Colonialism, Imperialism and Capitalism

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Merhcantilism – a country becoming richer at the cost of other country (colony)

Gold and Silver – Bullion metals.

What is Neocolonialism, Neoimperialism

Some facts to remember

1. Crusades: Wars between christian between Islamic world bw 1096 – 1291 AD. These crusades won by Muslims. Muslims
established firm control over Middle East.
2. Renaissance: 14th – 17th century. Also called rebirth. Florence (Italy).
3. Age of discovery: 15th – 17th century. Sea exploration
4. Commercial Revolution: 11th – 18th century. Large scale trade.
5. Age of reasons/Enlightenment: 1685 – 1815AD
6. Agricultural Revolution: 1700-1850 AD, scientific practices, crop rotation, new verities of plants, etc. Agri Rev in Europe
particulaarily in England.
7. Industrial Revolution: 1750-1850. Use of Machines instead of manual labours. Industrial Rev began in England. Ind Rev
happened in 6 imp fields – cotton textiles, mining, Iron and Steel production, Power production, Transport and
Communication.

Arrivals of Europeans
The Order Of Arrival Of European Companies In India
1. The Portuguese->
2. The Dutch->
3. The English/British->
4. The Danish ->
5. The French ->
6. The Swedish (1731) Spain
 Note:-
(i) The Dutch -> The English/British (while British East India Company eastablished in 1599 & Dutch East India
 Company eastablished in 1602)
(ii) Shortcut - P->D->E->D->F-S
(iii) Partial Differential Equation (PDE) + Department of Financial Services (DFS)
The Order Of Establishment Of European Companies
1. Estado da India एस्तादो द इंडिया (Portuguese Company) -> 1498 (or Portuguese East India Company, founded in 1628)
2. British East India Company (Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading with the East Indies)-> 1599
3. Page | 2East India Company (United East India Company of Netherland) -> 1602
Dutch
4. Danish East India Company -> 1616 -> Denmark
5. French East India Company -> 1664
6. Swedish East India Company -> 1731
 Shortcut - P->E->D(Dutch)->D->F-S [90%] or E->D(Dutch)->D->P-> F-S [10%]
 100% -> P -> E-> Dutch -> French

The Quest for and Discovery of a Sea Route to India

1. India had trade relations with Europe from times immemorial.
2. There were three main trade routes along which all Indo-European trade passed—
a. The northen route: Coast of India-> The Indus river -> the Oxus आक्सस river (Amu Darya आमू दरिया river) -> the
Caspian sea -> the Black seas -> Constantinople -> Mediterranean sea -> Venice/Genoa (Italy)-> Europe {Central
and Western Europe}
b. The middle route: Coast of India -> the Persian Gulf -> the Tigris and Euphrates rivers -> the Black Sea ->
Constantinople -> Mediterranean sea -> Venice/Genoa (Italy)-> Europe {Central and Western Europe}
c. The southern route: Coast of India -> Red Sea-> Alexandria {a city in Egypt} -> Mediterranean sea-> Venice/Genoa
(Italy) -> Europe {Central and Western Europe}
3. Ques:- The Westen European states and merchants began to search for a new and safer routes to India and spice
Islands in Indonesia, then knows as the East Indies. Why?
4. In 1453, The Turks {The Ottoman Empire of Turks} captured Constantinople
a. In 1453, The Turks captured Constantinople (the capital of Bezantine Empire ruled by Christians) and it enabled
them to capture northern and middle route and they looted European traders who belonged to Christianity.
b. The Ottoman Empire of Turks became a naval power in 1470 and they captured Egypt in 1516-17.
c. Thus, they blocked all the trade routes of Europe to India forcing to discover/find an alternative sea route/ a new
sea route to India
d. Consequently, people of Europe had to face great hardships because the spices had to be imported from South
India, which made their dishes tasty.
5. Old trading routes between Europe and India {Asia} were under control of merchants of (a) Arab (b) Venice and Genoa-Italy
(c) Turkey {after "Turk Ottomon empire" captured constantinople in 1453}. Hence, the trade between Asia and Europe
was monopolised by merchants of Arab, Venice, Genoa and Turkey.
6. Merchants of Venice and Genoa refused to allow the new nations states of western Europe, particularly Spain and
Portugal, to trade through these old trade routes.
7. Renaissance had generated a great spirit of adventure among the people of Western Europe.
8. Great advancement in the field of ship-building and navigation had taken place in the western Europe in the 15th century.
9. Hence, the Westen European states and merchants began to search for a new and safer routes to India and spice Islands in
Indonesia, then knows as the East Indies, thus by passing old trade routes monopolised by Arab, Italy (Venice, Genoa) and
Turk merchants.
10. What: Sea explorers from Spain and Portugal sponsored by their Governments, began to find out new sea routes.
11. Note
a. Islamic wars for territorial power.
b. Old trade routes through Egypt and Syria upto the Persian Gulf were closed in 7th century AD.
c. Very high cost of transmitting goods.
d. The capture of Constantinople (Istanbul) by the Muslim Turks in 1453. Constantinope was being ruled by Byzantine
empire. Cons. was captured by Muslim ruler Mehmed II, an Ottomen Turk ruler.
e. Age of discovery/Exploration – Henry, the navigator.
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Arrival of Portuguese in India

Arrival of Portuguese in India

(1) The Portugues were the first Europeans to arrive India.
(2) Reason for arrival of Portugues in India
(i) Economic - to do trade in India
(ii) Religious – to propogate and promote christianity in India (Asia and Africa)
Prince Henry the Navigator
(1) Prince Henry of Portugal is nicknamed as the Navigator (because of his patronage (patronised) and sponsorship of
sea explorers)
(2) He founded an institute for sea explorers
1487: Bartholomew Dias बार्थोलोमो डियाज (Rau: Bartolomeu Dias, 1488AD)
(1) 1487: In Bartholomew Dias बार्थोलोमो डियाज, the Portuguese navigator, discovered a sea route from Europe to
southermost tip of Africa which he named as Cape of Storms. Portuguese later renamed the cape as “Cape of Good
Hope” as it represented the opening of a new sea route to the East.
1494: Christopher Columbus (क्रिस्टोफर कोलंबस) (Rau: 1492 AD)
Christopher Columbus (क्रिस्टोफर कोलंबस), Italian navigator, discovered a sea route from Europe to America (while he wanted
to find routes to reach the east (including India)]
Treaty of Tordesillas, 1494AD: Spain and Portugal have dividied the world into two. Spain to focus on western world (West of
agreed imginary line) and Portugal to focus on eastern world. Hence, Portugal reached, not Spain reached India.
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May 1498: Vasco Da Gama

(1) Discovered a new sea from Europe to India in May 1498
(i) In May 1498, Vasco Da Gama reached koppad, Calicut (Kozhikode कोझिकोड), India along with a Gujrati
merchant named Abdul Majid via Cape of Good Hope of Africa.
(ii) He thus discovered a new sea route from Europe to India (sent under the patronage of King Manuel I of
Portugal). It was the single most important discovery in the Age of discovery.
(2) The Hindu ruler of Calicut, Zamorin gave friendly reception to Vasco Da Gama. (Zamorin a dynasty and Manavikramn
was a king)
(3) No successful commercial treaty with Zamorin (Arabs did not want and hence) => strained relation with Zamorian
(4) After staying 3 months in India, Vasco Da Gama returned to Portugal with rich cargo of merchandise which he sold in
European markets at 60 times of cost of his voyage.
1st circumnavigation effort – Magellan (1519-1522AD). Portuguese sailor. Didn’t complete.
2nd circumnavigation effort – Francis Drake (1577-1580AD). Britain Sailor.

Answer – d

European explorers Answer – b (Portugal - > Italy)

Answer – c
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade/Trinangular Trade:
 Page | 5

1. From 16th Centuary onwards, Europeans started colonising North America. First by Britain and then by France.
2. Colonising of South America – Spain and Portugal; Brazil was discovered by Portugal sailor Cabral.
3. British Capitalists supported by the crown started established 13 British colonies in North America beginning 1606 AD
(17th Century). Crops cultivation, bringing raw materials to Britain- Lumber ……Indigo. Finished goods exported to
American British colonies or Africa. In Africa, finished goods were exchanged for gold, silver and slaves. These slaves were
sent to 13 North American British Colonies for crop plantation.
4. Around Sierra Leone (African country)- coast famous for 4 things – GIGS – G (Food Grains, Ivory, Gold and Slaves). Hence,
This tringular trade. That’ why significant black population in USA.
5. 17th – 18th century: British capitalists settle in North America called American Colonists. These capitalists were exploited by
British Government in England. This resulted in Ameircan Resolution (1775 – 1783). Ameircan Colonists (Supported by
France and Spain) Vs Britain (led by cornwallis)
6. Ameircan Colonists vicotorious. France historically was enemy of Britain. France was friend of Spain. Also, there was
supporter of french in India – Tipu Sultan (He didn’t sent troops, he was fighting British in India and support of French in
India)
7. Ameircan Revolution is closely related to 1st Anglo- Maratha war and 2nd Anglo – Mysore war.
Pedro Cabral – 1500
(1) In 1500, Pedro Cabral, a Portuguese explorer and navigator, arrived in Calicut with aim (1) to make trade treaty with
Zamorin (2) setting up a Portuguese factories in Calicut.
(2) In 1500: Opened the first European (Portugues) factory in Calicut (India). Rau: In 1500: He estabished factories in
Calicut, Cochin and Cannanore. Factories – buildings acting as strohouse for goods. Factory surrounding with walls for
protection = Fort.
o He entered into conflict with local Arab Merchants who then attacked the Portugues factory at Calicut killing
many Portugues. Destoyed Calicut factory. [Battle of Calicut 1501]
(3) He discovered Brazil.
(4) Portuguese started following Gun-boat policy (Threatening Indian ships with Portoguese ships fitted with guns)

Vasco Da Gama: 1502

(1) Vasco da Gama came back to India for the second time in 1502 AD. Rau: he visited India thrice.
(2) Portugues hostility continued with Zamorin.
(3) 1503- First (or 2nd) Portugues factory was set up at Cochin (kochi)
(4) 1505 – Second (or 3rd) Portugues factory was set up at Cannanore (Kannur)
 (1) Factories
o Calicut,
o Cochin,
o Cannaore
(2) The Portugues trading points or factories on land were called Fietorias (these were
unfortified trading outposts which also served as bases for naval fleet called
Page | 6 armada)
(3) Early trade comprised of mainly pepper काली मिर्च and cinnamon दालचीनी.

