Questions and Answers
What method did the East India Company adopt for recruiting its army?
The sepoy army is named after the Persian word 'sipahi'.
False
What weapon's requirements declined for the East India Company's army in the 1820s?
Cavalry requirements
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of ___________.
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Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of ___________.
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Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of ___________.
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Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the ___________ part of India.
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The Mughal empire became stronger in the eighteenth century.
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The English East India Company was the only European company that traded with India.
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Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the ruler of Punjab.
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The British did not introduce administrative changes in the territories they conquered.
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What did the assumption of Diwani benefit the East India Company?
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Explain the system of 'subsidiary alliance'.
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In what way was the administration of the Company different from that of Indian rulers?
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Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company's army.
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What attracted European trading companies to India?
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What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India Company?
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Study Notes
The Decline of the Mughal Empire
- Aurangzeb was the last powerful Mughal ruler, dying in 1707, leading to a decline in centralized control.
- Following his death, regional governors and zamindars established their kingdoms, which diminished Delhi’s political authority.
- The British emerged as a new power in India during the second half of the 18th century, previously operating as a trading company.
The Role of the East India Company
- Founded in 1600, the East India Company received a charter from Queen Elizabeth I granting it exclusive trading rights with the East.
- Competition with other English trading entities was eliminated due to the royal charter, paving the way for increased profit through mercantile practices.
European Competition and Conflict
- The Portuguese established dominance in the Indian trade routes, followed by Dutch and French traders.
- High demand for Indian goods such as cotton, silk, and spices resulted in fierce competition, which led to price surges and reduced profit margins for trading companies.
- To thrive, these companies engaged in aggressive tactics, including sinking rival ships and fortifying trading posts, intertwining trade with political conflict.
Establishment in Bengal
- The East India Company set up its first factory in Bengal in 1651 on the banks of the Hugli River, becoming an operational base for their traders.
- By 1696, the Company started building forts and received zamindari rights, including over Kalikata, which later became Kolkata.
Conflict with Local Authorities
- Tensions rose as Bengal Nawabs like Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan, and Sirajuddaulah resisted the Company's demands for trade concessions and political control.
- The Nawabs accused the Company of avoiding taxes and undermining their authority, leading to escalating confrontations.
The Battle of Plassey
- After Sirajuddaulah succeeded Alivardi Khan, he confronted the Company’s interference in politics, leading to the blockade of English trade.
- Robert Clive led British forces to victory against Sirajuddaulah in the 1757 Battle of Plassey, aided by Mir Jafar, who was promised the position of nawab.
- The battle marked a significant turning point, establishing the Company’s military and political dominance in India.
Changing Objectives
- Post-Plassey, Sirajuddaulah was assassinated, and Mir Jafar became the nawab, though the Company initially hesitated to assume direct administrative control.
- The focus remained on expanding trade and leveraging local rulers for privileges instead of outright conquest.
Economic Motivations
- Clive communicated with English authorities about the vast economic potential following their territorial acquisition, citing an annual revenue of two million sterling from the newly acquired provinces.### The Influence of the East India Company
- Puppet nawabs, like Mir Jafar and Mir Qasim, were manipulated by the British East India Company for control over Bengal.
- Mir Jafar was deposed when he protested, replaced by Mir Qasim, who was later defeated in the Battle of Buxar (1764), reinstating Jafar.
- The Company imposed a heavy taxation of Rs. 500,000 per month on Nawab Jafar to fund its military and trade expenses.
Company's Strategy and Power Acquisition
- After Mir Jafar's death in 1765, the East India Company sought greater territorial and financial control.
- The Mughal emperor granted the Company the Diwani of Bengal, allowing them access to vast revenue resources and weakening local rulers.
- The outflow of British gold to India ceased post-Battle of Plassey, as revenues from Bengal now funded Company activities.
The Rise of Nabobs
- Company officials, having earned fortunes in India, sought affluent lifestyles reminiscent of Indian nawabs.
