ARRIVAL, EXPANSION

& CONTROL OF THE

BRITISH
1750-1850
What was the East India
Company? [4]
The EIC was an organization or company, mainly
associated with trade. At first the company was private
but later interference grew as the government of Britain
strived to take control or back up the company. EIC
was established in 1600 when the Queen Elizabeth I
granted permission to a group of merchants. The EIC
was given the monopoly in trade between the Britain
and areas east of Africa. Later EIC turned to India and
landed first at Surat in 1608.
Why was EIC interested in India?
[7]
◦The EIC got interested in India because of many reasons. There were accounts written by
the travelers of the immense wealth of the Mughals. The extravagant lifestyle of Indians lords
and their glorious way of life greatly impressed the Europeans. They realized that in India
there were fortunes to be made as many things and eatables were available here that
couldn’t be grown in Britain because of climate. So for this EIC got interested in India.
◦Because of the fact that many spices could be grown in India, the Europeans realized that
enormous fortunes could be made. Merchants bought spices from India at a cheap cost
and then sold them at enormous high prices in Britain. In the coming years, Indian clothes
became very popular back at Britain. Indian cotton particularly was considered highly
luxurious. Indian spices could be sold to an 80% profit in Europe. So for this EIC got interested
in India.
◦Side by side, the British EIC not only wanted to trade but also to gain influence in areas of
politics. They initially had colonies in many areas and now saw India as an opportunity to
gain power. They were willing to enhance the political influence back at India. This was the
main reason why the British helped EIC to defeat trade rivals and also to go to war against
the local Indian rulers. So for this EIC got interested in India.
Reasons
◦ Trade Opportunities ---- Spices, cotton, silk etc.
◦Wealth Opportunities ---- Golden Sparrow
◦Imperialism ---- colonialism
◦Climate ----- favourable
Why was the EIC welcomed in
India? [7]
◦The EIC was greatly welcomed in India. One reason being that the Indian
Government was highly benefited from the trade. EIC was paying heavy taxes which
really made the government happy. The money coming in was immense and stabilizing
the economy because of which EIC was welcomed.
◦The local traders were benefiting too. The raw materials were bought by the EIC in
great amount and the traders were getting huge profits. Silver boats were sent from
Britain as payment. Traders getting rich through trade was a reason for the welcome
of the EIC.
◦Furthermore, the Indians got fond of the items the British brought with them. The
Indians previously didn’t even knew about the existence of these items for e.g.
weapons of various kind; and got excited when saw them and welcomed the British
in India.
Why British wanted to involve in
the affairs of India? [7]
◦There were 3 main reasons why British wanted to get involved in Indian affairs.
◦First of all, they were earning huge profits from their trade in India. This money was
not only making EIC officials rich, the British government realized its importance as it
was earning 1/10th of the total British revenue due to which they were quick to get
involved.
◦Secondly, they wanted to defeat other European trading companies in India. Like the
British, French, Dutch and Portuguese were trading in India. The British wanted to get rid
of these Europeans from Indian monopoly and therefore they got involved.
◦Thirdly the British realized that they were too over powered. When the British arrived in
India they saw the weak position of the Mughals. After Aurangzeb, they were weak
and got into pleasure seeking. They also saw the declining military expertise of the
Mughals which ensured them that they could easily and gradually take control of
India, so they got involved in the affairs if India
Why did the British government
took control over India? [7]
◦The British government took control over India for 3 main reasons.
◦Firstly, the huge profits that they were earning from trade in India compelled them. This
money was making 1/10th of the total British revenue and was very important due to
which they took control to make all the money earned to be their rather than a mere
tax amount.
◦Secondly, an important reason was the exploitation of Bengal. The British were
embarrassed at this work and greed of the EIC as it was against the orders of British
Government. Because of the EIC there was famine in Bengal, that was one of the richest
province of Hindustan. To stop such a scene of anarchy in Bengal The British Government
took control over India.
