Compare and contrast the impact of the policies of Bentinck and Dalhousie in India.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the impact of the policies of Bentinck and Dalhousie referring to both throughout. Candidates may refer to socio-cultural, political, economic, military and religious similarities and differences. For example, Dalhousie followed expansionist military policies as seen through aggressive wars in Punjab and Burma whereas Bentinck reduced the military budget. Inspired by the philosophy of utilitarianism, Bentinck carried on social reforms such as the abolition of Sati and Thuggee. Dalhousie introduced the Caste Disabilities Act, reflecting discrimination to non-Christians and the Doctrine of Lapse, which unfairly annexed territory if a local ruler died without a natural heir. Both believed in modernization: Dalhousie supported developments in transport and communication and Bentinck reformed the court system and encouraged western-style education. Both similarities and differences must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal number of each.