- Notable figures like Robert Clive amassed considerable wealth, with Clive's fortune valued at £401,102 upon his departure in 1767.
- The lifestyle of wealthy Company officials often drew ridicule in British society, as they were seen as social climbers.
Political and Military Strategies
- The Company extended its influence through political and diplomatic means rather than direct military engagement initially.
- After the Battle of Buxar, British Residents were deployed in Indian states to oversee affairs and protect Company interests.
- Subsidiary alliances forced Indian rulers to rely economically on the Company, further enabling territorial annexations.
Resistance and Conflict
- Mysore, under rulers Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, resisted Company advances, controlling significant trade along the Malabar coast.
- Tipu Sultan attempted to halt Company commerce by stopping certain exports and forming alliances with the French against British interests.
- The Company was drawn into military confrontations, culminating in four wars with Mysore, ultimately defeating Tipu Sultan in 1799.
Cultural Legends and Legacy
- Tipu Sultan, celebrated as the "Tiger of Mysore," became a legendary figure due to tales of his bravery, including a famous encounter with a tiger.
- His resistance against British dominance is remembered through folklore and cultural narratives, contributing to his enduring legacy in Indian history.### Political Landscape in India
- States were divided under various chiefs such as Sindhia, Holkar, Gaikwad, and Bhonsle.
- Confederacy existed under a Peshwa, who served as the military and administrative leader based in Pune.
Anglo-Maratha Wars
- First Anglo-Maratha War ended in 1782 with no decisive winner; Treaty of Salbai concluded the conflict.
- Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-05) resulted in British control of Orissa and north of the Yamuna including Agra and Delhi.
- Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-19) concluded the Maratha power, leading to the removal of the Peshwa.
British Expansion and Paramountcy
- Under Lord Hastings (1813-1823), the British adopted an aggressive territorial policy claiming "paramountcy" over Indian states.
- This policy justified annexations to protect British interests, reflecting a systemic approach to imperial expansion.
Resistance Movements
- Rani Channamma led an anti-British uprising in Kitoor against annexation attempts and was arrested in 1824.
- Rayanna, a local leader, continued the fight against British forces, gaining popular support until his execution in 1830.
Expansion into the North-West
- In the late 1830s, British fears of Russian expansion prompted military actions in Afghanistan (1838-1842) and subsequent control of Sind in 1843.
- Post-Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death in 1839, Punjab was annexed after two wars, culminating in British control in 1849.
Doctrine of Lapse
- Concept developed by Lord Dalhousie, asserting that kingdoms without male heirs would be annexed by the Company.
- Key annexations included Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853), Jhansi (1854), and Awadh (1856).
Administrative Changes Under British Rule
- Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General (1773-1785) who oversaw major reforms and established a structured legal system.
- Three Presidencies were created: Bengal, Madras, and Bombay, each with its own Governor.
Legal Reforms
- Introduction of dual court systems: criminal (faujdari adalat) and civil (diwani adalat).
- Muslim and Hindu laws were translated and compiled for European judicial understanding.
Military Evolution
- Mughal military shifted focus from cavalry to trained infantry as local polities adopted the model.
- The East India Company developed its own sepoy army, recruiting from local populations.
Advancements in Military Culture
- Changes in military training and discipline created tensions amid caste and community identities among soldiers.
- Revolt of 1857 reflected the discontent among sepoys regarding the transformation of their traditional roles.
Conclusion of Company Rule
- By 1857, the East India Company controlled about 63% of India and significantly influenced the rest, marking its transition from trade to colonial dominance.
- Steam technology improved connectivity and facilitated increased British presence in India, contributing to administrative transformations.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the recruitment methods of the East India Company's army and key historical events related to it. This quiz covers important battles, notable leaders like Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, and the evolution of military tactics in the 1820s. Challenge yourself and learn more about this crucial period in Indian history!