Portugues Governors
Francisco De Almeida फ्रांसिस्को अलमिडा 1505 – 1509
(1) First Portuguese Governor (Viceroy):
 In 1505, he was made First Portuguese Governor (Viceroy) of Portuguese settlements/possessions in India
(Appointed by King of Portugal)
(2) Estado Portugues da India, EPI (1505-1961 AD): Portiguese Government established EPI, a trading company in Portugal
in 1505 AD. Controlled BY Portuguese Monarch. It was this company who had controlled Portuguese territories in India till
1961 AD.
(3) Blue Water Policy: He adopted/introduced Blue Water Policy aimed to establish Portuguese control in Indian Ocean (from
Gulf of Aden to Spice Islands of Indonesia). Cartaze system was an intrument of this policy.
(4) Forts in India
 Forts at Cochin, Calicut & Cannanore.
 First ever Portuguese (European) fort in India as well as in Asia is Fort Emmanuel/Manuel, 1503 AD constructed in
Cochin by a protuguese military man Alfonso de Albuquerque. Except this fort, many forts were constructed at
Cochin, Calicut and Cannanore by Francisco De Almeida.
 Fort Anjediva: He is credited with construction of Fort Anjediva on Anjediva island {also called Anjadip Island}
[Currently, Fort Anjediva is situated on the Anjediva island, off the coast of the Indian state of Karnataka but
under the administrative jurisdiction of the Indian state of Goa]
(5) Battle fought under his Governoship
 Battle of Dabul; Battle of Chaul (1508): Between son of Almeida and combined Muslim naval force (Gujrat
Sultanate and Mamluk sultanate in Egypt) I which combined naval became victorous and Almeida’s son got killed.
(chaul now in Maharashtra state); Battle of Diu (1508, Rau-1509): Almeida defeated combined Muslim naval force
(Gujrat Sultanate and Mamluk sultanate in Egypt) thus establishing supremacy over India ocean. All above in
modern day Maharashtra. In all above, Portuguese fought battles against confederacy of the Egypt, Turkey and
Gujarat.
 All battles because of Cartaze system: Any foreign ship entering into waters of Indian ocean under the control of
Portuguese had to pay tax to portuguese.
Alfonso De Albuquerque अल्फांजो डी अल्बक
ु र्क 1509 – 1515
(1) 2nd Portuguese Governor {viceroy} of the Portuguese Settlements in India. Set up his headquarters at Cochin.
(2) Fort Manuel – Cochin, 1503 AD.
(3) Considered as greatest Portugues viceroy of the Portuguese Settlements in India. Considered as “Real founder of the the
Portuguese Settlements in India”/”Portuguese Empire in India”
(i) 1509- He conquered Diu
(ii) Captured Goa in 1510. Battle of Goa 1510- He conquered Goa by defeating Sultan of Bijapur (Bijapur Sultanate)
Ismail Adil Shah in 1510.
 In Goa, they introduced new crops like (a) Tobacco (b) Cashew Nuts (c) new varities of Coconut.
 First Portuguese (European) Mint in Goa- Afonso de Albuquerque is known to have started the first
Portuguese Mint in the east. The Gold, Silver and bronze पीतल coins bearing the badge of the
Portuguese kings were issued.
(iii) Took complete almost control over Indian Ocean (Malacca, Hormuz and Cartaze system)
 He captured Malacca (a city in Malaysia) in 1511 AD=> Control over Strait of Malacca => Control over
trade route passing through Strait of Malacca. After Goa, more mints were established at Malacca (Today
a city of Malaysia).
 Caputured Hormuz => Control over Strait of Hormuz (The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the
 Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman) => Control over trade route passing through it. Hormuz is an Iranian
island in the Persian Gulf, located in the Strait of Hormuz, 8 kilometres (5 mi) off the Iranian coast, it is
part of a Iranian Province.
 Cartaze system in India Ocean- Ships sailing through Indian Ocean could be seized by the Portugues if
they are sailing without purchasing passes/license. This was a method used by Portuguese to extract
money from Indian ships. Under this system, captions of all Indian ships sailing to a destination not
Page | 7 reserved Cartaze was a trading license that had to be purchased by Ships carrying cargo from Portugues
authorities for sailing through Indian Ocean
(iv) With an aim to enhance Portugues settlements/possessions in India, he encouraged the Portugues (A) to get
married to local Indian women in to enhanace Protugues population in Portugues settlements in India (B) to
propogate and promote christianity.
(v) He abolished Sati in Portugues settlements (Goa+) in India in 1511 AD . (It is said they used to kill men in Goa and
used to do inhuman acts like rape with their wives. Widows had to perform Sati to protect themselves. Portugues
Govt banned it)
(vi) Religious Policy of the Portuguese –
 Encouraged propogation and promotion of christianity through Christian Missionaries.
 Few Christian Missionaries were also involved in religious conversion (Hindu to Christianity)
(vii) In Bengal, Hoogly and Balasore became the Portugues trading centres.
Succeeded by Lopo Albergaria
Nino De Cunha नीनो डी कुन्हा 1529 – 1538 (Rau: 1528-1538 Nino Da Kunha)
(1) 1529 - Was appointed as next major Portuguese Governor
(2) Shifted Capital (Headquarters) of Portuguese settlements in India from Cochin to Goa
(3) Rau: Captured Daman and Diu from Gujarat’s ruler Bahadur Shah in 1529.
(4) Treaty of Bassein (1534) – was signed between Nino and the sultan of Gujarat Bijapur Sultnate Bahadur Shah. On the
basis of treaty of Bassein, Bahadur shah gave Bassein (modern Vasai and Nallasopara in Mumbai Suburbs) to the
Portuguese. Rau: Captured Mumbai in 1534.
Note:
1. Missionaries to Akbar’s court – Rodolfo Aquaviva, Antonio Monserrate, Emmanuel Pinheiro, Jerome Xavier.
2. Established the town of Hooghly – Chinsura, 1579 AD
3. 50 forts in India (at their peak).

Factors for Decline of the Portuguese in India

(1) Weak and inefficient successors of Portugues Viceroy Alfonso De Albuequerque (weak and inefficient later Portugues
Viceory of Portuguese Settlements in India)
(i) After Albuequerque, Portugues administration in India became inefficient because his successors were weak and
inefficient.
(2) Intolerant Religious Policy of the Portuguese made natives hostile.
(i) It is said that Portugues came to India not for trade only but also for propagation and promotion of christainity.
(ii) Portugues were intolerant towards other religions including Hinduism and Islam.
(iii) Abolition of Sati
(iv) With an aim to enhance Portugues settlements/possessions in India, he encouraged the Portugues (A) to get
married to local Indian women in to enhanace Protugues population in Portugues settlements in India (B) to
propogate and promote christianity
(v) Persecution of the Muslims and Hindus in the portuguese settlements/possessions in India.
 (vi) Destruction and looting of temples in the portuguese settlements/possessions in India
(vii) Some instances of forceful Conversion of the Hindus into christianity in the portuguese
settlements/possessions in India
(3) Mughals came to India in 1526. Portugues in India – 1498.
(4) The Portugues discovered Brazil which diverted their imperial/commercial interests from India to Brazil.
(5) Competition and Conflict with other European Companies/powers in India {for monopolising trade}
Page |(i)8 The Portuguese Vs The Dutch
(a) The Dutch fought battles and defeated the Portuguese resulting decline in power of the Portuguese in
India.
(b) Defeated by the Dutch from South-East Asia and ousted in 1596 AD
(c) Lost Sri Lanka (Ceylone) to the Dutch.
(d) Dutch captured Malabar Coast in 1663 AD (Cochin, Calicut and Cannanore driven out)
(ii) The Portuguese Vs The English/British
(a) 1612- Battle of Swally (Rau: Swallyhole)
(1) Between the English and the Portugues
(2) The English led by caption Captain Best
(3) Portugues were defeated
(4) Near Surat.
(b) They had given Bombay as Dowry to British in 1662 AD.
(6) Mughals captured Hoogli-Chinsura in 1632 AD. (Mughal emperor was Shah Jahan I). Portguese were driven out of their
factories in Hooghly. (Why? Religious conversion in Hooghly, P challenged monopoly of Mughals in Salt trade)
(7) Marathas raided captured Goa in 1683 AD. (Maratha Chhatrapati – Shambhaji I)
(8) Salsette and Bassein captured by Marathas in 1739AD.
(9) The Portugues officials were neglected by the home Government. They are provided low salaries encouraging them to
indulge in corruption and malpractise.
(10) Fall of Vijaynagar empire: Portuguese were friends of Vijaynagar rulers. Post collapse of Vijaynagar empire, Portuguese
lost support in South India.
(11) Defeat to Spain in 1580 AD (Portugual were captured by Spain in 1580. Hence policy wrt to India changed.)
(12) Emergence of powerful rulers in Egypt, Persia and India.
(13) Portuguese (1498) enjoyed 100 years of trade monopoly till the arrival of Dutch (1605) and British (1608)
Assignment

These are political factors. What are other factors for decline of Portuguese in India.
Small country with limited resources. Rulers of Portugal were autocratic. Intolerant religious policies. Dishonest trade practices
(many times Portugues used force for trade purposes, threatening Indian producers to sell their products at cheaper price
because of strong military, cartaz system).
By the mid-17th century, the Portuguese finally left India. But three of their setttlements, namely Goa, Diu and Daman
remained in their hands till 1961. In this way, Portuguese were not only the first to come to India but also the last ones to
leave India.
Gunboat policy- Using this policy Portiguese used boats fitted with guns to threaten ships of others.
The Impact of Portuguese
(1) Significant socio-political, religious and economic consequences.
(2) Religious conseqneces
(i) Propogation and promotion christianity in the portuguese possessions/settlements in India.
(ii) The Portuguese christian Missionaries: Promoting christianity + started schools and colleges + some instances of
forceful Conversion of the Hindus into christianity ……..in the portuguese settlements/possessions in India
 (iii) Destruction and looting of temples in the portuguese possessions/settlements in India
(iv) Persecution of the Hindus and the Muslims in the portuguese possessions/settlements in India
(3) The Portugues brought the printing press to India (First printing Press in India in Goa – Francis Xavier) The Bible came to
be printed in the kannad and Malayalam language.
(4) The Portugues had introduced many types of crops, fruits and vegetables in India which they had obtained from different
countries. These included –
Page |a.9 Potato
b. Tobacco
c. Corn
d. Lady’s finger
e. Chilly
f. Pineapple
g. Papaya
h. Leechi
i. Orange
j. Black pepper
k. Groundnuts
l. Cashew
m. Almonds
(5) Established educational institutions, research on Indian history and culture (to rule better)
(6) Portugues influence also established the significane of Navy in sea trade

