British Expansion in India

British Expansion in India

• British attempts to control lands in India used various methods, including military tactics, political policies, and exploiting Indian weaknesses.

Robert Clive

• Robert Clive served in the East India Company's army.
• He was highly successful in military expeditions.
• Victories included the Battle of Arcot (1751) against the French and the Battle of Plassey (1757), conquering Bengal and defeating Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula.
• He also won the Battle of Pondecherry in 1761.
• Became Governor of Bengal after Plassey.
• Faced corruption charges and returned to England.
• Suffered disgrace and opium addiction, leading to suicide in 1773.

The Black Hole Tragedy

• A small dungeon in Fort William, Calcutta, where British prisoners of war were held on June 20, 1756.
• Reportedly, prisoners died within hours due to cramped conditions, suffocation, heat, and crushing.
• One prisoner claimed 123 of 146 prisoners died.
• Exact number disputed.

Battle of Plassey (1757)

• Preceded by the attack on Calcutta by Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah.
• Calcutta was the largest and most resourceful province.
• British reinforcements under Robert Clive recaptured Calcutta.
• Siraj-ud-Daulah's army, led by Mir Jafar, betrayed their leader.
• Siraj-ud-Daulah's army was defeated by roughly 3,000 British soldiers.

Outcomes of the Battle of Plassey

• Robert Clive became governor of Bengal.
• Mir Jafar was made the new Nawab of Bengal.
• Enhanced British influence and acquisition of concessions, marking a shift in power.
• Indian resistance proved unsuccessful.
• Bengal was placed under British control.
• British used the revenue to strengthen their military.

Battle of Buxar (1764)

• Mir Qasim, son of Mir Jafar, formed alliance with Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II to drive British out of Bengal.
• British general Hector Munro achieved a victory over them.
• Emperor Shah Alam II sought terms with the British.
• British captured Chunar and Allahabad, becoming dominant in Bihar and Bengal.

Outcomes of the Battle of Buxar

• Another Indian attempt failed.
• Oudh came under British control.
• Allahabad Treaty was signed in 1765, by Lord Robert Clive with Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, marking the defeat of Mir Kasim and the end of Nawab rule.
• British secured the Diwani rights—fiscal rights—to administer and manage the revenues of vast territories, including Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Bangladesh.
• British became masters of the people in these areas, in return for these rights.

Pitt's India Act (1784)

• Introduced dual control between the British government and the East India Company.
• This changed the relationship between the British government and the East India Company until 1858.
• Differentiated the EIC's political functions and commercial activities.
• Ordered all civil and military officers to show their property in India and Britain.
• Severe punishments for corrupt officials.

Mysore Wars (1799)

• British, allied with Nizam of Hyderabad and Marathas, fought against Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore.
• Haider Ali led Mysore to initial victories, dictating peace near Madras.
• Tipu Sultan won victories in 1783.
• Tipu Sultan, a prominent figure, died in 1799 at the Battle of Seringapatam.
• Mysore came under British control after Tipu Sultan's death.

Tipu Sultan

• Known as the "Tiger of Mysore".
• Introduced administrative innovations, including new coinage and a land revenue system.
• Promoted the growth of Mysore silk industry.
• Instructed in military tactics from French officers.

British Entry into Delhi (1803)

• British feared the French might use the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II's authority.
• Marathas fought alongside the British against the French.
• Delhi, ruled by the blind Shah Alam II, came under British protection after the battle.

Outcomes of the Delhi War

• British took control of Delhi, but did not immediately proclaim their rule over India. Their actions remained focused on administrating the area, fearing rebellions.

Defeat of Marathas (1818)

• British forces allied with the Nizam of Hyderabad, attacking Deccan.
• Maratha forces defeated, allowing British control over Southern India.

Annexation of Sindh (1843)

• The British forces attacked Afghanistan in 1839, capturing it.
• Afghans drove the British out in 1841.
• To hide humiliation, the British used internal conflicts between Sindh's rulers to annex the territory without major resistance.

Battle of Miani

• British annexed Sindh, defeating a 20,000 Amir force.
• Amir forces lacked support during the Anglo-Afghan War.
• British forces, under Sir Charles Napier, forced Amirs to sign treaty but provoked conflict.
• This led to open war, and the defeat of the Amir's army in Miani.
• Sindh, except Khairpur, was annexed.
• British took control of Southwestern parts of the subcontinent.

Sir Charles Napier

• Appointed Major General of the Bombay Presidency in 1842 at the age of 60.
• Controlled Amir insurgency after first Anglo-Afghan war in 1839.
• Led campaigns resulting in victories at Miani and Hyderabad and the conquest of Sindh.

Annexation of Punjab (1846-1849)

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Punjab initially resisted but was difficult for the British to control.
• Kingdom fell into disorder after Ranjit Singh's death in 1839.
• His son, Kharak Singh, took control but was ousted by Dilip Singh.
• British entered Lahore in 1846 without significant resistance.
• Western parts of the subcontinent came under direct British control.

Ranjit Singh

• Strong Sikh ruler of Punjab.
• Modernized his army with French help.
• Muslims in Punjab were restricted from performing Azan (call to prayer) and participating in cow slaughter.
• Died in 1839.

Doctrine of Lapse (1852)

• Annexation policy of the East India Company (under Lord Dalhousie, 1848-1856).
• Incorporated many states like Sitara, Jhansi, Oudh, Kanpur, and more.
• States were to be automatically annexed if the ruler was incompetent or died without an heir.

Outcomes of British Expansion

• Replaced the Indian kings' established right to choose successors.
• Although resistance from figures like Tipu Sultan and Ranjit Singh, British military and strategic supremacy proved decisive.
• British success led to their increased control across the Indian subcontinent.

Short Question and Answer

• Provided answers to various questions, like defining Marathas, describing the role of Shivaji and Robert Clive, the Black Hole Tragedy and Battle of Buxar.

Explore the methods of British expansion in India, including military tactics and political policies. Learn about key figures like Robert Clive and significant events such as the Black Hole tragedy and various battles. Test your knowledge on this pivotal period in history.