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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate26 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
This chapter explains how the East India Company transformed from a trading entity into a powerful territorial authority in India. Initially invited for trade, the Company gradually manipulated Indian politics, often using deception, to expand its dominance post the Battle of Plassey. It highlights the significant political maneuvers the Company undertook, such as establishing puppet nawabs and forcing subsidiary alliances on Indian rulers, which paved the way for its expansive control by the mid-19th century. The chapter also touches on various resistance movements and administrative changes introduced by the British to consolidate their power.
Key Topics
- •The emergence of British power in India through the East India Company
- •The Battle of Plassey and its implications
- •The implementation of the Doctrine of Lapse
- •Paramountcy and subsidiary alliances
- •Administrative and military changes during British rule
- •Local resistance and confrontations with Indian rulers
- •Warren Hastings and British administrative policies
- •Economic and political strategies of the East India Company
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the transition from trade to colonization by the British in India
- ✓Examine the political strategies and tactics used by the East India Company
- ✓Analyze the administrative changes and their impact on Indian society
- ✓Explore the resistance movements against British rule in India
- ✓Evaluate the role of significant figures like Warren Hastings in British expansion
- ✓Discuss the socio-economic impacts of British colonial policies in India
Questions in Chapter
Match the following: Diwani - Tipu Sultan, 'Tiger of Mysore' - right to collect land revenue, faujdari adalat - Sepoy, Rani Channamma - criminal court, sipahi - led an anti-British movement in Kitoor
Page 24
Fill in the blanks: (a) The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of ___________. (b) Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of ___________. (c) Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of ___________. (d) Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the ___________ part of India.
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State whether true or false: (a) The Mughal empire became stronger in the eighteenth century. (b) The English East India Company was the only European company that traded with India. (c) Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the ruler of Punjab. (d) The British did not introduce administrative changes in the territories they conquered.
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What attracted European trading companies to India?
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What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India Company?
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How did the assumption of Diwani benefit the East India Company?
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Explain the system of 'subsidiary alliance'.
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In what way was the administration of the Company different from that of Indian rulers?
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Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s army.
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Additional Practice Questions
What was the impact of the Battle of Plassey on the East India Company's expansion in India?
mediumAnswer: The Battle of Plassey in 1757 marked the beginning of nearly two centuries of British rule in India. It provided the Company with a strategic advantage and control over Bengal, enabling it to extract revenue and strengthen its military presence. It also symbolised the shift of power from local rulers to foreign dominance.
Discuss the political tactics employed by the East India Company to establish its rule over Indian territories.
hardAnswer: The East India Company employed several political tactics, including signing treaties that annexed territories, establishing puppet rulers, and enforcing the Doctrine of Lapse. These strategies enabled them to expand their influence without direct military confrontation initially, solidifying their power through strategic alliances and political manipulation.
Analyze the role of Warren Hastings in the establishment of the British administration in India.
hardAnswer: Warren Hastings played a crucial role by implementing administrative reforms, notably in justice, establishing a dual system of administration, and initiating revenue settlements that structured British rule. His efforts laid the groundwork for a bureaucratic governance model that further entrenched British control.
Why did the East India Company enforce the Doctrine of Lapse, and what were its implications?
mediumAnswer: The Doctrine of Lapse was enforced to annex territories without a direct heir, claiming these should revert to Company control. This led to widespread discontent and rebellion, as local rulers perceived it as an attack on traditional succession and sovereignty, fueling unrest that contributed to the 1857 Revolt.
Evaluate the economic motivations behind the British expansion in India during the 18th century.
mediumAnswer: Economic motivations included control over lucrative trade routes, acquisition of wealth through land revenues, and the monopolistic trade in spices and textiles. The desire to secure profitable ventures was a driving force behind the aggressive territorial expansion and dominance.
Discuss how the relationship between the East India Company and local Indian rulers changed over time.
mediumAnswer: Initially seen as trade allies, the relationship soured as the Company exerted more political influence, leading to treaties that diminished local rulers' autonomy and imposed British authority, exemplified by subsidiary alliances and administrative reforms, transitioning power structures to colonial rule.
How did the changes in military strategy and composition affect the power dynamics of the British in India?
hardAnswer: The transition to professionalized military units, technological advancements, and European-style discipline reshaped the Company's army, enabling more effective management of Indian territories, suppressing local uprisings, and extending colonial influence with enhanced military interventions.
What were the social and cultural impacts of the British annexation policies on Indian society?
mediumAnswer: The annexation policies disrupted traditional social hierarchies, eroded local governance structures, and introduced Western education and legal systems. These changes often led to cultural assimilation pressures and resistance movements as locals fought to preserve their identities and sovereignty.
How did the policy of paramountcy define British interactions with Indian princely states?
hardAnswer: Paramountcy asserted British supremacy, compelling princely states to acknowledge British authority as superior. This policy justified intervention in state affairs and annexation, reinforcing the British objective of consolidating power across the Indian subcontinent, often at the expense of local autonomy.
Identify and explain the economic consequences of British rule in India for the Indian economy.
mediumAnswer: British rule restructured India's economy, prioritizing raw material exports like cotton and silk, which deindustrialized traditional crafts. This shift disrupted local economies, led to famines, and established dependency on British manufactured goods, altering economic patterns fundamentally.