The Establishment of British Colonial Rule in India

<–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 Establishment of British Colonial Rule in India

The East India Company was a British joint-stock company that was formed in 1600. The company was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I, which gave it the exclusive right to trade with India. The company quickly became a powerful force in India, and it began to expand its territory.

In 1757, the East India Company fought the Battle Of Plassey against the Nawab of Bengal. The company won the battle, and it gained control of Bengal. This victory marked the beginning of British rule in India.

The East India Company continued to expand its territory in India. In the 1760s, the company fought the Carnatic Wars against the French East India Company. The company won the wars, and it gained control of much of southern India.

In the 1790s, the company fought the Third Anglo-Maratha War against the MARATHA EMPIRE. The company won the war, and it gained control of much of central India.

In 1857, the Indian Rebellion, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, broke out. The rebellion was a major uprising against British rule in India. The rebellion was eventually suppressed, but it marked the beginning of the end of British rule in India.

In 1858, the British government took direct control of India from the East India Company. This period of British rule is known as the British Raj.

The British Raj was a period of great change for India. The British introduced many new ideas and technologies to India, and they also built a large Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE of roads, railways, and canals. However, the British also exploited India’s resources, and they treated Indians as second-class citizens.

In the early 20th century, the Indian independence movement began to gain momentum. The movement was led by the Indian National Congress, which was founded in 1885. The Indian National Congress demanded self-rule for India, and it eventually achieved its goal in 1947.

In 1947, India gained independence from Britain. However, the country was partitioned into two separate dominions: India and Pakistan. The partition was a violent and chaotic process, and it led to the deaths of millions of people.

India is now a republic, and it is one of the world’s largest democracies. The country has made great progress since independence, but it still faces many challenges. These challenges include POVERTY, illiteracy, and Corruption.

Despite its challenges, India is a vibrant and dynamic country. It is a major player in the global economy, and it is home to a rich and diverse culture.

1. When did British rule in India begin?

British rule in India began in 1612, when the British East India Company established a trading post at Surat on the west coast of India. The company gradually expanded its presence in India, and by the mid-18th century it had become the dominant power in the subcontinent.

2. How did the British establish their rule in India?

The British East India Company established its rule in India through a combination of military conquest, political maneuvering, and economic exploitation. The company’s army, which was made up of Indian soldiers, was used to defeat local rulers and expand the company’s territory. The company also used its economic power to influence Indian rulers and gain control of their resources.

3. What was the impact of British rule on India?

British rule had a profound impact on India. The company’s economic policies led to the impoverishment of many Indians, and its political policies undermined Indian Sovereignty. The British also introduced Western Education and culture to India, which had a lasting impact on Society/”>Indian Society.

4. When did British rule in India end?

British rule in India ended in 1947, when the country gained independence. The end of British rule was the culmination of a long struggle for Indian independence, which was led by Mahatma Gandhi and other Indian nationalists.

5. What was the legacy of British rule in India?

The legacy of British rule in India is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, British rule brought many positive changes to India, such as the introduction of Western education and technology. On the other hand, British rule also had a number of negative consequences, such as the impoverishment of many Indians and the undermining of Indian sovereignty. The legacy of British rule continues to be debated by Indians today.

1. The British East India Company was founded in:
   (a) 1600
   (b) 1612
   (c) 1690
   (d) 1757

2. The first British governor-general of India was:
   (a) Warren Hastings
   (b) Robert Clive
   (c) Charles Cornwallis
   (d) Lord Dalhousie

3. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was also known as:
   (a) The Sepoy Mutiny
   (b) The Indian Mutiny
   (c) The First War of Indian Independence
   (d) The Indian War of Independence

4. The British government took direct control of India in:
   (a) 1857
   (b) 1858
   (c) 1861
   (d) 1877

5. The Indian National Congress was founded in:
   (a) 1885
   (b) 1895
   (c) 1905
   (d) 1915

6. The British Indian Empire was the largest empire in history, covering over one-fifth of the world’s landmass.
   (a) True
   (b) False

7. The British Raj was a period of British rule in India that lasted from 1858 to 1947.
   (a) True
   (b) False

8. The British Raj was a time of great economic and Social Change for India.
   (a) True
   (b) False

9. The British Raj was also a time of great political and cultural change for India.
   (a) True
   (b) False

10. The British Raj came to an end with the independence of India in 1947.
    (a) True
    (b) False