The advent of the Europeans in India. Establishment and expansion of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856

<–2/”>a >Indian trade links with Europe started in through sea route only after the arrival of Vasco Da Gama in Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. The Portuguese had traded in Goa as early as 1510, and later founded three other colonies on the west coast in Diu, Bassein, and Mangalore. In 1601 the East India Company was chartered, and the English began their first inroads into the Indian Ocean. At first they were little interested in India, but rather, like the Portuguese and Dutch before them, with the Spice Islands. But the English were unable to dislodge the Dutch from Spice Islands. In 1610, the British chased away a Portuguese naval squadron, and the East India Company created its own outpost at Surat.This small outpost marked the beginning of a remarkable presence that would last over 300 years and eventually dominate the entire subcontinent. In 1612 British established a trading post in Gujarat. As a result of English disappointments with dislodging the Dutch from the Spice Islands, they turned instead to India.

By the beginning of the eighteenth century only two European trading companies of the British and the French were left in India competing for the Indian Resources. The Anglo- French rivalry, taking the form of three Carnatic Wars constituted landmarks in the history of British conquest of south India in the Eighteenth Century. In order to establish their supremacy, it was necessary for the English East India Company to eliminate the French from this region. As a result of Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) in Europe, the French and English settle- ments in India also became involved in open hostilities. In the third Carnatic war, the British East India Company defeated the French forces at the battle of Wandiwash ending almost a century of conflict over supremacy in India. This battle gave the British trading company a far superior position in India compared to the other Europeans.

The French were defeated by Sir Eyre Coote at Wandiwash in January, 1760, and Pondicherry capitulated a year later. The work of Dupleix and Bussy in the South was thus destroyed in 1760–1761; the French possessions in India were, however, restored by the treaty of Paris (1763). This conflict was resolved in the English East India Company’s favour because of its strong navy in India, its progressively increasing military strength and good Leadership, the support they received from the Government in England, and the larger resources at its command in Bengal. A part of the fallout of the events in the Carnatic cycle of wars that the weakness of the Indian regional powers (in particular their inability to make naval interventions and the ineffectiveness of large armies of some of their powers against smaller European forces) became manifest and this had grave implications in the political history of the rest of the eighteenth century.

The ‘First Phase’ of British Colonism is generally dated from 1757, when the British East India Company acquired the rights to collect revenue from its territories in the eastern and southern parts of the subcontinent, to 1813, when the Company’s monopoly over trade with India came to an end.

The ‘Second Phase’ is generally seen to have begun with the Charter Act of 1813, when the Company lost its monopoly trading rights in India, and ended in 1858, when the British crown took over the direct control and administration of all British territory in India.

Dual or Double Government: This system was introduced in Bengal after the battle of Buxar. As the Diwan of Bengal the Company directly collected its revenue, while the nizamat or the Police and Judicial powers remained with the Nawab.
Subsidiary Alliance System: The Subsidiary Alliance System was used by lord Wellesley to bring the Indian states within the boundary of the British political power. Under this doctrine, Indian rulers under British protection suspended their native armies, instead maintaining British troops within their states. They surrendered control of their foreign affairs to the British. In return, the East India Company would protect them from the attacks of their rivals.
Doctrine of Lapse: It was an annexation policy by the British East India Com- pany, introduced by lord Dalhousie Governor -general of India. Under the doc- trine princely territory under the direct rule of the East India Company would automatically be annexed if the ruler was either incompetent or died without a direct heir.
Charter Acts: The Charter Acts were passed by the British Parliament to govern the activities of the East India Company, endowed it with enormous Commercial privileges and granted them the powers to rule India up to 1858. The Charter Acts issued enabled the East India Company, commercial privileges in several series, for twenty years each. The first Charter Act was granted in 1793, granting the company provision of 20 years. Later the Charter Act was renewed in the year 1813, 1833 and 1853 respectively.

1806 – Treaty of Raighat – Peace with Holkars,

The advent of the Europeans in India

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India, in 1498. They were followed by the Dutch, the French, and the British. The Europeans were initially interested in India for its spices, but they soon began to establish trading posts and colonies.

The Portuguese were the most successful of the Europeans in India. They established a number of trading posts along the coast, and they also controlled the Indian Ocean trade. The Dutch were also successful, but they were not as interested in India as they were in Indonesia. The French were the least successful of the Europeans in India. They established a few trading posts, but they were never able to control a large area of the country.

The British were the last of the Europeans to arrive in India, but they were the most successful. They established a number of trading posts along the coast, and they also began to expand their territory inland. The British East India Company was the main British trading company in India, and it played a major role in the expansion of British rule.

The establishment and expansion of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856

The British East India Company began to expand its territory in India in the early 18th century. The company’s first major victory was the Battle Of Plassey in 1757. This victory gave the British control of Bengal, one of the richest provinces in India. The British continued to expand their territory in the following years, and by the mid-19th century they controlled most of India.

The British ruled India through a system of indirect rule. They allowed local rulers to remain in power, but they controlled the important decisions. The British also introduced a number of reforms, such as the introduction of English Education and the establishment of a modern legal system.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The rebellion was sparked by a number of factors, including the introduction of new cartridges that were greased with animal fat, which was offensive to both Hindus and Muslims. The rebellion was initially successful, and the British were forced to retreat from a number of cities. However, the British eventually suppressed the rebellion, and they tightened their control over India in the aftermath.

