British Defeats of the Marathas and Beyond

Questions and Answers

What was the result of the British taking over Delhi in 1803?

Lord Lake was defeated by the Maratha forces.

Sindhia successfully negotiated a peace treaty with the British.

Shah Alam regained full control of the empire.

The British established full authority over Delhi. (correct)

Which of the following best describes Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse?

It applied solely to Hindu states in India.

It confirmed the autonomy of all Indian states.

It mandated that states without natural heirs would be annexed. (correct)

It allowed for adopted heirs to succeed to the throne.

What was a consequence of the Treaty signed by Lord Lake with Ranjit Singh?

It granted full autonomy to the Mughal empire.

It recognized Ranjit Singh's dominion east of the Sutlej. (correct)

It resulted in a formal alliance with the Marathas.

It enhanced British territorial claims in Punjab.

What aspect caused resentment among Indian rulers due to Dalhousie's policies?

<p>The annexation of states without consideration for adopted heirs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which condition was part of the subsidiary alliance principle?

<p>A British Resident would be stationed at their court.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The British Defeat the Marathas

The Battle of Delhi in 1803 marked a significant British victory, led by General Lord Lake.
Lord Lake successfully defeated Maratha leader Sindhia and took control of Delhi.
Mughal Emperor Shah Alam was confined to the Red Fort, with the British exerting full control over the city.
A peace treaty was signed by Lord Lake with Ranjit Singh, acknowledging Singh's dominion over territories east of the Sutlej River.
British expansion continued with the annexation of Sindh in 1843, Punjab in 1849, and Burma in 1852, following the first Anglo-Afghan War.

Causes of the War of Independence: Doctrine of Lapse

Under Lord Dalhousie's administration (1848-1856), eight princely states were annexed within eight years, exemplifying aggressive British expansionism.
The Doctrine of Lapse stipulated that if a Hindu ruler died without a biological heir, their state would be annexed by the British.
This policy affected several Hindu states: Satara was annexed in 1848, Sambalpur in 1850, Udaipur in 1852, Jhansi in 1853, and Nagpur in 1854.
It also applied to the Muslim state of Awadh, which was annexed in 1856, inciting widespread resentment among Indian rulers.
The British abolished titles and pensions for several rulers, including Nana Sahib, Raja of Tanjore, and Nawab of Karnataka.
Bahadur Shah II was informed that upon his death, his son would only be granted the title of prince, not king.

Did You Know?

The Subsidiary Alliance required princes to accept a British Resident at their court, influencing treaties with neighboring states.
It also mandated that only British advisers could be employed in their states, limiting foreign influence.
The Governor Generals, appointed by the English Parliament through the Charter Act of 1833, oversaw both military and civilian matters, solidifying British control in India.

Description

Explore the British conquest of the Marathas, focusing on the pivotal Battle of Delhi in 1803. Discover how Lord Lake's strategies subjugated the Maratha leader Sindhia and laid the foundation for British authority in India. Learn about the subsequent territorial changes and treaties that shaped the region.