Notes and Study material for Exams
The First Anglo-Sikh War: A Clash of Empires in the Punjab The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846) marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Punjab, India, and the British Empire. It was a clash of two powerful forces: the burgeoning Sikh Empire, a formidable military power in the region, and the ever-expanding British East … Read more
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms 1919: Dyarchy In a system called “dyarchy,” the nation-building departments of government — agriculture, Education, public works, and the like — were placed under ministers who were individually responsible to the legislature. The departments that made up the “steel frame” of British rule — finance, revenue, and home affairs — were retained by … Read more
Shah Alam II: A Life of Power, Exile, and the Rise of the Marathas Shah Alam II (1759-1806), the 15th Mughal emperor, reigned during a tumultuous period in Indian history. His reign witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire, the rise of the Maratha Confederacy, and the growing influence of the British East India Company. … Read more
India’s traditional village economy was characterised by the “blending of agriculture and handicrafts”. But this internal balance of the village economy had been systematically slaughtered by the British Government. In the process, traditional handicraft industries slipped away, from its pre-eminence and its decline started at the turn of the 18th century and proceeded rapidly almost … Read more
The Muslims reformers in India launched many religious movements. Some tried to revive the religion and other tried to reform the religion. During the 19th century religion reforms movement were on the peak. Movements like Deoband Movement, Ahamadiya movement, Aligarh Movement; Wahabi Movement has influenced the masses and made them think about their religion and … Read more
Ahmad Shah Durrani: The Founder of the Durrani Empire Ahmad Shah Durrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali, was a pivotal figure in Afghan history, renowned for establishing the Durrani Empire, a powerful and influential state that spanned much of modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Iran and Central Asia. His reign, though brief, marked … Read more
Lord Ellenborough, 1842-44 INTRODUCTION Lord Ellenborough served as the Governor General of India from 28 February 1842 to 15 June 1844. He is credited with bringing the Afghan War to an end. His tenure of office was marked by a successful expedition to Kabul which went a long way in enhancing the prestige … Read more
ORIGIN OF NATIONALISM The rise of Nationalism is reflected in the spirit of Renaissance in Europe when freedom from religious restrictions led to the enhancement of national identity. This expression of Nationalism was furthered by the French Revolution. The political changes resulted in the passing of Sovereignty from the hands of an absolute monarch to … Read more
The Subsidiary Alliance System: A Tool of British Imperialism in India The Subsidiary Alliance System, a cornerstone of British imperial expansion in India, was a complex and multifaceted strategy that ultimately paved the way for the British East India Company’s dominance over the subcontinent. This system, implemented in the late 18th century, aimed to establish … Read more
After the WWII began, British sought cooperation from India. August Offer offered three proposals. Firstly, it called for an immediate expansion of Viceroy’s Executive Council with the inclusion of India representatives; secondly, an advisory body with the members from British India and Indian princely states which were supposed to meet at consequent intervals was established … Read more