East India Company's Territorial Ambitions

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary objective of the East India Company?

To promote trade (correct)

To assist the local rulers

To expand its territorial ambitions

To establish a new government

What event led to Mir Jafar becoming the nawab?

The Battle of Calcutta

The Death of Robert Clive

The Battle of Plassey (correct)

The English traders petitioning the Nawab

What was the annual income the East India Company expected to earn?

Four million sterling

Three million sterling

Two million sterling (correct)

One million sterling

Why did the East India Company not want to take over the responsibility of administration?

Because it was not their prime objective Signup and view all the answers

What did the East India Company seek from local rulers?

Privileges and trade agreements Signup and view all the answers

What was the response of the English traders when they first came into the country?

They petitioned the Nawab Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Company's attempt to work with puppet nawabs?

The Company faced difficulties Signup and view all the answers

What was Robert Clive's concern about the Company's territorial ambitions?

That it would be an object too extensive Signup and view all the answers

What was the turning point in the East India Company's trade with India?

The Battle of Plassey Signup and view all the answers

Why did the East India Company have to buy most of the goods in India with gold and silver?

Because Britain had no goods to sell in India Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Diwani of Bengal?

It allowed the Company to collect revenue from Bengal Signup and view all the answers

What did the East India Company do to the king's subjects?

They robbed and plundered them, taking them into slavery Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Company's assumption of Diwani?

The Company gained power and authority Signup and view all the answers

What did the Company use the revenue from India to finance?

The Company's troops and offices Signup and view all the answers

What did it mean to be a nawab?

To have more power and authority Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the outflow of gold from Britain stopping?

The Company was able to finance its expenses from India Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of the Residents appointed by the Company in Indian states after the Battle of Buxar?

To serve and further the interests of the Company Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of Indian rulers failing to make payments for the 'subsidiary forces'?

The Company would take away part of their territory as penalty Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the 'subsidiary forces' maintained by the Company?

To protect the Company's trade interests Signup and view all the answers

During whose governor-generalship was the Nawab of Awadh forced to cede half of his territory to the Company?

Richard Wellesley Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the subsidiary alliance for Indian rulers?

They were forced to cede territories to the Company Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Company appoint Residents in Indian states after the Battle of Buxar?

To further the Company's political and commercial interests Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the subsidiary alliance for the Company?

It allowed the Company to expand its territorial control Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Company's interference in the internal affairs of Indian states?

To further the Company's political and commercial interests Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the treaties that followed the Battle of Buxar on Nawab Shujauddaulah's authority?

He was forced to give up much of his authority. Signup and view all the answers

Who painted the portrait of Nawab Shujauddaulah and the British Resident?

Tilly Kettle Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the British Resident according to James Mill?

The king of the country. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when the prince did not act in perfect subservience to the British Government?

There was clashing and disturbance. Signup and view all the answers

What did the British Government think was wrong when the prince took a different course of action?

The prince's decision was against the British Government's interests. Signup and view all the answers

What was the relationship between the prince and the British Resident according to James Mill?

The Resident was superior to the prince. Signup and view all the answers

What was the responsibility of the Resident according to James Mill?

To act on behalf of the British Government. Signup and view all the answers

What was the nature of the prince's decision that led to clashing and disturbance?

It was different from what the British Government wanted. Signup and view all the answers

What was Tipu Sultan doing when he came face to face with a tiger?

Hunting with a French friend Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Tipu Sultan's gun during the tiger encounter?

It did not work Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the battle between Tipu Sultan and the tiger?

Tipu Sultan killed the tiger Signup and view all the answers

What is depicted in the mechanical toy shown in Fig. 9?

A tiger mauling a European soldier Signup and view all the answers

Where is the mechanical toy tiger currently kept?

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the image of the tiger on Tipu Sultan's flag?

It represented his bravery and strength Signup and view all the answers

When did Tipu Sultan die defending his capital?

May 4, 1799 Signup and view all the answers

What did Tipu Sultan do with the dagger after it fell to the ground?

He reached down and picked it up Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Territorial Ambitions of the East India Company

The East India Company's territorial ambitions were viewed with distrust and doubt in England after the Battle of Plassey.
Robert Clive wrote to William Pitt, Principal Secretary of State to the English monarch, about the possibility of obtaining the absolute possession of rich kingdoms in India.

The Company's Objectives

The Company's prime objective was the expansion of trade, not conquest.
The Company preferred to work with local rulers who were willing to grant privileges, rather than taking over territories directly.

The Diwani of Bengal

In 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the Company as the Diwan of the provinces of Bengal.
The Diwani allowed the Company to use the vast revenue resources of Bengal, solving a major problem it had faced earlier.

The Company's Revenue and Expenses

The Company had to buy most goods in India with gold and silver imported from Britain before the Diwani.
After the Diwani, the Company could use the revenues from India to finance its expenses, purchase cotton and silk textiles, maintain Company troops, and build the Company fort and offices at Calcutta.

The Residents and the Company's Interference

After the Battle of Buxar, the Company appointed Residents in Indian states who were political or commercial agents serving the Company's interests.
The Residents began interfering in the internal affairs of Indian states, deciding on successors to the throne and appointing administrators.
The Company sometimes forced Indian states into a "subsidiary alliance", where they were not allowed to have their own armed forces and had to pay for the Company's protection.

The Consequences of the Subsidiary Alliance

If Indian rulers failed to make the payment, part of their territory was taken away as penalty.
Examples include the Nawab of Awadh, who had to give over half of his territory to the Company in 1801, and Hyderabad, which was forced to cede territories on similar grounds.

The Power of the Resident

The Resident had significant power, acting as the "king of the country" with the ability to manage affairs without appearing to do so.
When the prince took a course of action that the British Government thought was wrong, the Resident would intervene, causing clashing and disturbance.

Tipu Sultan and the Tiger of Mysore

Tipu Sultan became the ruler of Mysore in 1782 and was known for his bravery, particularly in a legendary battle with a tiger.
The British took away a mechanical toy tiger that Tipu possessed, which is now kept in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Tipu Sultan had the image of the tiger on his flag, earning him the nickname "The Tiger of Mysore".

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Description

The East India Company's expansion and territorial ambitions in India during the 18th century, as reflected in Robert Clive's letter to William Pitt. The company's growth was viewed with distrust in England.