◦Thirdly they wanted to spread their paramount western culture. The British considered the
Indians as uncivilized people, who needed masters to control them. The British thought
themselves as the masters, thus considering it their duty to civilize them and do their work.
To spread their superior western culture was a reason why the British took control.
What role did EIC play in the
decline of Mughal Empire? [4]
The Mughal empire was already in a serious decline during the end of the 18th
century. EIC gained wealth from India through trade until the time of Jahangir. EIC
was c ontrolled by Britain, a very powerful country, with industries manufacturing goods
for the whole world. This much wealth was enough to afford the military strength for the
fight which they put against the Mughals. Slowly and gradually the Mughals lost power
and the British gained it. The final end of the Mughal empire can as a result of the war
of independenc e in 1857.
Who was Robert Clive? [4]
Robert Clive was a British general, who helped the EIC to defeat the French and take
advantage of India’s unsettled conditions to increase British influence and control.
After winning the Battle of Plassey, Robert Clive was made the Governor of Bengal but
his opponents in Britain carried an investigation into his behavior in India. Although he
was not found guilty of the charge of plundering India. The disgrace coupled with his
addiction to opium and caused him to take his own life in 1773.
What happened at Plassey in
1757? [4]
In 1756 the French encouraged the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah to attack the EIC
Base at Calcutta. He Captured the city, but was unable to keep control of it. In 1757
Clive arrived with a force of EIC Soldiers and Defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah troops in the
Battle of Plassey. The Nawab’s body was founded in a river after the Battle. Clive’s
Victory was made easy by the Treachery of Siraj-ud- Daulah’s general, Mir Jafir. The EIC
rewarded him by making him Nawab Of Bengal.
What happened at the Battle of
Bauxer? [4]
The historic battle fought between the British and the Indian forces resulted in victory for
the British. The three combined army forces of Mir Qasim (Bengal), Shuja-ud- Daulah
(Awadh), and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam I met with a crushing defeat under the
hands of Major Munro. It was Robert Clive who brought the victory for the British. After
this the EIC was unstoppable.
Who was Sirajuddaulah? [4]
Siraj-ud-Daulah was an Indian Nawab who started ruling Bengal when he was 19 years
old. He attacked the British at Fort William and they were not ready for the attack
which resulted in panic, chaos and after all defeat. He fought Robert Clive at the
battle of Plassey with the aid of French. During the battle Sira j’s a mmunition got wet
so the battle was lost. Siraj escaped and returned to his capital, bundled his
belongings and disappeared. Later, he was caught and humiliated.
Who was Mir Jafar? [4]
Mir Jafar was the first Nawab of Bengal under British influence. An Arab by birth, he rose
to power in the Nawab’s army and in the battle of Plassey (1756) he conspired with
the British to depose Siraj-ud-Dulah to become the Nawab himself. He was the army
general of Nawab’s army.
What was the Pitts India Act? [4]
Pitt's India Act 1784 or the East India Company Act 1784 was passed in the British
Parliament to rectify the defects of the Regulating Act 1773. It resulted in dual
control or joint government in India by Crown in Great Britain and the British East India
Company, with crown having ultimate authority. Board of control was established to
maintain the civil, military and revenue affairs of the company; the members of the
Governor General's council in India were reduced to three members; the civil and
military officers were asked to disclose the details of their assets.
Who was Titu Mir? [4]
Titu Mir was a great Bengali freedom fighter who led the people against the oppression
of zamindar and the British colonial system. In 1822, he went on a pilgrimage ,returning
in 1827 , he was determined to free Bengal from un-Islamic practices and British rule .
He raised an army of 15000 followers, built a bamboo fort and defeated British forces
sent to destroy it. Next, British sent an army including cavalry and cannon. Titu Mirs
forces could not withstand the power of British modern weapons. Many soldiers along
with Titu Mir were killed after few days of fierce fighting
How did the British take over
the province of Sindh? [4]
The British were fearful of the Russia n expansion intoAfghanistan so much that
the British agreed with the ruler of Punjab Ranjit Sindh that Afghanistan should remain
independent. The British hoped the Ranjit would help them establish a Pro-British rule in
Kabul but that did not Happen. So British went ahead of their own and the rebellion
resulted in all British troops in country being killed. British felt that their pride was hurt so
they dec ided to annex Sindh. In 1843 British General, Sir Napier provoked the Amir so
much that they attacked the British Residency, and the British defeated them and
annexed Sindh.
