Encyclopaedia of Indian Politics and Administration (5 Volumes)

Administration has its own importance in the study of a country's history. Through-out the ages, it has been an integral part of the development process and played a significant role in the gigantic task of national development. Apart from maintaining law and order, it has a definite role in accomplishing the socio-economic and other needs of the society. The concept of administration has been undergoing radical changes all over the globe because of the new ideas, ideals, aspirations, and thought processes besides scientific and technological imperatives. In ancient and medieval India, administration was less complex; the needs of the society were simple. In colonial India, the administrators kept in view the interests of their masters for whom they were serving. However, in independent India, the accelerated pace with which our country too has progressed in the industrial and electronic era, the whole concept of administration in course of time has witnessed a sea change. The interest of common man in the welfare of society became the focus of administrative process. It is interesting to note that with a view to facilitate the smooth and orderly ruling of society, a number of committees/commissions have been instituted during the alien regime as well as in independent India. Hence, after making a retrospective survey of the voluminous literature scattered in different places, the present venture - Politcs and Administration in India - has been carefully and systematically conceived into the five segments. It is hoped that this attempt will surely be consulted by administrators, politicians, historians, and others in the Indian sub-continent and elsewhere.