Arrival of The Dutch (Netherland/Holland) in India

(1) The Dutch were from Holland (Modern day Netherland).
(2) Huyghen van Linschoten (1583 -1589): stolen blueprints of maps of Portuguese in India and went back to Holland and
published a book. Inspired the Dutch to follow footsteps of Portuguese in India.
(3) The Dutch came to India for trade.
(4) Cornelius de Houtman defeated Portuguese in Indonesia (SE Asia) in 1596 and occupied territories.
(5) Cornelius de Houtman कर्नेलिस डि हाऊटमैन (1596) - He was the first Dutch traveller to reach India.
(6) Dutch East India Company (1602)
 Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC)
 United East India Company of Netherland
 Formed in 1602
 First formally -listed public company of the world. Historians also refer it as first Multinational Company of the
World.
(7) Dutch Factories (NMPS)
 1606 - First Dutch Factory in Masulipatnam (in Modern day Andhra Pradesh)
 1610 - The second factory was set up at Pulicat (in Modern day Tamil Nadu)
 1616 - Third Dutch Factory in Surat ( in Modern Day Gujarat)
(8) The head of Dutch Factories were called factors
(9) Initial HQs at Pulicat [Minting of Pagodas (gold coins) + DEIC built Fort Geldria/Fort Geldaria at Pulicat, Tamil Nadu] ->
Later HQs at Masulipatnam Nagapattinam (Now in modern day Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh)
(10) Forts
(i) Fort Geldria/Fort Geldaria at Pulicat, Tamil Nadu
(ii) Gustavus Fort – Chinsura, Bengal
(11) Trading depots/Centres
(i) Gujarat – Surat and Ahmedabad etc.
(ii) Kerala – Cochin
(iii) Madras – Nagapatam (Nagapattinam)
(iv) Andhra Pradesh – Masulipatnam
(v) Bengal – Chinsura (Gustavus Fort)
(vi) Mahe on Malabar Coast
(vii) Uttar Pradesh – Agra
(viii) Bihar – Patna
(12) Other Factories:
(i) Kasimbazar
(ii) Karaikal
 (iii) Balasore
(iv) Golconda
(13) Exported indigo, cotton textiles, saltpetre, raw silk, and opium from India.
(14) Decline of Dutch/Why Dutch got defeated by the British inspite of the fact that they had defeated the Portugues
(i) Short sighted commercial policy
(a) It is said that the commercial interest of the Dutch were more (main) focused Spice Islands including
Page | 10 Java and Sumatra of Indonesia rather than on India.
(b) Further Reading: They pushed out the Portuguese from these islands, and even defeated the English
efforts there.
(c) Short-sighted commercial policy mostly based on trade in spices. (overconcentration on trade in spices)
(ii) Competition and Conflict with other European companies/powers in India
(a) The Dutch vs the Portuguese
 The Dutch along with the English fastened the pace of decline of the Portuguese power in India.
 The Dutch defeated the Portuguese at many places in India.
 Innovative in shipping techniques. They had designed Fluyts, which was much lighter and
required a smaller crew, thus reducing its operating costs. These ships proved to be superior to
the bulkier and slower Portuguese ships.
(b) The Dutch vs the English/British
 Amboyna Massacre 1623 and clashes with British in SE India => Conflicts in SE Asia, bw D and
B. Affecting trade of both. In 1667, Compromise with British. Dutch – to focus on Indonesia and
Spices islands and B – India.
 Battle of Bedara/Battle of Hooghly (Bengal)/Battle of Chinsura 1759: The defeat of Dutch at
the hands of the English in the decisive Battle of Bedera is largely responsible for decline of the
Dutch in India.
o Why?: Policy of Mir Zafar.
(ii) The Dutch EIC was a government company while British EIC was a private company. Rau: DEIC was Government
-supported military -commercial organisation.
(iii) Anglo – Dutch wars (1652 – 1784): Developments in Europe affected DEIC in India.
(iv) Shift in power balance in Europe and rise of the British
(v) Corruption (low salary) and non-performance of duties by VOC personanel.
(vi) Dividend policy – a very share of dividends were shared among shareholders leaving very less for re-investment
as capital.
(vii) Defeated by Raja Marthanda Verma – Battle of Colachel, 1741 AD

Arrival of the English/the British

Arrival of the English/the British

1588 – British (British Commanders – Charles Howard and Francis Drake) defeated “Spanish Armada”
1599 – Establishment of BEIC; British Capitalist Thomas Smythe established a trading company called “Merchant
Adventurers” in 1599. It was a private company. Shareholders included British Monarch (Queen Elizabeth I) and British
Capitalists. Nickname – John Company. BEIC = Merchant Adventurers.
31st Dec 1600 - Queen Elizabeth  I of England granted royal charter to BEIC through which BEIC was given exclusive previledge
(right) of trading East of the Cape of Good Hope for period of 15 years. (BEIC was given monopoly over Eastern Trade for 15
years)

Initial focus of BEIC was on spice trade so initial voyages/expeditions of BEIC was made to spice islands of Indonesia.
 1st Voyage- 1601 - James Lekenster (जेम्स लेकेन्सटर): He reached to Spices islands of South East Asia. He didn’t come to
mainland India but it is said that he had reached to A&N group of islands. Here, James was leading expedition and John
Mildenhall was also a member here. [Rau: Charles Lancaster in place of James Lekenster]
 John Mildenhall (जॉन मिल्डेनहॉल) – 1604- Here was leading expedition. He reached to India [unofficial]. John Mildenhall is
the first Englishman whose burial is recorded in India at Agra. John Mildenhall was able to interview with the Mughal
emperor Akbar. [unofficial]

William Hawkins (विलियम हॉकिं स) (1608) [Official]

(1) William Hawkins was sent as a representative of the BEIC to the court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir to obtain permission
 to open a factory at Surat.
(2) William Hawkins arrived in Surat in 1608 with help of the ship “Hector” loaded with letters & presents from King of
England James I.
(3) Reached to court of Mughal emperor Jahangir at Agra in 1609.
(4) Captain Hawkins was received by Mughal emperor Jahangir with all Indian hospitality and warmth. His letter was read
in the court with the help of a Portuguese Jesuit. Hawkins was well versed in Turkish and Jahangir and some of his
ministers
Page | 11 also knew Turkish, the native tongue of Babur. Discussions took place in Turkish. Jahangir called him “English
Khan“.
(5) Mansab of 400 given to him but no permission to open factory at surat
(i) This English Khan wanted a permission for an English factory at Surat but Mughal emperor didn’t grant (OR)
(ii) The emperor granted permission for an English factory at Surat but later withdrwan
(iii) due to influence of the Portuguese (Portuguese intrigued with Mughal Emperor)
(6) But, BEIC was allowed to set up a trading depot (not factory)- in 1608 in Surat.
(7) Hawkins lived in the court of Mughal emperor till 1611, tried to reverse the orders, but the Portuguese influence over
the King was impregnable.
(8) The English realised that they first have to deal with the Portugues before getting favours from the Mughal Emperor.

Exclusive trading rights extended 1609- A fresh charter was issued to extend exclusive trading rights of EIC indefinitely.

 1611 – Masulipatnam factory

 First {अस्थायी} English factory
 1612- Battle of Swally/Swallyhole
 Between the English and the Portugues
 The English led by caption Captain Best
 Portugues were defeated
 1613 – Surat Factory (permanent factory)
 English established first factory at Surat post granting of permisison by Jahangir.
 Why granted permission?
 In Battle of Swally (1612), English was able to defeat Portuguese. He througt presence of English would
help him to balance Portuguese.
 Jahangir was not happy with Portugues because (a) he also had to take license under cartaze system
introduced by the portuguese Governor Franciso De Almeida + Portuguese intolerant Religious Policy
(b) some other reasons.
Thomas Roe थॉमस रो (1615) no need to remember year
(1) In 1615, Thomas Roe, sent by England King James I as an ambassador, reached to the court of Jahangir.
(2) He got royal farman from Jahangir permitting BEIC to trade and establish factories in all parts of the Mughal Empire.
(3) By 1623, English established were factories at –
(i) Masulipattanam {temporary}
(ii) Surat
(iii) Ahmedabad
(iv) Bharuch (भरूच) {formerly known as Broach; a city in Gujarat}
(4) Note: Later on the factories were established at
(i) Madras,
(ii) Bombay and
(iii) Calcutta.
 Soon the English began to feel insecure in the absence of fortified settlements and made an attempt to fortify factory at
Surat (in 1625) which was resisted by the Mughal and the English was jailed.
 The English realised that they should focus on south India
 to avoid direct confronttation with the Mughal
 Indian Governent in south India was not so strong. Vijaynagar kingdom by that time had already been broken
into smaller and weaker states.
Madras
(1) In 1632, Sultan of Golconda, Abdullah Qutb Shah, issued a Golden farman in favour of the BEIC to trade freely from
the ports of Golconda on annual payment of 500 pagodas. [Access to ports of Golconda; made BEIC rich]
(2) First BEIC factory on eastern coast?
(3) Note: Factory – Head is Factor; Fortified factory is Fort; Town developed surrounding Fort/Factory. Person-in-charge of
town is called President. That town is called Presidential Town or Presidency. First British Presidential town/Presidency in
 India – Surat; In fact, Surat was the first British Capital in India.
(4) Fort Saint George/ Fort St. George (established in 1644)
(i) Need?
 BEIC felt the necessity of a port closer to the Malaccan Straits to secure its trade lines and commercial
interests in the spice trade.
 It also helped to establish English influence over the Carnatic and to keep the kings of Arcot and
Page | 12 Srirangapatna, as well as the French forces based at Pondichéry, at bay.
(ii) In 1639, Francis Day (the English) obtained a piece of coastal land on lease from the Damerla Venkatappa
डमेरला वें कटप्पा, Raja of Chandragiri (a Vijaynagar Chieftain). [Rau: Sri Rangaraya]
(iii) The Raja allowed the English to establish factory fort on land leased, and to mint coins on the certain conditions
(that the English will pay half the customs revenue of the port)
(iv) Thus, the English set up a factory and built a small fort around it called Fort Saint George in 1640. [First British
Fort in India]
(v) A new settlement area developed surrounding Siant George was called George Town (historically referred to as
Black Town) which further grew to envelop the villages and led to the formation of the city of Madras in 1654.
(1640: George Town -> Madras Presidency 1654).
(5) Fort Devnampatnam
(i) 1690 – The English bought the Fort Devnampatnam, near Madras, and renamed it as Fort St. David.
Bengal
(1) 1651 – In 1651, the first English {BEIC} factory in Bengal was set up at Hoogly upon receiving permision of Mughal
Subahdar, Shah Shuja.
(2) 1691 - Job Charnock, an agent of the BEIC, established a factory at Sutanuti of BEIC. [Permission: A’zb or Mughal
Shubadar?]
(3) In 1698, BEIC bought Zamindari of 3 villages of Sutanuti, Gobindapur and Kalikata [these villages near by Sutanuti]
from Mughal Subahdar अज़ीम-उस-सान on payment of Rs 1200 [citing threats to sutanuti factory]
(4) 1700 – Fort William was established in 1700 (2nd British Fort in India).
(5) Around Fort William, Calcutta city developed.
(6) Charles Eyre was appointed President of Fort William and Calcutta.
(7) ‘Calcutta does not have a birthday,' announces High Court
(i) In the year 2003, High Court in Calcutta ruled out Job Charnock -- widely held to have founded Calcutta with the
British East India Company in 1690 -- and announced that his name should be struck from school textbooks,
official documents, and websites.
(ii) According to a Telegraph report, the court added that no one person could be credited with founding the city and
Calcutta had grown up from rural settlements, a process that began before Charnock set up camp on the
swampy banks of the Hooghly river in 1690.
Bombay
In 1662- The King of England, Charles – II, received Bombay as dowry from the Portuguese on marrying with a Portuguese
princess Catherine.
In 1668- The Crown, Charles – II, leased Bombay to BEIC on annual payment of 10 pounds.
Soon , BEIC fortified Bombay in wake of threats from rising power of the Marathas.
Bombay replaced Surat as new Capital on Western coast in 1687. Bombay replaced surat as the principal depot of the
company on west coast.