The East India Company was dissolved in 1858, and India was placed under the direct control of the British government. The British Raj, as it was known, lasted for nearly 100 years.

The Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by a group of Indian intellectuals. The Congress’s goal was to achieve self-government for India. The Congress initially used peaceful methods to achieve its goals, but it eventually turned to violence in the early 20th century.

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement. He is best known for his nonviolent methods of protest, such as boycotts and strikes. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, just a few months before India gained independence.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru was the first prime minister of India. He was a member of the Indian National Congress, and he played a major role in the independence movement. Nehru was a socialist, and he believed that India should be A Secular State.

The Partition of India

India was partitioned into two countries, India and Pakistan, in 1947. The partition was a violent event, and millions of people were displaced. The partition also led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

The Republic of India

India became a republic in 1950. The country’s first constitution was adopted in 1950, and it has been amended several times since then. India is a secular, democratic country, and it is the world’s largest Democracy.

The advent of the Europeans in India began in the 15th century with the arrival of Portuguese explorers. The Portuguese were followed by the Dutch, the French, and the British. The Europeans were initially interested in India for its spices and other goods. However, they soon began to establish colonies in India. The British were the most successful in this endeavor, and by the 18th century they had established control over most of India.

The establishment and expansion of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856 was a complex process. It was driven by a number of factors, including the British desire for economic gain, the weakness of the Indian Mughal Empire, and the British military superiority. The British East India Company played a key role in this process. The company was granted a monopoly on trade with India by the British government in 1600. The company established trading posts and forts in India, and it gradually began to extend its control over the country.

The British East India Company’s rule in India was marked by a number of features. The company was primarily interested in making a profit, and it often exploited the Indian people. The company also imposed a number of taxes on the Indian people, which led to widespread resentment. In addition, the company’s rule was often arbitrary and capricious.

The British East India Company’s rule in India came to an end in 1857, with the Indian Rebellion, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. The rebellion was a major uprising against British rule, and it led to the British government taking direct control of India. The British government ruled India until 1947, when India gained independence.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the advent of the Europeans in India and the establishment and expansion of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856:

• What were the main reasons for the advent of the Europeans in India?

The main reasons for the advent of the Europeans in India were economic gain, the weakness of the Indian Mughal Empire, and the British military superiority.

• What was the role of the British East India Company in the establishment and expansion of British rule in India?

The British East India Company played a key role in the establishment and expansion of British rule in India. The company was granted a monopoly on trade with India by the British government in 1600. The company established trading posts and forts in India, and it gradually began to extend its control over the country.

• What were some of the features of British rule in India?

Some of the features of British rule in India were the company’s primary interest in making a profit, the company’s exploitation of the Indian people, the company’s imposition of a number of taxes on the Indian people, and the company’s arbitrary and capricious rule.

• What was the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The rebellion led to the British government taking direct control of India.

• When did India gain independence from British rule?

India gained independence from British rule in 1947.

Question 1

The first Europeans to arrive in India were the Portuguese, who landed in Goa in 1498. The Portuguese were followed by the Dutch, the French, and the British.

Which of the following was the first European power to establish a permanent presence in India?

(A) The Portuguese
(B) The Dutch
(C) The French
(D) The British

Answer
(A) The Portuguese

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a permanent presence in India. They landed in Goa in 1498 and soon established a number of trading posts along the Indian coast.

Question 2

The British East India Company was founded in 1600. The company’s goal was to trade with India, but it soon became involved in politics and warfare.

Which of the following was the first major battle between the British and the Indian forces?

(A) The Battle of Plassey
(B) The Battle of Buxar
(C) The Battle of Seringapatam
(D) The Battle of Waterloo

Answer
(A) The Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal. The British victory at Plassey marked the beginning of British rule in India.

Question 3

The British East India Company was granted the Diwani of Bengal in 1765. The Diwani gave the company the right to collect taxes in Bengal.

Which of the following was the result of the British East India Company being granted the Diwani of Bengal?

(A) The British East India Company became the de facto ruler of Bengal.
(B) The British East India Company was forced to withdraw from India.
(C) The British East India Company was dissolved.
(D) The British East India Company was granted the right to trade with China.

Answer
(A) The British East India Company became the de facto ruler of Bengal.

The Diwani gave the British East India Company the right to collect taxes in Bengal. This made the company the de facto ruler of Bengal.

Question 4

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, was a major uprising against British rule in India.

Which of the following was the immediate cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

(A) The introduction of the Enfield rifle, which used cartridges that were greased with pig and cow fat.
(B) The British government’s decision to abolish the East India Company.
(C) The British government’s decision to increase taxes in India.
(D) The British government’s decision to annex the Indian state of Awadh.

Answer
(A) The introduction of the Enfield rifle, which used cartridges that were greased with pig and cow fat.

The introduction of the Enfield rifle was the immediate cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Many Indian soldiers were Hindu or Muslim, and they refused to use the cartridges because they were greased with pig and cow fat, which were considered to be unclean by Hindus and Muslims respectively.

Question 5

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was ultimately unsuccessful, but it had a significant impact on British rule in India.

Which of the following was a result of the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

(A) The British government abolished the East India Company.
(B) The British government transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown.
(C) The British government granted India independence.
(D) The British government introduced a number of reforms in India.

Answer
(B) The British government transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 led to the British government transferring power from the East India Company to the British Crown. This made the British government the direct ruler of India.