Public Administration is a newly emerged discipline compare to other Social Sciences discipline. In Ancient Greek, Roman and Indian political system gave more importance to the concept of Public Administration. Public Administration has gained immense importance since the emergence of Administrative state. But as an area of study it originated, with the publication of Wilson’s essay on study of Administration in 1887. As a process, administration occurs in both public and private organisations.

1. Introduction to Bangladesh Public
Administration
Dr. Md. Ruhul Amin
Associate Professor
Department of Public Administration
Comilla University, Cumilla.
Mail ID: rubelcou@gmail.com
Cell No. 01712-290298.

2. Introduction to Public Administration
 Public Administration is a newly emerged discipline compare to other
Social Sciences discipline.
 In Ancient Greek, Roman and Indian political system gave more
importance to the concept of Public Administration.
Public Administration has gained immense importance since the
emergence of Administrative state.
 But as an area of study it originated, with the publication of Wilson’s
essay on study of Administration in 1887.
 As a process, administration occurs in both public and private
organisations.

3. What is Administration?
Administration
The word “administer” is derived from the Latin word administere,
which means to care for or to look after people, to manage affairs.
 Felix A. Nigro “Administration is the organisation and use of men and
materials to accomplish a purpose”.
 J.M. Pfiffner and R. Presthus “Administration is the organisation and
direction of human and material resources to achieve desired ends”.
 Luther Gullick “Administration has to do with getting things done,
with the accomplishment of defined objectives”.

4. What is Public Administration?
 Government action is Public Administration.
 Public Administration refers to that part of administration, which
pertains to the administrative activities of the government.
 Woodrow Wilson “Public administration is the detailed and systematic
application/execution of public law”.
 L.D. White “Public administration consists of all those operations
having for their purpose the fulfilment or enforcement of public policy”.
 M.E. Dimock “Public Administration is concerned with “what” and
“how” of the government.

5. Scope of Public Administration
 Public Administration embraces all the activities of the government. The scope
of public administration as a discipline, that is subject of studies, comprises of the
following:
a. Planning means the working out in broad outline the things to be done, the
methods to be adopted to accomplish the purpose.
b. Organisation means the establishment of the formal structure of authority
through which the work is sub-divided, arranged, defined and coordinated.
c. Staffing means the recruitment and training of the personnel and their
conditions of work.
d. Directing means making decisions and issuing orders and instructions.
e. Coordinating means inter-relating the work of various divisions, sections
and other parts of the organisation.
f. Reporting means informing the superiors within the agency to whom the
executive is responsible about what is going on.

6. Historical Background of Public Administration in Bangladesh
The evolution of the current structure of public administration in
Bangladesh can be divided into five historical phase.-
 Ancient Period
 Medieval Period
 British Period
 Pakistan Period
 Bangladesh Period

7. Historical Background of Public Administration in Bangladesh
I. Ancient Period: Ancient period divided into four phases-
a) The Vedic:
b) The early Vedic
c) The Mouryan
d) The post Mouryan
The Vedic period: There was no bureaucratic administration in its true sense
during the early vedic States were tribal in origin, kings had no permanent
administration due to limited sovereignty.
The Mouryan: During Mauryan Dynasty ancient India developed an efficient
administrative system Resembling means principles of modern bureaucracy.
The Maurya was the first welfare state in India provincial, Legislative, Judicial,
Military Functions introduce in this periods. Decentralization of power to local
administrative units introduced in post Mauryan Period.

8. Historical Background of Public Administration in Bangladesh
2. Medieval Period:
 Like ancient period, the sultanate administration has field administration in
province, division, district.
The province was the heart of the local administration.
Both military and revenue was the major functions in the provinces.
 The Mughal Administration was the most centralize. The Wakil was the head
of the whole administrative system.

9. Historical Background of Public Administration in Bangladesh
3. British Period:
Bangladesh Public Administration is similar as British Structure. British period
known as the Indianization. This process divided into four phases-
A. First Phase [1757-1833]: The 1st phases of development of civil service startled
with The system of patronage, training of writership, regular yearly test
examination and constitute a separate board of examiners.
B. Second Phase [1833-1853]: 1) Cahrter act. 1833; and 2) Establishment board of
control which was a parliamentary body for revise the number of candidates to
be recruited annually, provide estimated vacancy, certify the total number of
candidates to be nominated for admission to the Haileyburry College.
C. Third Phase [1853-1892]: A number of important changes took place in civil
service management during this phase.
D. Fourth Phase [1900-1947]:Through the 4th phase there were various
recommendations of the royal commission. Lee commission and Indian act.
1935.

10. Historical Background of Public Administration in Bangladesh
4. Pakistan Period:
Civil Service of Pakistan started in 1947 and continue to 1971.
The CSP and other central services until 1956 were constituted under
the provisional order 1947.
Initial Composition of CSP: Initially the CSP Consisted of the following
a. Officers of former ICS and former Indian Political service employed
in Pakistan.
b. Officers of Pakistan Administrative Services.
c. Officers to be recruited on the basis of adhoc from the provincial
civil services through viva exam.