Arrival of The Danes

(1) The Danes came from Denmark.

(2) 1616- The Danish East India Company (DEIC) was established. Official Name: Ostindisk Kompagni. First Company (1616-
1650) and Second Company (1670-1729). Second Company renamed as the Asiatic Company (Aisatik Kompagni) in 1730.
(3) Factories
(i) 1620 – First factory at Tranquebar, near Tanjore तंजौर (Tamil Nadu) [Raghunath Nayak of Tanjore]. Danish HQ.
{Tarangambadi}
(ii) 1776 – Factory at Serampore (Bengal). {Real name of Serampore – Sri Rampur}
(iii) Factories- Surat, Masulipatnam, Balasore and Serampore.
(4) 1755- Founded a colony called Fredricknagore near Serampore in Bengal.
(5) DEIC went bankrupt (making financial losses) and Serampur was transferred to the Danish Crown.
(6) 1854 – All factories sold out to BEIC (Denmark ceded Serampur to Britain, thus ending nearly 150 years of Danish
 presence in Bengal.
(7) Rau: Main focus was on Missionary activities. No major political impact on India. Sold possessions to British and quit India
by 1845.

Arrival of The French

Page | 13

Purpose of arrival: Trade

1664: The French East India Company

(1) 1664 - The French East India Company established. (Official
(2) Colbert, Finance minister of French King Louis XIV, played a key in establising this company ( Here It is Pvt company).
French Factories
(1) The Francois Caron (First expedition) of FEIC reached India in 1667. He established
(a) First Factory – 1667 – Surat (Director General - Francis Caron) [A’zeb permission]
(b) Second Factory – 1668- Masulipattanam
(2) Later on, factories - Chandranagore (1673) in Bengal, Mahe, Karaikal, Yanam, Balasore, and Qasim Bazar.
Pondicherry (1674)
(1) Caron was replaced by Francois Martin.
(2) The FEIC/French/Francois Martin फ्रांसिस मार्टिन, in 1674, received a village as grant from the Sultan of Bijapur {Sher Khan
Lodhi}, and founded it as Pondicherry in 1674. French factory established in 1674– Pondicherry.
(3) In 1701, Pondicherry was made the capital of the French settlements in India.
(4) Note: Goa, Portuguese territory was never captured by any foreign powers including British. However, in case of
Pondicherry, it was captured by the Dutch (later returned under Treaty of Ryswik) and captured by the British in 1761
(during 3rd Carnatic war) and later returned under Treaty of Paris.
(5) FEIC reorganised in 1720 and renamed as Perpetual Company of the Indies. (here Pvt company -> Govt company)
Chandranagore चंद्रनगर
The FECI/French also bought a site (some area) near Calcutta from the then Mughal subahdar of Bengal {शाइस्ता खान}, and
built the town of chandernagore on that area (1690-92).
Note: French Governors
1. Francois Caron – 1st French Governor
2. Francois Martin – founder of Pondicherry
3. …….
4. ……
5. Dupleix (1742- 1754) – Most Imp French Governor
6. Godeheu
(1) Further Reading
(i) 1693- The Dutch captured Pondicherry in 1693 but later returned to FEIC under Treaty of Reswick.
(ii) So, FEIC firm control over = Pondicherry + Chandernagore
(iii) The French also acquired control over islands of Mauritius and Reunion in the Indian Ocean.
(iv) The French also consolidated their position by adding several bases including Mahe, Karaikal, Balasore and
Kasimbazar.

Note
1. Centers – Madras, Bombay, Bengal.
2. 1708- Papillion Syndicate and Merchant adventurer amalgamated to form a new company called ‘United Company of
the Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies’.
3. Merchant Adventurer= John Company=Old EIC
4. New Company = New EIC = BEIC
5. Arrival of Europeans: P (1498) – Dutch – B (1608) – F (1667)

Organisational Structure
 Page | 14

British Monarch

European Factories

Establishment of BEIC’s Rule in India /How the BEIC ruled in India (1757-1858)/Direct rule of BEIC/Indirect rule of BEIC
1. Wars
2. Polices (Constitutional + Policies - Political, Social, Religious and Economic) such as
a) Subsdiary Policy: Introduced Used by Lord Wellesley
b) Doctrine of Lapse: Introduced by Lord Dalhousie
Note: Direct rule of British Monarch (1858-1947) through Polices (Constitutional + Policies - Political, Social, Religious and
Economic)
Wars fought by BEIC against Europeans

The British Vs the Portuguese

Battle of Swally (1612)

ThePage | 15
British Vs the Dutch
Battle of Chinsura (1759)/ Battle of Hoogly (1759)/ Battle of Bedara (1759)

The British Vs the French

Three carnatic wars (1740- 63)
1. First Carnatic War (1740-48) [Rau: 1746-48]
2. Second Carnatic War (1749-54)
3. Third Carnatic War (1756-63) including Battle of Wandiwash 1760 [Rau:1758-63]
Note- Order: 1st Carnatic war -> 2nd Carnatic -> Battle of Plassey (1757) -> 3 rd Carnatic (Parallel: 3rd Battle of Panipat 1761) -> Battle
of Buxar (1764)

War fought by BEIC against the Indians (Indian kings/chiefs)

(a) Against Bengal (Anglo-Bengal wars)

1.   Battle of Plassey (1757)
2.   Battle of Buxar (1764)
(b) Against Mysore (Anglo - Mysore wars)
These were 4 wars
1. First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-69)
2. Second Anglo-Mysore War 1780-84
3. Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92)
4. Fourth Anglo Mysore War (1799) (defeat and death of Tipu Sultan)
(c) Against the Marathas (Anglo-Maratha wars)
These were 3 wars
1. First Anglo-Maratha War 1775-82
2. Second Anglo-Maratha War 1803-05
3. Third Anglo-Maratha War 1817-18 (also known as the Pindari War)
(d) Against Punjab (Anglo-Sikh Wars)
These were two wars
1. First Anglo-Sikh War 1845-46
2. Second Anglo-Sikh War 1848-49
The Carnatic Wars (1740 – 63)
Background

(1) Carnatic was the name given by Europeans to the Coromandel coast and its hinterland.
(2) BEIC and FEIC were commercial organisations. Both wanted to monopolise the Indian market by eliminating the other in
India. Hence, conflict/rivalry between the English and the French in India was inevitable.
(3) Prevailing political situations in south India in 1740 => 1740, South India emerged as the arena of Anglo-French rivalry
(i) as it had become the main centre of French activities with Pondicherry as capital.
(ii) The French had also begun to wield great influence in the neighbouring states of Hyderabad and Mysore.
(iii) Besides, there was not much scope in western India because of the powerful Marathas, while Eastern India was
under the strict control of able Nawab Alivardi Khan.
(iv) In 1740, prevailing political situations in south India weak provided ground for rivalry between FEIC and BEIC in
South India. The entire south India was divided into minor Rajas, Nawabs and petty chieftains who fought with
each other for supremacy. British and French took opposite sides to support these rivals and increase their own
dominance.

The First Carnatic War (1740 – 48) [Rau: 1746-48]

Austrian war of succession (1740-48)

(1) In 1740, Austrian War of Succession began in Europe between Austria and Prussia. France and Britain joined opposite
camps. Hence, conflicts between the French {the FEIC} and the English {the BEIC} in India was inevitable.
(i) Prince Maria Theresa succeded to throne of Austira. Britain support this succesion and France opposed it. Charles,
King of Austria,
(2) It was the BEIC who started war in India by capturing some French Navy ships off the Coromandel Coast in India.
(3) There was not french fleet in India at that time and hence Dupleix, the French Governor, requested from the French
Governor
Page | 16 of Mauritius to send some French Navy fleets to India.
(4) In 1746: FEIC army (French Governor: Dupleix) attacked the English and captured …….. and imprisoned the British Company
servants including Robert Clive.
(i) (Madras)/ [Rau]
(ii) (Fort St. George and other near by places)/
(iii) (British possessions in Madras including Fort St. George)/
(iv) Fort St. George at Madras
(v) (the British settlements at Madras)/
(vi) (the BEIC settlements at Madras)
The English sought help from the Nawab of Carnatic (Anwaruddin Khan)
When the BEIC requested for help from Nawab Anwaruddin for taking back Madras, Nawab asked the FEIC to quit/return
Madras. But, the French denied to do so.
Battle of Adyar/Battle of San Thome/Battle of St. Thome (in Madras) 1746
(1) FEIC Vs Anwaruddin
(2) To recapture Madras from FEIC, Nawab of Carnatic sent an army of 10K under Mahfuz Kahn, his son, which met the French
army of strength 930 (230 Europeans + 700 Indians) on the banks of river Adyar near (San Thome) in Madras in 1746 in
which the French won over Nawab’s army, to everyone’s surprise.
(3) Significanse of Battle of St. Thome (सेंट थोमें )- (a) demonstrated superiority of European troops (b) Exposed military weakness
of the Indian rulers (c) enhanced confidence of FEIC to further its colonial interets in India (d) small modern European can
easily defeat huge medieval Indian army.
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ए ला शापेल की संधि (1748)
(1) Austrian war of Succession: Camp of British became victorious over camp of French. [Rau]
(2) In 1748, the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ended the Austrian war of succession in Europe and this also Ended First Carnatic war
in 1748.
(3) With this treaty, the FEIC returned “Captured British Posessions in Madras”/”Fort St. George”/”Madras” to the BEIC and
the British returned Louisburg in North America to the French.
Significant/Implications of First Carnatic War
Victory of small FEIC Army (around 1K) over relatively large army (10K) of Nawab of Carnatic in Battle of St. Thome 1746 boosted
the confidence of Dupleix/FEIC to expand political influence in South India
Draw: Status quo bw BEIC and FEIC, existing before war, maintained after war. Hence, carnatic war was a draw bw the two. [Rau]

