History of British Policies in India

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which city is mentioned in relation to British territorial control?

Bombay

Poona (correct)

Lahore

Delhi

What type of governance did the British impose on Indian territories as indicated?

Colonial federations

Democratic republics

Independent monarchies

Puppet states (correct)

In which year was the noted British control or conquest indicated?

1876

1866

1856 (correct)

1846

What was the primary objective of the British actions in the Indian territories?

Control over resources and finances (D) Signup and view all the answers

What were the relations depicted between British forces and Indian rulers?

Suppression and manipulation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a formal term used for the means through which British forces controlled India?

Subsidiary alliances (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which group was primarily affected by British control measures as described?

Both Christians and Muslims (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a likely consequence of the British imposition of control over Indian states?

Resistance and rebellions among Indian states (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the factors that contributed to the artisans' struggles in England?

The introduction of modern technology (C) Signup and view all the answers

In which region were cultivators mentioned to be poverty-stricken?

Odisha (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence faced by the artisans due to changes in the economic environment?

Decrease in social status (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role did education play in the context of the content?

It was less accessible to artisans and cultivators. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of work were the artisans primarily involved in?

Handicrafts and traditional crafts (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which group was notably alarmed by the economic changes?

Artisans (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is implied to contribute to the disempowerment of artisans?

Competition from foreign goods (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a social impact of the deterioration of artisans' conditions?

Migration of artisans to urban centers (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the British actions towards the Mughal Empire in 1856?

The refusal of Bahadur Shah II to comply (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the uneasiness felt among the Indian population during the British imperial period?

Discontentment (A) Signup and view all the answers

Who primarily communicated messages regarding British policies to the local Indian rulers in 1856?

The messengers (C) Signup and view all the answers

What action is indicated by the term 'meted' in this context?

To distribute punishment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What did the title 'Saheb' refer to in the British colonial context?

A designation for British officials (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the situation of the ex-Peshwa in relation to British imperial policies?

He was a key figure in resisting British control (A) Signup and view all the answers

What likely resulted from the mix of factors causing uneasiness among the Indians during the period?

Increased attempts at rebellion and resistance (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which group primarily opposed the British policies affecting the Mughal Empire and its rulers?

The Indian nobility and leaders (A) Signup and view all the answers

What rank could sepoys in the Bengal Army realistically achieve?

Subedar (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant reason for the discontent among the sepoys?

Low salary compared to English recruits (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which ethnic groups predominantly constituted the sepoys in the Bengal Army?

High-caste Hindus, specifically Brahmins and Rajputs (B) Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the additional allowance that sepoys expected when serving away from home?

Bhatta (D) Signup and view all the answers

What action did some Bengal regiments take in 1844 regarding military service?

Refused to serve in Sindh until extra allowances were provided (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one misunderstanding regarding the name 'Bengal Army'?

It suggested that all personnel were from Bengal. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key complaint of sepoys related to their treatment by British officers?

They were viewed as menial servants. (D) Signup and view all the answers

During which conflict did sepoys have to serve far from their homes, impacting their morale?

Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What were the main causes of the famines mentioned in the passage?

Drought and the British plundering of resources (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role did British actions play in the famines?

The British plundered resources and contributed to the famines by not offering adequate relief. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what was the impact of the famine of 1837-38?

It caused people to leave their villages and search for food. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Indian army's loyalty to the British?

It prevented a large-scale uprising against the British. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was Dalhousie's intention in increasing the number of British soldiers in the Indian army?

He wanted to prevent the Indian sepoys from rebelling against the British. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Indian sepoys become unhappy?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the passage suggest about the relationship between the British and the Indian people?

The British actions suggest an exploitative relationship with the Indian people. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the British taking raw materials from India?

It benefited the British economy at the expense of the Indian people. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Act mentioned in the text?

To abolish harmful practices like Sati and infanticide in India. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "had like cry" likely refer to in the context of the text?

A public outcry against the Act due to its perceived interference in Indian customs. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can NOT be inferred from the text about the British attitude towards Indians?

The British were highly respectful of Indian customs and traditions and avoided interfering in their social lives. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The phrase "had like cry" suggests that the Act likely __________.

faced opposition from Indians. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely interpretation of the phrase "seemed respectful…salaam horseback" regarding the British and Indians?

