Approach to the answer: 

Understanding the question: The question talks about the changes in British administration post 1857 revolt. Here, we need to look at each aspect of administration, compare the changes with Pre - 1857 administration (wherever applicable).

Introduction: We can introduce the answer by mentioning about the 1857 revolt in brief.

Body: Since the directive in the question is to give comparative analysis, we have to first talk about the changes introduced by the British and then state how it differed from pre – 1857 revolt administration. 

Conclusion: We can conclude by summarizing the arguments of body section by providing impact of these changes or by stating how these changes ultimately aided in fueling nationalism in India.

Parameters 

Pre-Revolt Situation 

Post-1857 Revolt Changes

Government of India Act,

1858

The country was governed by the East India Company and the post of Governor General of India was prevalent.

● The Government of India Act 1858 declared Queen Victoria as the sovereign of British India and provided for the appointment of a Secretary of State for India (a member of the British cabinet). It also changed the name of post- of Governor General of India by the Viceroy of India. The Viceroy was appointed directly by the British government. The first Viceroy of India was Lord Canning

● The direct responsibility for the administration of the country was assumed by the British Crown and Company rule was abolished.

New Policy towards the Princely states

Before 1857, the British had availed themselves of every opportunity to annex princely states. 

The earlier policy of annexation was now abandoned, and the rulers of these states were now authorised to adopt heirs. 

Military Policy

● There was no concept of martial and non-martial races.

● The number of Indian soldiers (at lower rank) were significantly higher when compared to Europeans.

• The Army was thoroughly reorganised and British military policy came to be dominated by the idea of “division and counterpoise”. Changes included:
• The number of Indian soldiers was drastically reduced.
• Recruits were to be drawn from the ‘martial’ races of Punjab, Nepal, and north-western frontier.

Administrative Changes

● The concept of a

merit based modern

Civil Service in India

was introduced in

1854.

• The Indian Civil Service Act of 1861 was passed, which was to give an impression that under the British all were equal, irrespective of race or creed.
• However, the detailed rules framed for the conduct of the civil service examination had the effect of keeping the higher services a close preserve of the colonisers.

Policy of

Divide and

Rule

No such policy was officially

used by the British. If existed,

it's used was not so prevalent.

The policy of divide and rule started in earnest after the Revolt of 1857. The British used one class/community against another unscrupulously. Thus, socially, there was irremediable deterioration.

• For instance, in the army the policy was used as the ‘martial’ races vs non-martial races whereas socially it was Muslims vs Hindus.

Conservative Liberalism

Pre-1857, British tried reform-

ing/eradicating social evils in

India. It was done due to the

belief of racial superiority and

human consideration.

This entails solid support of the conservative and aristocratic classes of England who advocated complete non-interference in the traditional structure of Indian society.

Racial Hatred

The racial hatred was subtle but after the 1857 revolt it became crude.

• Racial hatred and suspicion between the Indians and the English increased tenfold.
• For instance, the newspapers and journals in Britain picturised the Indians as subhuman creatures, who could be kept in check only by superior force.