Second Carnatic War (1749-54) कर्नाटक का द्वितीय युद्ध

Background
(1) Mughal Empire -> Hyderabad -> Carnatic (Hyderbad acting independently of Mughal emperor and Carnatic working
independently of Hyderbad)
(2) Victory of small FEIC Army (around 1K) over relatively large army (10K) of Nawab of Arcot in Battle of St. Thome 1748
boosted the confidence of Dupleix/FEIC to expand political influence in South India, and succession disputes at both
Carnatic and Hyderabad (Dynastic fueds at both Carnatic and Hyderabad) provided an opportunity => A proxy war
between BEIC and FEIC continued in India even after the First Carnatic War ended in 1748
(3) Rau: Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah I (was Nizam bw1724-1748). Nawab of Carnatic was to be appointed by Nizam. Nizam
appointed Dost Ali as Nawab of Carnatic (Capital: Arcot) (was Nawab: 1732-40). Dost Ali and the Marathas enermy (Marathas
– Hindu and Dost Ali – Muslim & Issues pertaining to Chauth and Sardeshmukhi). Dost Ali attacked and killed by the
Marathas in 1740 and his Son-in-Law (SIL) Chanda Sahib imprisioned (also enemy of Maratha, in prision fr 1740-48). Fighting
among family members (Son of Dost Ali & brother-in-law) to become next Nawab of Carnatic and hence for 1740-44 (4 yrs),
political choas in Carnatic. 1744, both died. In 1744, there was no qualified male family member of Dost Ali to become next
Nawab and only male member Chanda Sahib was in imprision. Anwaruddin was appointed as Nawab Carnatic by Nizam.
Dost Ali family was angry as he was not from Dost Ali family. Nizam died in 1748 (natural death). Nasir Jung (1 st son Nizam
Asaf Jah I) became next Nizam of Hyderabad through a military coup. It was opposed by Muzaffar Jung (Grandson of Asaf Jah
I). Muhammad Ali was son of Anwaruddin.
Immediate Cause
(1) Hyderabad - In 1748, after death of Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah (or Asaf Jah I), Nasir Jung, son of Asaf Jah became
Nawab of Hyderabad which was opposed by Muzaffar Jung, grandson of Asaf Jah I.
(2) Carnatic – In 1748, Chanda Sahib released from imprisonment of the Marathas. Chanda Sahib wanted to become Nawab of
Carnatic by replacing Anwaruddin, the then existing Nawab of Carnatic.
Intervention of Dupleix
Page | 17
Hyderabad –
(a) Nasir Jung नासीर जंग (son of Asaf Jah) -
Vs
(b) Muzaffar Jung मुज़फ्फर जंग (Grandson of Asaf Jah) – French Support
(c) Family members conflict
Carnatic –
(a) Anwaruddin (was existing Nawab of Carnatic)
Vs
(b) Chanda Sahib – French Support
(c) Family relation
Rau: BEIC extened support to Nizam Nasir Jung for Hyderabad and Nawab Anwardduin for Carnatic {line applicable here or later
on?}
FEIC (Dupleix) pledged/extended for Muzaffar Zang for Hyderabad and Chanda Sahib for Carnatic.
Thus, a tripartite understanding between the French, Muzaffar Zang and Chanda Sahib developed.

Battle of Ambur (1749): French installed their protégé, Chanda Sahib, in Carnatic in 1749
(1) In 1749, the three allies (the French, Muzaffar Zang and Chanda Sahib) killed Nawab Anwaruddin of Carnatic at Battle of
Ambur, near Vellore.
(2) His son Muhammad Ali fled to Trichinopoly (also Trichy) (Rau: lived under BEIC protection in a British fort in Trichinopoly)
and Chanda Sahib became Nawab of Carnatic.
(3) Chanda Sahib rewarded the French with a grant of 80 villages near Pondicherry.
(4) Nasir Zang sought support of British to support him (fear as group led by French might kill him also)+ the English also saw
that the French brought one such kingdom under its influence => the English decided to support Nasir Jung and
Muhammad Ali as Nawab for Hyderabad and Carnatic respectively. Thus, second phase of Anglo-French war, also
known as second Carnatic war began.
French install their Protégé, Muzaffar Jung, in Hyderabad
(1) The French and their allies (Chanda Sahib and Muzaffar Jung) killed Nasir Jung (in 1750) and the French installed Muzaffar
Jung as Nawab of Hyderabad.
(i) Muzaffar Jung rewarded Dupleix by appointing him honorary governor of all the Mughal Dominations south of the
River Krishna.
(ii) Terrorities near Pondicherry as well as the famous market town of Masulipatnam were also ceded to the French.
(iii) In return, the French/Dupleix placed the French army in Hyderabad for protection Muzaffar Jung.
(2) Thus, it appeared that both British protégés were defeated and Dupleix dream was about to come true.
(3) French made Salabat Jung [younger brother of Muzaffar Jung] as Nawab of Hyderabad
(i) 1751 - However, soon, French protégé Muzaffar Jung was killed in an accidental skirmish. [in local battle, he
got killed accidentally by Afghans]
(ii) French quickly put his nominee Salabat Jung on throne and maintained French Influence on Hyderabad for
several years.
 (iii) The Nizam of Hyderabad gave the French four rich districts of the Coromandel Coast known as the Northern
Circars (or Northern Sarkars), comprising Musatafanagar, Ellore, Rajamundary and Chinacole.
(4) The French (Dupleix French Governor) told that French army would be installed in Hyderabad and Carnatic to provide
protection including against the English and their expenditure would be borne out by respective provinces.
(5) The British had realized that there was a serious threat to their position in south India (The British factory and port situated
at Madras was surrounded by hostile territory- Hyderabad and Carnatic)
The Siege
Page |of
18Arcot (23 September – 14 November 1751)
(1) Muhammad Ali (the son of the late Nawab Anwaruddin) had taken refuge in the fortress of Trichinopoly. Ali was supported
by a handful of his own men and about 600 British troops.
(2) Chanda Sahib led a large force to capture Trichinopoly and besieged fort of Trichinopoly. [250 KMs – Trichinopoly and
Arcot]
(3) Robert Clive, a one-time East India Company clerk (in Madras factory of BEIC), proposed a plan to the British governor at
Madras (Saunders). Rather than challenging the strong combined forces of French and Chanda Sahib at Trichinopoly, BEIC
should do surprise attack on Arcot with the goal of forcing Chanda Sahib to lift the siege at Trichinopoly.
(4) British Governor of Madras (Saunders) sent Robert Clive and Stringer Lawrence (from Royal Army of England) along with just
300 soldiers to attack and capture Arcot and Arcot was captured by small BEIC Army of approx 300 soldiers. To save Arcot,
Chanda Sahib returned to Arcot lifting siege at Trichonopoly fort.
(5) Chanda Sahib was captured and killed (beheaded by the Raja Travancore. [Not Imp]
(6) After death of Chanda Sahib, Muhammad Ali became Nawab of Carnatic.
Recall of Dupliex 1754
(1) 1754 – The Dupleix was called back by the French Government as french authorities considered Dupleix’s policies
responsible for financial losses of FEIC (wasting money in wars resultings financial losses of FEIC) (implication – considered
as beginning of decline of French in India)
(2) Godeheu – Next French Governor General in India (order to establish peace with BEIC)
Treaty of Pondicherry 1754
Godehu concluded a treaty with the English/BEIC in 1754.
o Both agreed not to interfere in the querrels of Indian princes.
Implications of Second Carnatic War
(1) In this war, both France and England were at peace in Europe. Thus, this was an unofficial war between the two companies.
(2) Dupleix was recalled to France and was replaced by Godehu.
(3) Godehu, signed a treaty of Pondicherry in 1754 and by this both countries agreed to not to interfere in quarrels of Indian
princes.
(4) After this treaty, the French continued to maintain hold over Hyderabad for some time and the English maintained strong
hold/influence over Carnatic.

Third Carnatic War (1756-63) कर्नाटक का तत

ृ ीय यद्ध
ु

Seven Years’ War (1756 -63)

(1) In Europe+ when Austria wanted to recover Silesia in 1756 (Austria occupied territory Silesia: Rau) + the Seven Years War
(1756-63) started in 1756 + Once again, Britain and French were once again joined the opposite sides/camps.
(2) Hence, hostilities between the French and English was also inevitable in India {+ North America, Africa, Philippines}.

Capture of Chandernagore 1757

The British Forces were able to capture the French Settlements at Chandernagore in 1757.
1757 – Battle of Plassey – The English became more powerful in India.
Arrival of Count de Lally (April 1758)
Count de Lally new French Governor in April 1758.
Immediate Cause (1758)
(1) 1758 + the French Army under Count de Lally captured Fort St. David (near Madras) and other small BEIC’s possessions.
(2) In retaliation, the English attacked the French territory - 2 districts of Northern Sarkars (Masulipatnam and Rajamundry)
Battle of Wandiwash (1760)
(1) Year - 1760 and Place - Wandiwash (now in modern day Tamil Nadu)+ FEIC Army under Count de Lally Vs BEIC Army
under Eyre Coote + The BEIC Army won this battle on 22 January, 1760.
(2) After Wandiwash, the French capital of Pondicherry captured by the BEIC in 1761.
(3) Shortly, thereafter Jinje and Mahe on Malabar coast also surrendered to English leaving the French without even a toehold
in India
Treaty of Paris (1763)
(1) The Third Carnatic war ended officially in 1763 with the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris, at the end of the Seven Years war.
(2) As per Treaty + BEIC returned Chandernagore and Pondicherry and some other french settlements to the FEIC but these
were never to be fortifiied again and could only function as mere trading centres (military power: No)
Implication/significance of Third Carnatic War (1758 – 63)
(1) Third Carnatic War put an end to the ambition of FEIC to create a colonial empire in India
(2) Page
Their|hold
19 was restricted to Chandranagar, Pondicherry, Yenam and Mahi for trading purpose only
(3) BEIC became now the supreme European power in India + No European rival to BEIC in India
Causes for Failure of France and Success of British

