Encyclopaedia of Indian Politics and Administration: A Retrospective Survey (Set of 5 Volumes)

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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- Encyclopaedia of Indian Politcs and Administration-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.

SURESH K. SHARMA (b. 1946) an alumnus of Delhi University, opted for the Library profession after obtaining post- graduation in Modern Indian History and Bachelor of Library Science degree in the early seventies. Documentation, bibliography and indexing have been his special forte. He has to his credit a number of publications including Fifty Years of Indian Historical Writings, Social Sciences in Modern India, Kashmir Through the Ages, Rajasthan Through the Ages, Delhi Through the Ages, Cultural and Religious Heritage of India, Raja Rammohun Roy: An Apostle of Indian Awakening, Encyclopaedia of Higher Education, Discovery of North-East India, 1857: A Turning Point in Indian History, Haryana-Past and Present, Press in India, Documents on North-East India and Quit India Movement.

USHA SHARMA (b. 1951) after obtaining post- graduation in English Literature from Panjab University opted for the teaching profession in 1976. She has a long teaching experience and has attended many educational seminars and workshops. She has to her credit a number of publications including Kashmir Through the Ages, Women's Education in India, Rajasthan Through the Ages, Development of Child in India, Cultural and Religious Heritage of India, Marriage in Indian Society, Encyclopaedia of Higher Education, Discovery of North- East India, Child Labour in India, Female Labour in India and Documents on North-East India.

The word 'administration' signifies all the attributes which are channelised towards the systematisation and organisation of a country. In other words, it denotes the organisation and methods by which a state strives to attain its objects, and thereby the nature of the administration at any given juncture, depends to a great extent on the objects in view.

In the civilized world after the development of society, the necessities of life increased. God has bestowed varied talents to different persons and one person can not excel in all types of activities. He can not be an Engineer-cum-Doctor or an Architect- cum-Lawyer. It was this compulsion of the community living which brought together the people of distinct tastes and aptitudes. The complexities of life urged the social scientists to evolve methods of smooth living, and administration emerged as an ultimate offshoot of the community living.

Living together gives birth to misunderstanding and "isputes pertaining to land and property, personal problems and maintenance of law and order. Peaceful living is possible only through proper administration. Also, administration gives rise to rights and duties. It demarcates the limits of personal freedom so that the freedom of others may not be jeopardized. There are many facets of administration like civil administration, public administration, judicial administration, military administration and diplomatic relations. This classification has been done on the basis of specific functions. Defence of borders is the domain of military administration while general law and order, control of lawlessness, riots, etc. come under the police administration, and the cases pertaining to property and wealth and various heinous crimes like murder, robbery, theft, etc. are looked after by the judiciary.