By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such regulation?

The correct answer is C.

Explanation: C) Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person. This is the primary reason. Cornwallis was a strong proponent of the separation of powers, influenced by Enlightenment ideals. He believed that combining executive (revenue collection) and judicial functions in one individual could lead to arbitrary rule, abuse of power, and injustice. His reforms aimed to establish a system based on the rule of law, where these powers were distinct.

A) While increased efficiency might have been a secondary benefit, it was not the main reason for the separation. Cornwallis's reforms were driven more by principles of governance and preventing abuse of power than by mere administrative efficiency in revenue collection.

B) While it is true that judicial power was increasingly concentrated in European hands and Indians were largely excluded from higher posts, the reason for depriving the Collector of judicial power was not primarily to create roles for Indians in revenue collection, but to separate the functions themselves based on a principle of governance.

D) While judicial work did require specific knowledge and training, the fundamental reason for the separation was not the Collector's perceived inability to acquire this knowledge, but the inherent undesirability of combining executive and judicial authority in one person, regardless of their individual capabilities. Cornwallis's solution was to create a separate, specialized judicial service.