(1) Structure and Nature of the trading company

(i) EIC was a private private company. PEIC, Dutch EIC+ FEIC were largely owened and hence controlled by the
Government.
(ii) FEIC completely depended on Government for finance and others + The corruption was very much prevalent in
French Government and the same reflected in company also.
(2) Naval Superiority
(i) The then Royal Navy of Britain + largest navy + most advanced navy
(ii) One of the reasons behind that + British were able to defeat the Portuguese and the French + due to strong, and
fast movement of the naval ships.
(3) Military Skill and Discipline
(i) The British soliders were a disciplined lot and well trained and equipped with modern equipments.
(ii) All this combined to enable smaller groups of English fighters defeat large armies.
(4) Recalling of Dupleix in 1754
(i) Recalling of Dupleix in 1754 by French Government was a blunder + vacuum created by Dupleix (1742 –1754)
followed was not filled by successive French Governor Generals - Godeheu (1754 – 1754) + Leyrit (1754–1758) +
Count de Lally or Comte de Lally (1758 – 1761)
(ii) Count de Lally was the French Governor General in India and Commander in Chief during the Third Carnatic war +
Count de Lally lacked the foresight and statesmanship of Dupleix.
(iii) Departure of Dupleix from Hyderabad ended the French influence in Hyderabad + Nizam Salabat Zing, who was
helped by the FEIC under Dupleix in becoming Nizam, allied himself with the English and gave Northern Circars to
the English.
(5) French subordinated their Commercial Interest to Territorial Ambitions
(i) The French Company subordinated their Commercial interests to their territorial ambitions. This worsened the
financial position of the company.
(6) Commercial Superiority and Better Financial Position
(i) The trade carried on by the English Company was far greater than the French Company. Between 1736 to 1756, the
trade of British Company was four times than that of French company.
(ii) The financial position of French further deteriorated with the third Carnatic war and by the close of this war, it was
not able to pay even its troops.
Q

Page | 20

Answer -c

Answer – c

Mains Question

Anglo – Bengal Wars

Anglo – Bengal Wars

1. The Battle of Plassey 1757
2. The Battle of Buxar 1764
Bengal on the Eve of British Conquest
Subahdar used to be highest officer of a province. Diwan was not highest position in a suba. Diwan used to deal with revenue
collection.
Bengal was the richest province [subah (सब
ू ा)] of Mughal empire.

Why richest province? (Bengal’s trade importance)

Page | 21 exported Rice, Indigo, Pepper (Kali Mirch), Sugar, Silk (Resham), Cotton Textiles, Handicrafts, etc., to
1. Bengal
Europe. 60% of total export of Asia to Europe used to be from Bengal.
2. Agriculture was flourishing.
3. 1700 – 1756
(i) was largely peace period for Bengal which contributed in making Bengal a prosporous Mughal province while
rest of India was disturbed by – In north attacks by Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali, South – war for
succession, Jat revolts, Maraths revolts, etc.
(ii) One more reason for prosperity of Bengal – Bengal were governed largely by able nawabs such as – Murshid
Quli Khan, Shuja-ud-Din,…….., and Alivardi Khan.
Bengal’s trade importance + other reasons ….……..gave confidence to BEIC that they can capture Bengal.
1. Victory of EIC over FEIC in south in 3rd Carnatic War
2.
Presence of BEIC in Bengal
(1) In 1651, the first English factory in Bengal was set up at Hooghly post receiving permision of Mughal Subahdar, Shah
Shuja.
(2) The same year, much pleased with the services of Mr. Boughton in curing a royal lady, the Subahdar granted the Company
the privileges of free trade throughout Bengal, Bihar and Orissa for a nominal lump sum payment of Rs. 3,000.
(i) Emperor Farrukhsiyar’s Royal Farman of 1717 confirmed these trade privileges.
(3) Soon after English factories sprang up at Kassimbazar, Patna and other places in the province.
(4) Fort William was built in the year 1696 by the BEIC (Sir Charles Eyre as its first president)
(5) 3 villages – Foundation of Calcutta (1698)
(i) In 1698 – the English bought Zamindari of 3 villages of Sutanuti, Gobindapur and Kalikata from Mughal
Subahdar Azim-us-Shan अज़ीम-उस-सान on payment of Rs 1200.
(ii) These 3 villages were merged to form city of Calcutta (now the city of Kolkata)
(iii) Job Charnock (जॉब चार्नोक), an administrator with the British East India Company, is traditionally credited with the
honour of founding the city.
Bengal Governors

1700-12 (Murshid Quli Khan as a Diwan of Bengal) & (Azim-us-Shan as a Subahdar of Bengal)

Aurangzeb (Mughal emperor during 1658-1707) + Bahadur Shah I (Mughal emperor during 1707-1712)
During this period, Murshid Quli Khan was Diwan of Bengal and Azim-us-Shan was Subahdar of Bengal

1712 – 17 (Murshid Quli Khan as a Subahdar+Diwan of Bengal)

Jahandar Shah (Mughal emperor during 1712-13) + Farrukhsiyar (Mughal Emperor during 1713-19)
Murshid Quli Khan was Diwan of Bengal but Also Playing role of Subahdar
Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717
Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717
In 1717 Emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a farman that includes confirming the free trading rights granted by earlier subahdars of
Bengal and according permission to the Company to rent additional territory around Calcutta among others.

1717 – 1727 (Murshid Quli Khan as a Nawab of Bengal)

In 1717, Murshid Quli Khan became Subahdar of Bengal/Nawab of Bengal

Capital changed to Murshidabad from Dhaka
From here onwards, he can be called as Nawab of Bengal as Bengal started behaving like independent province
Opposed Misuse of BEIC’s Dastaks by BEIC’s Officials+ Why? - Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717
1727 – 1739 (Shuja-ud-Din as a Nawab of Bengal)

1727 + Murshid Quli Khan died in 1727 + Shuja-ud-din (shujauddin), (son-in-law) damad of Murshid Quli khan, became
Nawab of Bengal + (Murshid Quli Khan was last appointee by Mughal emperor and from Murshid Quli khan onwards no more)
Opposed
Page |Misuse
22 of BEIC’s Dastaks by BEIC’s Officials+ Why? - Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717

1739- 40 (Sarfaraz Khan as a Nawab of Bengal)

1739+ Death of Shuja-ud-din + Sarfaraz Khan, son of Shuja-ud-din, became Nawab of Bengal
Opposed Misuse of BEIC’s Dastaks by BEIC’s Officials+ Why? - Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717

1740 - 1756 (Alivardi Khan as a Nawab of Bengal)

1740+ Battle of Giria (1740) – Sarfaraz Khan attacked by Alivardi Khan and Sarfaraz Khan died and Alivardi Khan became
Nawab of Bengal.
Opposed Misuse of BEIC’s Dastaks by BEIC’s Officials+ Why? - Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717
During reign of Alivardi Khan, there were significant attacks by the Maratha in Bengal. Taking advantage of the Maratha
incursions into Bengal, the English obtained the Nawab’s permission to dig a ditch and throw up an entrenchment around their
settlement of Fort William.

1756 - 1757 (Siraj-ud-Daulah सिराजउददौला as a Nawab of Bengal)

(1) 1756 + Alivardi khan died in 1756 + Only 3 Daughters of Alivardi Khan (It is said that all damads died during his reign)+ Siraj-
ud-Daulah सिराजउददौला (grandson of Siraj-ud-Daulah), son of youngest daughter, became Nawab of Bengal.
(2) Only 3 daughters of Alivardi Khan => Siraj ki दो मौसी
(3) Challenges Before Siraj-ud-Daulah+ तीन तरफ़ा मोर्चा
1. Nawab of Purnea – Shaukat Jang- पूर्णिया का शौकतजंग (एक मौसी का पत्र
ु )- he was also keen to become Nawab of
Bengal
2. Ghasiti Begum - ढाका की घसीटी बेगम (दस
ू री मौसी) और Diwan Raj Ballabh
3. अंग्रेज़ (supporting 1 and 2)
(4) Oct 1756+ Battle of Manihari मनिहारी – Siraj defeated and killed Shaukat Jang
(5) Opposed Misuse of BEIC’s Dastaks by BEIC’s Officials+ Why? - Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717

Battle of Plassey 1757

List of Nawab of Bengal

1717 – 1727 (Murshid Quli Khan as a Subahdar of Bengal/Nawab of Bengal)***

1727 – 1739 (Shuja-ud-Din as a Nawab of Bengal)
1739- 40 (Sarfaraz Khan as a Nawab of Bengal)
1740 - 1756 (Alivardi Khan as a Nawab of Bengal)
1756 - 1757 (Siraj-ud-Daulah सिराजउददौला as a Nawab of Bengal)***
1757 – 1760 (Mir Jafar)
1760 – 1763 (Mir Qasim)
1763 – 1765 (Mir Jafar)
 1765 – 1766 (Najm Ud Daulah)
1766 – 1770 (Saif Ud Daulah)
1770 – 1772 (Mubarak Ud Daulah)

1756: Siraj ud Daulah became Nawab of Bengal

Page | 23

Rau: Siraj ud Daulah

Reasons for Battle of Plassey/Siraj Vs English clash reason

1. [Immediate Reason] Strengthening of Fortification of Fort William in Calcutta by BEIC without permisison of Bengal Nawab
2. The BEIC also annoyed Siraj ud Daulah by giving asylum to political offenders (political fugitives) from Bengal
3. Opposed Misuse of Dastaks by BEIC+ Why? - Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717
Strengthening of Fortification of Fort William in Calcutta by BEIC without permisison of Bengal Nawab
(1) Seven years war began in Europe in 1756. In 1756, FEIC and BEIC both anticipated that “Seven years war” might extend to
India also. To protect Forts in Bengal from possible attacks by each other, both started strengthening fortification of their
Forts in Bengal without permission of Nawab of Bengal i.e. Siraj ud Daulah.
(2) For example, the English had begun to 'strengthen the fortifications of Fort William and mounted guns on the walls of the
fort.
(3) When Nawab asked both BEIC and FEIC to stop fortification. FEIC stopped but BEIC continued.
(4) Note: Calcutta+Kasimbazar – BEIC; Chandranagore - FEIC
The BEIC also annoyed Siraj-ud-daulah by giving asylum to political offenders (political fugitives) from Bengal
(1) The BEIC also annoyed Siraj-ud-daulah (Siraj-ud-Daula) by giving asylum to political offenders (political fugitives) from
Bengal. For example, BEIC gave asylum to asylum to political fugitive Krishna Das [jewels stolen from Siraj ud Daulah;
Krishan das was son of Rai Vallabh; he asked BEIC to return but BEIC did not return]
(2) The BEIC also indirectly provided lending support to the claims of Ghasiti Begum.
Opposed Misuse of BEIC’s Dastaks by BEIC’s Officials+ Why? - Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717

Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar’s Farman of 1717

(1) In 1717, the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a royal farman granting the BEIC many trade priviledges. This royal
farman is also called….
(2) Why Farman? + William Hamilton: In 1715, an English mission led by John Surman had came to the court of Mughal
Emperor Farrukhsiyar. Farrukhsiyar was ill and hence John Surman sent a British Surgeon called William Hamilton and
performed two surguries and cured Farrukhsiyar of a disease (swelling in the groin).
(3) Important terms of Royal farman of 1717
(i) The BEIC was permitted to carry out trade in Bengal, Bombay and Madras (without payment of) free of
regular customs duty. However, BEIC had to pay nominal annual payment of Rs 3,000 to Mughal Emperor. [BEIC
-Import-export-inlimited]
(ii) To ensure movement of goods without paying regular custom duties, BEIC was also given the right to issue
dastak. Dastak was a trade permit which exempted the goods specified from payment of custom duties.
(iii) The BEIC was also permitted to mint its own coins and further fortify Calcutta.
(iv) The EIC was permitted to rent more land near Calcutta
(v) Trading privileges in Gujarat and Hyderabad (Carrying out free trade except on payment of nominal charges).
(vi) Coins of BEIC minted at Bombay were given recognition throughout Mughal empire (BEIC के सिक्को की मुग़ल
साम्राज्य में मान्यता)
(vii) Note: The BEIC servants were also permitted to carry out private trade but were not covered by this farman and
hence were required to pay the same taxes as Indian merchants. However, the dastaks were later misused by the
Company’s servants to carry out private trade without paying regular custom duty.
(4) Misuse of Dastaks
(i) In 1717, the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar had issued a royal farman granting BEIC many trade priviledges
including the right to issue dastak for free trade in Bengal by BEIC (without paying regular applicable duties)
except on annual payment of Rs 3,000 to Mughal Emperor + Dastak was a trade permit which exempted the
goods specified from payment of duties
(ii) To ensure movement of goods without paying regular custom duties, BEIC was also given the right to issue
dastak.
 (iii) Issue #1 + Revenue loss to Bengal & Indian Merchant’s goods became incompetitive
 Because of exemption from payment of regular duties except annual payment of Rs 3000, BEIC’s goods
had become cheaper than goods of Indian Merchants => (1) Revenue loss to Bengal as BEIC was
exempted from payment of duties in Bengal except annual payment of Rs 3000 to Mughal emperor + (2)
Indian Merchant’s goods became incompetitive with respect to BEIC’s products
(iv) Issue #2 + BEIC’s offcials also started misusing dastaks for their personal trade
Page | 24  Revenue loss to Bengal
 Indian Merchant’s goods became incompetitive with respect to BEIC offcials’s products
(v) BEIC’s officials also started selling these dastaks to Indian and Euopean Merchants for a commission
 Indian Merchant’s goods became incompetitive with respect to products of Indian and European
Merchants having dastaks
 Revenue loss to Bengal)
(5) All Nawabs of Bengal starting from Murshid Quli Khan to Siraj ud Daulah opposed misuse of Dastaks by BEIC
officials
(i) 1717 – 1727 (Murshid Quli Khan as a Subahdar of Bengal/Nawab of Bengal) + 1727 – 1739 (Shuja-ud-Din as a
Nawab of Bengal) + 1739- 40 (Sarfaraz Khan as a Nawab of Bengal) + 1740 - 1756 (Alivardi Khan as a Nawab of
Bengal) + 1756 - (Siraj-ud-Daulah सिराजउददौला as a Nawab of Bengal).
(ii)

The Siege of Fort William 1756 (The Siege of Calcutta 1756)

(1) Siraj asked FEIC and BEIC to stop fortification + FEIC stopped while BEIC didn’t
(2) 3rd June 1756:
o As a result, on 3rd June 1756, Siraj reached and destroyed the English factory at Kasimbazar and after proceeded to
Fort William (Calcutta)
(3) 20 June 1756
th

o On 15 June 1756, Siraj attacked Fort William in Calcutta with some 50,000 troops and Captured Fort William at
Calcutta on 20th June 1756
(4) Governor of Fort William fled Roger Drake ran away from the fort and rached to Fulta island. Holwell was the Fort’s
magistrate was present there.
(5) Changed name from Calcutta to Alinagar.
(6) The Nawab made Manik Chand as an incharge of Calcutta/Alinagar and returned to Murshidabad (Capital of Bengal
Nawab).
Black Hole tragedy 20th June 1756

(1) The "Black Hole of Calcutta" was a tiny prison cell in Fort William at Calcutta.
(2) According to Holwell, one of the survivors of the Black Hole and the prime author of the story, Magistrate of Fort William, on
20th June 1756, the Nawab of Bengal imprisoned 146 English (including some women and children) inside prision.
(3) When the prision was opened the next day, only 23 men (including Holwell) were alive.
(4) This story led to the characterization of the Nawab, Siraj-ud-daulah, and by extension all Indians as cruel savages among
public opinion in Great Britain.
(5) Controversy and Truths
(i) However, there is much controversy surrounding this story — though the prison was very much a real location that
was later used by British troops as a storage warehouse.
(ii) Many historians termed this tragedy to a conspiracy to defame Mughal Nawab
(iii) Some posit that given the dimensions of the room at 24 feet by 18 feet, it would not have been possible to cram
more than about 65 prisoners into the space.
(iv) Others say that if several had died, all of them inevitably would have at the same time as limited oxygen would have
killed everyone simultaneously, not depriving them individually, unless Howell and his surviving crew had strangled
the others to save air.
(v) Further, it was a subordinate officer of the Nawab who had shut up English prisoners into that prison room, for
which the Nawab himseff was no way directly responsible.
Regain of Calcutta by BEIC – 1756

(1) To regain Calcutta (Fort William), the EIC authorities at Madras, on 16 October 1756, sent troops towards Calcutta under the
leadership of Robert Clive.
(2) Troops under leadership of Robert Clive reached Calcutta on 14th December 1756.
(3) Manik Chand, the Nawab’s officer-in-charge of Calcutta, was bribed and he surrendered Calcutta to the English after
making a show of resistance.
Treaty of Alinagar (Feb 1757)

(1) In February 1757, the Nawab made peace with Robert Clive by the Treaty of Alinagar (Calcutta renamed so after Siraj-ud-
Daula captured it)
(i) Granting permission for further fortification of Fort William in Calcutta
(ii) Restoring former trade privileges to the English
(iii) Promising compensation for the losses suffered by the English.
(2) Page | 25
Why अलीनगर की संधि? + कम उम्र और कम अनभ
ु व और उसके दरबारी ही उसे धोखा दे दें गे
A conspiracy with traitors

Taking advantage of the disaffection among the Nawab’s officers, Clive arranged a conspiracy in which ………………joined
1. Mir Jafar (the Commander-in-Chief of the Nawab's army)
2. Rai Durlabh (Diwan)
3. Jagat Seth (an influential banker of Bengal)
4. Omi Chand (Bengal Merchant)
5. Manik Chand (Officer in Charge of Bengal)
It was planned to make Mir Jaffar the Nawab who in turn was to reward the services of the Company and pay compensation
for the losses suffered by them earlier.
Note- Rau: Include Black Hole Tragedy, 20th June 1756 among reasons for battle of Plassey 1757; A conspiracy with a number of
traitors.
23 June 1757 (Battle of Plassey)

1. On 23 June 1757, battle started between army of the Bengal Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula supported by FEIC, and army of BEIC
led by Robert clive.
2. Escaped Details:
o The English army consisted of 950 European infantry, 100 European artillery, 50 English sailors and 2,100 Indian
sepoys.
o The Nawab’s large army of 50,000 was commanded by the Mir Jaffar, Commander-in-Chief of the Nawab's army.
3. When the battle started on 23rd June 1757, the army units under Mir Jafar didn’t fight
o Some loyal commanders were also there – Mir Madan and Mohanlal.
4. Siraj had no information that the Mir Jafar was bought out by Robert Clive
o + [Poor intelligence of Indian ruler] One of the main reason for poor intelligence of Indian rulers was the language.
The English knew the Indian languages but the Indians didn’t understand English due to the accent
5. Hence, the battle was a “Fixed Battle” as the army units under Mir Jafar didn’t participate.
6. Mir Jaffar reached Murshidabad (Nawab Capital) on 25th June 1757 and proclaimed himself the Nawab of Bengal.
7. Siraj ud Daulah was captured and killed by Miran, the son of Mir Jafar.

Rau
 Page | 26

Governor of Fort William – actually

Results of Battle of Plassey (1757)/ Significane of Battle of Plassey/ Post Battle of Plassey (1757)

Immediate Impact
1. Mir Jafar was made the new Nawab of Bengal by the BEIC (1757 – 1760 & 1763 – 1765), which was a puppet Nawab in
hands of BEIC.
2. BEIC got (looted) huge cash from Bengal treasury
3. Mir Jaffar rewarded the services of the BEIC
a. the grant of the zamindari of 24 Parganas
b. The British got huge money from Bengal
i. BEIC got 1 cr 77 lakhs as war indemnity
ii. besides a personal present of £234,000 (=20 L) to Clive
iii. Rau: 3 cr rupees to the British.
iv. Giving 50 lakh rupees in reward to army and naval officers.
4. Free trading rights in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to BEIC and its servants (It was also understood that British merchants and
officials would no longer be asked to pay duties on their private trade).
5. All French settlements in Bengal were surrendered to the English.
Long terms Impact
1. Political Significance
a. The Battle of Plassey laid the foundation of the British Empire in India
b. It has rightly been described as the starting point of British rule in India.
c. Mir Jafar was a puppet Nawab in hands of BEIC and subsequent Nawabs of Bengal were also puppet Nawabs in
hands of BEIC and hence BEIC became de-facto ruler of Bengal
2. Since Mir Jafar as merely a puppet Nawab in hands of BEIC, BEIC looted/extracted huge money from Bengal’s treasure
which helped BEIC
(a) to establish a large British Army in India => Conquer wars in parts of India => to acquire territories
(b) (a)=> helped BEIC to maintain supremacy (military supremacy) over FEIC in Bengal and others parts of country =>
Helped BEIC to oust FEIC from colonial game in India => Helped the British (BEIC) to become tha paramount
European power in Bengal.
3. After Plassey the English Company virtually monopolised the trade and commerce of Bengal. The French never recovered
their lost position in Bengal, the Dutch made a last bid in 1759 but were humbled.
 4. From commerce the English proceeded to monopolise political power in Bengal. A great transformation came about in
the position of the English Company in Bengal. Before Plassey the English Company was just one of the European
Companies trading in Bengal and suffering various exactions at the hands of the Nawab’s officials.
5. The battle of Plassey was hardly important from the military view-point.
(1) The English army didn’t win because of military superiority in the battle.
(2) Treacherous commanders of Bengal Nawab Army were sold out to BEIC.
(3) |If27
Page Mir Jaffar and Rai Durlabh had remained faithful to Nawab then outcome of the battle would have been different. It
was treason that made Clive the victor.
(4) Perhaps it was in the game of diplomacy that Clive excelled. He played on the fears of the Jagat Seths, worked up the
ambition of Mir Jaffar and won a victory without fighting.
K.M. Pannikar believes that Plassey was a transaction in which the rich bankers of Bengal and Mir Jaffar sold out the Nawab to
the English.
Summary (Rau)
1. The British became the paramount European power in Bengal.
2. Puppet Nawabs under British Control.
3. Territorial foundation of the British Rule in India.
4. Monopoly over trade of Bengal.
5. Gains from Bengal used to defeat French in South India (3rd Carnatic War)

