His significant contribution in the development of the area was construction of roads, canals and cultivation and establishment of new cities / clustered habitats in inaccessible Bhawar area. He motivated business by simplifying rules and taxation and giving protection to business community. His justice system was considered to be very effective and just. Inspite of the fact that he was a foreign ruler, Sir Henry was considered to be a better ruler that many native kings and succeeded in winning public respect and affection.
One Pice (Paise) coin of 1933 (British Era) with Hole
This coin was initially a subject of joke in public in Uttarakhand as they were used to Gold or silver coins. With this coin in circulation, this joke was also popular –
Angreza tero raj chu khwat Ter Raj mei dabal mei le padi go twat (Aye angrez (Britishers) your rule is unjust hence even the coins have a hole in it).
People in the hills were always keen to get education and had always a favourable education policy from the rule of native kings. Katyuri and Chand dynasty always facilitated education for all those deserved.
In 1923, Commissioner Trail wrote to British Govt. “There are no general schools in Kumaon. Private schools are there which impart high quality education to its pupils. The teachers are Brahmin Pandits who teach language and mathematics. Children of high class Brahmins learn ‘sanskrit’ and go to Kashi for higher studies where they are taught as per hind religion.”
Mr Barren, who got the deed of Nainital signed in the name of Company by terrorizing the Thokdar nar Sigh during boating in Naini Lake writes in his book ‘Himmala’ in 1840 “All the paharis, however poor , could read and write”.
Education system and establishment, like all other, were demolished during Gorkha Raj. Inspite, there were 121 Hindi / Sanskrit schools in Kumaon alone and a lot more if included those in Garhwal. These schools were in personal houses of Brahmins. Out of these 121 schools, 54 did not charge any fee.
Mr Thorton wrote in 1850, “there were 522 students in these 121 school. Apart from these 121, there was one more school which taught Urdu language. In 1840, a school was opened in Srinagar. Teachers were paid Rs 5 per month from ‘Lawarish fund’. Later, as per the recommendations of Calcutta Education Samiti, two more schools were opened; one in Kumaon with a monthly budget expenditure of Rs 20 and another in Garhwal with Rs 15 per month expenditure granted to it.
In 1857, Education department was constituted in Kumaon, which was known as ‘Kumaon Circle’. In September 1858, schools were opened at Someshwar, Dhalarh, Satrali, Dwarahat and Nirai and in 1859 at Champawat, Bhikiyasain, Pithoragarh, Gangolihat, Syalde, Ganai, Bhikiyasaid and Deghat.
In 1871, Pandit Biddhi Ballabh Pant as Education Inspector replaced Major Garden. At that time, there were 2 middle schools and 116 primary schools with a total student count of 8488 and in 1889 when he left, there were 17 middle schools and 204 primary schools with 10927 pupils. This was a phenomenal progress.