 The "ODNB" notes that during his time in India Risley's work legitimised an inquisitive methodology which had previously been resented by the colonial subjects and that 

Back in England, having left the ICS in February 1910, Risley was appointed Permanent Secretary of the judicial department of the India Office, succeeding Charles James Lyall.In January of that same year he became President of the Royal Anthropological Institute.According to Crooke, "the strain of [overseeing the Provincial Council reforms] on a constitution which at no time was robust doubtless laid the seeds of the fatal disease which was soon to end his life."