Robert Clive and British India

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary requirement for a question stem?

It should be negatively stated.

It should present a definite problem. (correct)

It should contain irrelevant material.

It should reference the text.

What is a recommended practice when constructing answer options?

Include 'all of the above' as an option.

Ensure that options are mutually exclusive. (correct)

Use distractors that are clearly incorrect.

Provide hints about the correct answer.

Which of the following describes a common student misconception to consider when writing distractors?

Distractors should always be the simplest options.

Distractors must be completely unrelated to the content.

Many students may believe the correct option contains the most information. (correct)

Students typically see negative statements as more confusing.

What should be avoided in the construction of question stems?

Unclear and ambiguous wording. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best practice for ensuring the correct answer to a question is appropriate?

The correct answer must come from the content. Signup and view all the answers

What was Robert Clive's initial position when he arrived in Fort St. George?

Company agent Signup and view all the answers

Which battle did Robert Clive win that significantly boosted his reputation?

Siege of Arcot Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Robert Clive's accomplishments during his rule in Bengal?

Maximizing revenue at the expense of the peasants Signup and view all the answers

What title did Robert Clive receive after his military achievements?

Baron of Plassey Signup and view all the answers

Which strategic region did Clive refrain from annexing to maintain a buffer state?

Awadh Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Buxar for the British?

Gain of the Diwani of Bengal Signup and view all the answers

What measure did Clive take regarding company employees during his rule?

Forbade private trade and gifts Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Nawab of Bengal that Clive defeated to recapture Calcutta in 1757?

Siraj Ud Daulah Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of Robert Clive's policies in India?

Civil unrest due to high taxes and cash crop cultivation Signup and view all the answers

Who were the key figures involved in the treachery during the Battle of Plassey?

Mir Jafar and Mohan Lal Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Battle of Buxar?

The Allahabad Treaty was signed Signup and view all the answers

What major action did Mir Qasim take that angered the British during the conflict?

Established free trade for all merchants Signup and view all the answers

Which Act was passed during Warren Hastings' administration that aimed to regulate the East India Company's governance?

The Regulating Act of 1773 Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Calcutta Madrasa founded by Warren Hastings?

It promoted Islamic studies and was the first educational institute by the Company's government Signup and view all the answers

How did Robert Clive's return to England impact his reputation?

He faced criticism for his wealth accumulation Signup and view all the answers

What role did Warren Hastings play before becoming Governor-General?

Clerk in the East India Company Signup and view all the answers

What was the main role of the Zamindar under the Zamindari system?

To act as a government representative and collect revenue Signup and view all the answers

What major consequence followed the introduction of the Subsidiary Alliance?

The Indian states lost their sovereignty to the British Signup and view all the answers

Which was a requirement for Indian rulers entering into a Subsidiary Alliance?

They must disband their own armed forces Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance?

Nizam of Hyderabad Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the revenue collected by the Zamindar was actually due to the Government?

89% Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant feature of the Subsidiary Alliance treaty?

British troops were stationed in Indian courts Signup and view all the answers

Who framed the Subsidiary Alliance?

Lord Wellesley Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the effects of the Subsidiary Alliance on the Indian kingdoms?

Loss of independence in foreign affairs Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of Lord Cornwallis in relation to the Zamindari system?

He implemented the Zamindari or Permanent Settlement Signup and view all the answers

Which was the system introduced by Sir Thomas Munroe in some areas of India?

Mahalwari system Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Robert Clive's Legacy

Robert Clive's activities in India had a significant impact on the rise of the British East India Company's influence.
He was a British military officer, later appointed Governor of Bengal.
Clive accumulated significant wealth during his tenure in India, which led to scrutiny and censure upon his return to England.
Clive’s rule as Governor of Bengal was marked by corruption and a focus on maximizing revenue even at the expense of the peasantry.

The Battle of Plassey (1757)

The Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory for the British East India Company against Siraj Ud Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal.
Clive led the British forces, supported by treachery from within the Nawab’s army.
The Battle of Plassey marked the beginning of British dominance in Bengal and laid the foundation for the British Empire in India.
Mir Jafar, who betrayed the Nawab, was installed as the new Nawab of Bengal.

The Battle of Buxar (1764)

The Battle of Buxar was fought between the British East India Company and a coalition of Indian rulers: Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal; Shuja Ud Daulah, the Nawab of Awadh; and Shah Alam II, the Mughal emperor.
The British victory in Buxar further consolidated their power in India.
The resulting Treaty of Allahabad granted the British the right to collect revenue (Diwani) in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
The British also took control of the territories of Allahabad and Kora while maintaining the Nawab’s territorial jurisdiction (Nizamat).

Warren Hastings' Reforms

Warren Hastings was the first Governor of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal) and the first Governor-General of Bengal.
He played a key role in expanding British influence and reformed administrative and judicial systems.
During his tenure, the First Anglo-Maratha War and the Second Anglo-Mysore War took place.
He supported the formation of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, focusing on the study of Asian culture and history.
Hastings also established the Calcutta Madrasa, promoting Islamic studies.
The Regulating Act of 1773 was passed during his governorship, aiming to increase British control over the East India Company's affairs.

Zamindari System

Introduced by Lord Cornwallis, the Zamindari system aimed to increase revenue collection and consolidate British control over land.
The system established Zamindars as landholders, responsible for collecting revenue from peasants.
Peasants became tenants, vulnerable to exploitation and eviction by the Zamindars.
The system facilitated economic drain from India by allowing the British to extract a significant portion of the revenue generated.
The Zamindari system remained in place until the mid-20th century but was later replaced by the Mahalwari system in some regions.

Subsidiary Alliance

The Subsidiary Alliance system was a treaty imposed by the British East India Company on Indian princely states.
It aimed to consolidate British power in India by weakening the Indian states and establishing British control over their military and foreign policy.
This system was first introduced by French General Marquis Dupleix and later implemented by Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805.
Under the Subsidiary Alliance, Indian rulers were forced to disband their armies, accept British troops in their territory, and pay for their maintenance.
In return, the British promised protection against foreign attacks and internal rebellions, but this promise was often broken.
The subsidiary system significantly reduced the independence of Indian rulers, turning them into British protectorates and contributing to the rise of the British Raj.

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Description

Explore the legacy of Robert Clive and the pivotal events that shaped British rule in India, including the Battles of Plassey and Buxar. This quiz delves into Clive's controversial governance and the impact of these battles on Indian history. Test your knowledge on how these events paved the way for British dominance in the region.