The British were attempting to create a power dynamic by showing respect while remaining in control. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these can be linked to the social reforms taking place in the context of the text?

The growth of nationalist movements in India. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The text suggests that the British approach toward reform in India involved __________.

A top-down, imposition of new laws without consulting with local Indian authorities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the establishment of the Madrasa in the context of the text?

The Madrasa was established as part of a larger attempt to improve education and literacy in India. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Section B: History

Subsidiary Alliances: British policy involved requiring Indian rulers to maintain British armies in their states, paying for them, and accepting British control over relations with other states. This effectively reduced rulers to puppets despite appearances of independence. States like Hyderabad, Mysore, Lucknow, Poona were affected.
Doctrine of Lapse: Dalhousie's policy, enacted from 1846 to 1856, asserted that adopted heirs without company approval could not inherit princely territories. Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur were annexed under this policy. Widowed Rani of Jhansi's adopted son was denied succession.
Annexation of Awadh: Wazid Ali Shah was deposed in 1856, ostensibly due to Awadh's misgovernance. The complete annexation followed, disturbing the soldiers from Awadh. This action broke promises to ruling chiefs, creating resentment among British Indian soldiers from Awadh. The action also upset local landholders, or zamindars, who had their estates confiscated.
Disrespect of the Mughal Emperor: Despite minimal power, Bahadur Shah's title and position were undermined. This caused unrest.
Treatment of Nana Saheb: Dalhousie's refusal to grant a pension to Nana Saheb (adopted son of the Peshwa Baji Rao II) caused significant resentment among Hindus. He used his inheritance for encouraging revolt.
Unpopular Administration: British administration faced criticism due to unfamiliar laws, language, and lack of cultural understanding and inclusion of Indian officers in high positions.
Floating Rumours: Rumours emerged regarding the timing of the end of British rule, heightening anxiety. This was amplified by the belief that British rule started in 1757 and would conclude in 1857.
Religious Conversions: Christian missionaries' actions and teachings, including compulsory religious instruction in schools and preaching in religious sites, created fears among Hindus and Muslims, who saw this as potential forced conversion attempts.
Religious Laws: The Religious Disabilities Act of 1850 enabled converts from Hinduism to inherit property, causing concern and perceived incentives to relinquish faith.
Economic Exploitation: The British harmed Indian trade and handicrafts through protective measures, hindering Indian products, and promoted British goods. This led to reduced exports. Indian agriculture was also impacted by high taxes and the introduction of industries like railways and telegraphs perceived as threatening to the social and caste system. Cultivators faced hardship with the Permanent Settlement of 1793 and were subject to expulsion from land for non-payment.
Indigo Cultivators: British planters in 1833 were allowed to dictate indigo cultivation, negatively affecting peasants. Crops, homes, and livestock were often ruined through wanton destruction.
Railways & Telegraphs: The introduction of railways and telegraphs and the mixing of castes was viewed with suspicion and fear - the change in social structure was disliked, and the potential for misuse of telegraph infrastructure added to the anxiety.
Racial Discrimination: The practice of insulting and humiliating Indians by English officials was reported, including requiring a particular posture for Indians when an Englishman was present. This led to cultural distance.
English Education: Introducing English education raised anxieties about the loss of indigenous learning. This was seen by many as an attempt to encourage conversion.
Military Issues: Poor pay, limited advancement opportunities, and the treatment of Indian soldiers as subservient to British officers created resentment.
Enfield Rifles: The introduction of the Enfield rifle, which used cartridges supposedly greased with cow and pig fat, triggered widespread unrest among both Hindus and Muslims. This is considered a direct trigger for the First War of Indian Independence.
Aftermath of the War: Though the war didn't immediately achieve Indian independence, it concluded the East India Company's rule, and British policy changed. The British government took direct control of India, marking a significant shift in the administration of the country. A more cautious approach to policy in regard to Indian princes and religious policy was put in place. However, economic exploitation of India continued, despite promises and efforts to improve the situation. This led to unrest, nationalism, and continued struggle for greater autonomy.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore key British policies in India like Subsidiary Alliances, the Doctrine of Lapse, and the Annexation of Awadh. This quiz will test your understanding of how these policies impacted Indian rulers and contributed to the growing resentment among the populace. Delve into the historical events that shaped modern India.