The absence of Mandarins in India

In the 15^th and 16^th century China operated a tribute trading system across Asia. Even today some Indian palaces proudly display their Chinese made furniture. Today, after a long decline, China is raising again and so is India. But there is one stark contrast between India and China. China has had a Mandarin-led administrative system for hundreds of years while India only came into being because the British combined all the different states and kingdoms. India never has had a unified administration system and the current one is renowned for its inefficiency and corruption. And this is a important reason why India today is still plagued with weak infrastructures while China is dashing ahead, for good or worse. Slowly India is using its computer-literate people to improve its administration with paper-less offices. But India is still a long way from the well-trained Chinese Mandarin-system of ancient days.