairs of Bihar, Robert Clive appointed an Indian noble, Raja Shitab Roy, as the Naib Diwan (Deputy Diwan) of Bihar. In 1767, the Company formalized this by removing Raja Ram Narayan and officially elevating Shitab Roy.
Three-Member Council (1766): Earlier in 1766, a three-member administrative council comprising Dhiraj Narayan, Shitab Roy, and Samuel Middleton was formed to oversee affairs. (Later, Dhiraj Narayan was removed).
Revenue Council of Patna (1770): To systematize taxation, the British established the Revenue Council of Patna (Lagan Parishad) in 1770. Its first president was James Alexander.
Inquiry into Famine: Following a devastating famine, the Company sent Sir John Shore to investigate revenue deficiencies and propose a new settlement system.
First Magistrate: To enforce law and order, Charles Francis Grand was appointed as the first British Magistrate of Patna.

Figure: The Dual Government and Revenue Councils

⭐ Key Points

Robert Clive appointed Shitab Roy as the Naib Diwan of Bihar.
In 1767, Shitab Roy fully replaced Ram Narayan/Dhiraj Narayan as Naib Diwan.
A three-member council (Dhiraj Narayan, Shitab Roy, Middleton) was formed in 1766.
The Revenue Council of Patna was established in 1770.
James Alexander served as the president of the Provincial Revenue Council in 1770.
Sir John Shore was sent to investigate revenue deficits due to famine.
Charles Francis Grand became the first British Magistrate of Patna.

📌 One-line Q&A

Question: Who was appointed as the Naib Diwan of Bihar by Robert Clive? Answer: Shitab Roy.
Question: When was the Revenue Council of Patna established? Answer: 1770.
Question: Who was the first British Magistrate of Patna? Answer: Charles Francis Grand.

Topic

Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Which Indian was appointed as the Naib Diwan of Bihar by Robert Clive?

Under the Dual Government system, Clive appointed Raja Shitab Roy to collect revenues on behalf of the Company in Bihar.

Question 2: In which year was the three-member council comprising Dhiraj Narayan, Shitab Roy, and Samuel Middleton formed in Bihar?

To oversee the nascent colonial administration smoothly, this three-member council was formed in 1766.

Question 3: When was the Revenue Council of Patna (Lagan Parishad) established in Bihar?

To directly manage and centralize the collection of land revenue, the Revenue Council of Patna was formed in 1770.

Question 4: Who was the president of the provincial Revenue Council appointed in Bihar in 1770?

James Alexander served as the first president of the newly formed Revenue Council of Patna in 1770.

Question 5: Who was sent by the Company to investigate revenue deficiencies and propose a new settlement due to the famine in Bihar?

Sir John Shore was tasked with surveying the devastating economic impact of the famine on tax collection and devising a new system.

Question 1 of 5

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Who was appointed as the Naib Diwan of Bihar by Robert Clive?

Shitab Roy.

When was the Revenue Council of Patna established?

1770.

Who was the first British Magistrate of Patna?

Charles Francis Grand.

Question 1 of 3