Abstract

This paper by Arkaja Singh looks to examine the evolution of local self-government and municipal institutions in colonial India, exploring the dynamics of colonial governance and native political aspirations. It emphasizes the limited suffrage that characterized municipal participation, where property owners primarily influenced governance, reflecting both ethnic and social divisions. The study emphasizes the tension between the colonial state and local self-governing bodies, revealing how municipal institutions served as sites of political contestation and engagement for emerging middle classes. Despite colonial attempts to foster native political leadership, these institutions often exhibited contradictions, particularly as nationalist sentiments grew more pronounced. The author assesses the transitional nature of local governance post-1857, noting that municipal bodies increasingly became arenas for political training, social mobility, and civic engagement.

The author offers a critique of the notion of decentralisation as mere financial expediency, arguing instead for a nuanced understanding of its political significance. It calls for further exploration of the historical contexts influencing contemporary municipal politics in India, especially concerning their evolution since the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments. Overall, the paper looks to contribute to the discourse of the historical trajectories of urban local self-governance and the implications of the same on present-day governance in India.

Singh, A. (2010). Local self-government in colonial India: self-government by the natives and the development of municipal institutions. Bengaluru: Centre for Budget and Policy Studies.