Describe the annexation of the
Punjab. [4]
Ranjit Singh had signed a treaty of perpetual friendship in 1809 but, a fter his death in
1839, rival chief a rgued amongst themselves over who should be the king. The Sikhs
were worried that the British would invade the Punjab and so launched an attack on
the British. The British defeated the Sikhs a t the Battle of Aliwal in Janua ry 1846 a nd
forced them to sign the Treaty of Lahore. The Sikhs had to cede land to the British
and pay a huge indemnity.
What was the Doctrine of
Lapse? [4]
The Doctrine of lapse was used by or applied by Lord Dalhousie to extend British
control even further. Whenever a ruler died without a natural heir the British would
annex his land, because of this the policy grew unpopular and caused much
resentment. Especially in 1856 Nawab of Oudh died and his land were seized by British
who declared that the Nawab governed his people badly. Moreover, this showed that
the British were now dominant in India.
Why were the British able to conquer India? OR
Why was Britain able to expand its control of the sub- continent
in the period of 1750-1850? [7]
◦The Mughal empire had already declined and were under the protection of Marathas
later came under the protection of EIC, when the British began to expand their influence in
India. At that time there was no strong uniting force in India. It was a collection of disunited
territories with a variety of different rulers with different religions and cultures. They fought
with each other and they often saw the British as possible allies in their arguments with their
neighbors, rather than political enemies. So this made it possible for the British to takeover.
◦It was also true that many rulers were wealthy feudal lords living on their past history. They
were complacent and incapable strategists. They by their weakness allowed their states
to decline through neglect rather than aiming to reform and reinvigorate them. So this
gave the British an opportunity to gain control.
◦The Industrial Revolution in Britain resulted in it being technologically much more
advanced than India. It had superior weapons, means of communication and the
confidence that went with these technological advantages. They did not doubt that it
was their right, if not their duty, to spread their superior culture across the globe. They saw
India as a country in stagnation and decline. There were great opportunities for profitable
trade and for imposing efficient British administrative systems on the sprawling giant of a
country. So their immense strength provided them with the resources to expand and gain
control over the subcontinent.
Who was Tipu Sultan? [4]
Tipu Sultan was the ruler of Mysore and he also proved himself to be a formidable
enemy for the British. British called him The Monster of Mysore, but to his followers he
was known as the Lion of Mysore. British disliked the way Tipu stood up against them.
Tipu believed that to defeat British he had to match their weapons. He had 50
cannons, 100000 cannon balls and 10 muskets as well as rockets and handguns. The
British knowing that his army was strong, showed people that Tipu was a c ruel
tyrant who had to be overthrown.
What was the Charter Act of
1833? [4]
In 1833 British tired to give Indian a more important part in running their own country. The
charter act of 1833 said that Indians could be part of the civil administering India. But
in practice there was little change. The Indian civil service employed about 1000
administrators. They were chosen by open public examination, but those exams were
taken in England, in English. So in reality India was governed by an able, but entirely
British group of officials.
Who was Rangit Singh? [4]
◦Maharaja Ranjit Singh also known as Lion of Punjab (13 November 1780 – 27 June 1839)
was the founder of the Sikh Empire, which came to power in the Indian subcontinent in
the early half of the 19th century. The empire, based in the Punjab region, existed from
1799 to 1849. Ranjit Singh was succeeded by his son, Kharak Singh.
◦ Ranjit Singh annexed Punjab [1], Kashmir, NWFP [1] a nd most of Afghanistan [1]
• he was a founder of Sikh rule in the Punjab
• he signed a treaty with Britain in 1809 [1] in Sindh [1]
• his expansion into Afghanistan worried Britain