Rouse-Boughton (Sir Charles William) Manuscript Dissertation

Rouse-Boughton (Sir Charles William) Manuscript 'Dissertation concerning the landed property of Bengal', 4to, unbound, in later marbled paper folder, comprising 327 numbered pages in manuscript [the final work published 1791], comprising a manuscript title and index, research notes in ink and pencil, several letters presenting the final work to eminent contemporaries, e.g. 'Mulgrave' [likely Constantine John Phipps, 2nd Baron Mulgrave (1744–1792)], Dr. Robertson, Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India, Mr Hamilton, signed 'Charlotte H', etc.; with a gathering of 8 pages in manuscript (30cm x 19cm) on the history of Bengal and the Hindoos [sic]

Sir Charles William Rouse-Boughton, (1747-1821), thence by descent to the present owner

Charles William Boughton Rouse published his influential Dissertation Concerning the Landed Property of Bengal in 1791. It defended the zamindari system, arguing that zamindars held legitimate proprietary rights rather than acting as mere tax collectors, which helped shape the debates leading to the 1793 Permanent Settlement...

Boughton went to India at the age of seventeen in 1764, in the employ of the Indian Board in Bengal. Thirteen years later he had risen to become the chief representative in Dacca, a post he retained until 1778 when he returned to England. In this country he continued as a civil servant and then became Member of Parliament for Evesham. Having inherited two baronetcies he was created the same title in his own right in 1791. From 1799 until his death in 1821 he was a Commissioner for Public Accounts at what is now the Public Audit Office. In 1784 he had been appointed Secretary to the Board of Control for India and held the post until 1791. As well as his official duties, while in India he became a Persian scholar and retained an interest in Indian affairs throughout his life.