Indian Imperial Police: The Law Enforcement Arm of the British Raj
The Indian Imperial Police (officially the Imperial Police or I.P.) served as the primary uniform police administration during the British Raj. Established under the Government of India Act 1858 and the Police Act 1861, the force was created largely as a response to the instability and danger the British experienced during the 1857 Revolution.
At its peak in 1920, the Imperial Indian police contingent numbered 310,000 officers. This massive force was tasked with policing a population of over 300 million people across territories that now comprise India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Burma.
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Key Facts
- Established: Via the Government of India Act 1858 and Police Act 1861.
- Scale: 310,000 officers policing 300 million people by 1920.
- Structure: Divided into Superior Police Services and Subordinate Police Services.
- Transition: Replaced by the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1948.
- Reach: Acted as the primary law enforcement in Burma until 1937.
Organizational Structure and Evolution
The Imperial Police was split into two distinct branches: the Superior Police Services and the Subordinate Police Service. Historically, the senior grades—such as Assistant District Superintendent and above—were primarily filled by European officers from the Indian Army until 1893.
From 1893 onward, appointments to these senior roles were largely handled through examinations for the Indian Civil Service tests conducted in the UK. While the higher ranks remained predominantly European for decades, the Subordinate Police Service was composed mainly of Indians.
Demographic Shifts in Leadership
The composition of the officer corps shifted gradually over the early 20th century. In 1924, out of a sanctioned strength of 743 I.P. officers, only 77 (10%) were Indian. By 1946, the sanctioned strength was 721, with Indian representation increasing to 221 officers (30%).
Authority and Intelligence
By the 1930s, the force exercised an unprecedented level of authority within the colonial administration. Beyond standard law enforcement, the Indian Police also served as a routine source of cadres for MI5 (the UK's domestic counter-intelligence agency) prior to World War II.
Hierarchy of Ranks
The rank structure was rigid, with the Inspector General serving as the highest authority in each province. According to the Central Warrant of Precedence in 1937, the rank of Inspector General was equated with a Brigadier in the Indian Armed Forces.
| Service Branch | Rank | Primary Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Services | Inspector General of Police | Head of the state police |
| Deputy Inspector General / Commissioner | Head of Range Police or major cities (e.g., Bombay, Calcutta) | |
| Superintendent of Police | Head of District Police | |
| Assistant Superintendent of Police | Head of sub divisional Police | |
| Subordinate Services | Deputy Superintendent of Police | Head of sub divisional Police |
| Inspector of Police | Head of circle Police | |
| Sub Inspector of Police | Head of Police station | |
| Sergeant | City forces and cantonments | |
| Head Constable / Naik | Supervisory constabulary | |
| Constable | General duty |
George Orwell and the Imperial Police
One of the most famous members of the force was Eric Blair, known globally as George Orwell. Orwell served in the Indian Imperial Police in Burma from November 27, 1922, to July 12, 1927. He attained the rank of Assistant District Superintendent, serving first in Insein and later in Moulmein.
Orwell's time in the police profoundly shaped his political and social views. He described his experience as being in contact with "the dirty work of Empire at close quarters." This period inspired several of his literary works, including the essay "A Hanging" (1931), the novel Burmese Days (1934), and the essay "Shooting an Elephant" (1936).
Notable Members
- George Orwell
- Charles Tegart
- Percival Griffiths
- James Alexander Scott
- John P. Saunders
- T. Ramachandra Rao
- Bhola Nath Mullik
- Panchanan Ghoshal
- Qazi Azizul Haque
- Hem Chandra Bose
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Indian Imperial Police created?
The force was established following the 1857 Revolution to provide a uniform system of police administration and to mitigate the dangers faced by the British during the uprising.
When did the Imperial Police transition to the Indian Police Service?
In 1948, one year after India gained independence, the Imperial Police Service was replaced by the Indian Police Service (IPS) as part of the All-India Services established by the Constitution.
What was the role of the Imperial Police in Burma?
The Indian Imperial Police served as the primary law enforcement agency in Burma while it was governed as a province of India, a status that continued until 1937.
How were senior officers recruited after 1893?
After 1893, most senior officers (Assistant District Superintendent and above) were appointed based on their performance in the Indian Civil Service tests held in the United Kingdom.
What was the relationship between the I.P. and British intelligence?
Before World War II, the Indian Police routinely provided personnel to serve as cadres for MI5, the British security service.