1760 – Clive returned England + He will come once again to India later on

Mir Qasim (son–in-law of Mir Jafar) became Nawab replacing Mir Jafar in Oct 1760

In Oct 1760, Mir Qasim became Nawab of Bengal replacing Mir Jafar. A pension of rupees 1500 was fixed for Mir Jafar.
Why?
(1) He opposed misuse of Dastaks => Mir Jafar was replaced by Mir Qasim (son–in-law of Mir Jafar) in 1760.
(2) Failing to pay outstanding dues to BEIC annoyed to BEIC.
(3) The EIC had already extracted a huge amount of money during 1757 – 60 which already resulted in the exhaustation of the
Bengal’s treasury (Further heavy demands of money by BEIC annoyed Mir Jafar i.e. opposed by Mir Jafar)
(4) Rau: Jafar instigated the Dutch to attack British resulting Battle of Bedara/Bidara/Chinsura 1759 in Dutch got defeated by the
BEIC.
a. Mir Jafar had entered into a conspiracy with the Dutch at chinsura to drive out BEIC
b. However, Dutch forces were defeated by BEIC forces at Bedara in Nov 1759 at the Battle of
Bedara/Bidara/Chinsura (1759) [The EIC had already extracted a huge money during 1757 – 60 which resulted in
the exhaustation of the Bengal’s treasury. Further heavy demands of money by BEIC annoyed Mir Jafar]
(5) Hence, Mir Jafar was removed from post of Nawab of Bengal by BEIC and Mir Qasim was made Nawab of Bengal by BEIC. A
pension of rupees 1500 was fixed for Mir Jafar.
Treaty with Mir Qasim (September 1760)
In September 1760, a treaty was signed between Mir Qasim and BEIC
1. To pay outstansing dues to BEIC and heavy demand of money by BEIC, Mir Qasim agreed to cede to the BEIC the districts of
Burdwan, Midnapore and Chittagong [BMC]
2. BEIC would get half of the share in Chunam trade of Sylhet
3. Mir Qasim promised to pay a sum of rupees 5 lakhs towards financing the BEIC’s war efforts in southern India
4. It was agreed that Mir Qasim’s enemies were the BEIC’s enemies, and his friends, the BEIC’s friends
5. The BEIC was to assist Nawab’s territory with its Army and was not to interfere in general administration of the Nawab.
In Oct 1760, Mir Qasim became Nawab of Bengal replacing Mi Jafar. A pension of rupees 1500 was fixed for Mir Jafar.
(1) In Oct 1760, Mir Qasim became (puppet) Nawab of Bengal replacing Mi Jafar. A pension of rupees 1500 was fixed for Mir
Jafar.
(2) Fulfilled provisions of treaty.
(3) He transferred his capital from Murshidabad to Munger (The Nawab wanted to be at a safe distance from Calcutta so that
he might be less under the supervision and interference of the Company)
(4) Reorganised Bureaucracy and Military (inspired from western ideas)
The Battle of Buxar (1764)

Reasons for Battle of Buxar (1764)

1. Ram Narayan, Deputy Governor of Bihar, was not responding to repeated requets by Mir Qasim to submit revenue
accounts
Page | 28 of Bihar + Ram Narayan has backing of BEIC + Mir Kasim could not tolerate open defiance of his authority.
2. 1763: Mir Kasim no longer loyal to the EIC and raised the same old issue of Dastak again + Mir Kasim asked BEIC to stop
misue of dastaks by its officials for private trade + BEIC didn’t stop misue of dastaks + Mir Kasim made abolished duties
for all merchants which made Indian Merchants’ goods on par with goods of BEIC’s goods + This abolition of payment of
duties to all merchants led to outbreak of wars/clashes between the BEIC and Mir Kasim in 1763 (July – Sept 1763)
3. Outbreak of wars between the BEIC and Mir Kasim in 1763 (July – Sept 1763) - Katwah कहवा (In बर्दवान) + Giria गिरिया +
Murshidabad मर्शि
ु दाबाद + Munger + Sooty => [Rau: Mir Qasim got defeated]
4. Mir Jafar was once again made Nawab of Bengal (1763-65)
5. Mir Qasim fled to Awadh and formed a confederacy with the Shuja ud Daulah Shuja – ud – Din (Nawab of Awadh) and
Shah Alam II (the Mughal Emperor) with a view to drive out BEIC from Bengal.
a. Shah Alam – II: worried about loss of revenues from bengal; wanted to overthrow the British
b. Shuja ud Dualha (Nawab of Awadh): Alarmed by the increasing British influence.
22nd October 1764 + The Battle of Buxar (1764)
(1) British Governor of Fort William: Vansittart; Hector Munro – Commandar-in-Chief of British Army;
(2) The combined armies of Mir Qasim, Nawab of Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daulah) and Mughal Emperor (Shah Alam II) were
defeated by the English forces under Major Hector Munro at Buxar on October 22, 1764 in closely contested battle.
(3) The combined armies of the three powers numbering between 40,000 to 60,000 met an English army of 7,072 troops
commanded by Major Munro at the battlefield of Buxar on 22 October 1764. Casualties on both sides were heavy. The
English won the day.
Aftermath of Battle of Buxar (1764)
The Treaty of Allahabad (1765)

Importance of Battle of Buxar 1764

(1) The battles of Plassey and Buxar are the two important events of Indian History. These had far reaching effects. Firstly, the
English became the virtual masters of the three provinces—Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Secondly, the fugitive Shah Alam
became a pensioner of the Company. Success in these battles made the Company dream of rounding off their conquests for
which the three provinces mentioned above served as strong bases.
(2) The battle of Buxar was a closely contested battle in which the losses of the English numbered 847 killed and wounded,
while on the side of the Indian powers more than 2,000 officers and soldiers were killed.
(3) If the victory of Plassey was the result of British conspiracy and diplomacy, the same can hardly be said of Buxar. Mir Kasim
had made adequate preparations for the conflict and the Nawab of Oudh had mustered his best soldiers in the field.
Evidently it was a victory of superior military power.
(4) Buxar confirmed the decisions of Plassey. Now English power in Northern India became unchallengeable. The new Nawab of
Bengal was their stooge, the Nawab of Oudh a grateful subordinate ally, the Emperor their pensioner. The whole territory up
to- Allahabad lay at their feet and the road to Delhi open. Never after Buxar did the Nawabs of Bengal or Oudh ever
challenge the superior position of the Company : rather the years following witnessed the tightening of English grip over
these regions.
(5) If the battle of Plassey had made the English a powerful factor in the politics of Bengal, the victory of Buxar made them a
great power of Northern India and contenders for the supremacy of the whole country.
(6) The English now faced the Afghans and the Marathas as serious rivals in the final struggle for the Empire of Hindustan.
(7) If Plassey had imposed the European yoke on Bengal, the victory of Buxar riveted the shackles of bondage.
(8) The battle of Buxar proved to be a decisive struggle with far- reaching political consequences in the destiny of India.
Dual System of Government in Bengal (1765-72)
1. Clive was sent out to India as Governor and Commander in Chief of the British possessions in India in May 1765.
2. Robert Clive concluded two treaties at Allahabad in August 1765 – one with Shuja-ud-Daulah, Nawab of Awadh and the other
with Shah Alam – II, the Mughal Emperor.
Treaty of Allahabad (16 August 1765) with Nawab of Awadh
(1) Robert Clive concluded proceeded Treaty of Allahabad (16 August 1765) with Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh at
Allahabad. By this treaty Shuja-ud-Daulah agreed
(i) that the Nawab gave/ceded Allahabad and Kora (Rau: Kara) to Emperor Shah Alam II
 (ii) that he agreed to pay Rs. 50 lakhs to the Company as war indemnity [Battle of Buxar 1765: Indian side
attacked first]
(iii) that he confirmed Balwant Singh to be given zamindari of Benaras
(2) Further, the Nawab entered into an offensive and defensive treaty with the Company binding him to render gratuitous
military help to the Company in time of need and the Company to help the Nawab with troops for the defence of his
frontier on the latter agreeing to pay the cost of its maintenance.
(3) Page
Rau: Policy
| 29 of Ring fence – Awadh, Buffer State.
Treaty of Allahabad (August 1765) with Shah Alam II
BEIC (Clive) concluded the second Treaty of Allahabad (August 1765) with Mughal Emperor Shah Alam – II.
1. The Emperor Shah Alam II was to be given Allahabad and Kora ceded by the Nawab of Awadh.
2. The Emperor Shah Alam II was to reside at Allahabad under the Company’s protection. [Virtual prisoner of BEIC/1765-72]
3. To issue a farman granting to the Company in perpetuity the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa [Rau: in lieu of an annual
payment of Rs 26 lakhs] [Rau: BECI was made Diwan of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa]
4. The Company to make an annual payment of Rs. 26 lakhs to Emperor
5. The BEIC to give Rs. 53 lakhs for the Nizamat of the said provinces [Rau: Provision of Rs 53 Lakh to BEIC in return for the
Nizamat functions- wrong in my view]
Note: As per provisions of Treaty of Allahabad (1765), the Emperor in turn issued a firman dated 12 August 1765 granting to the
Company in perpetuity the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa in return for the Company making an annual payment of Rs. 26
lakhs to him and providing for the expenses of the Nizamat of the said provinces which was fixed at Rs. 53 lakhs.
Clive’s political settlements showed considerable understanding of the realities of the situation
(1) He didn’t annex Awadh as it would have become an obligation on part of BEIC to protect an extensive land frontier open to
attacks from two strong powers of the time — the Afghans under Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas. If BEIC would
have annexed Awadh, they might have to fight with the Afghans and the Marathas which they considered a risky affairs and
for which BEIC was not ready. Awadh was a neighbouring Indian state to Bengal.
(2) The friendly treaty with Awadh made the Nawab a firm friend of the Company and created Awadh into a buffer state.
Thus, Shuja-ud- daula was turned into a grateful ally bound to the Company by ties of self-interest.
(3) Clive’s settlement with Shah Alam II also showed considerable practical wisdom.
(4) He ruled out the march to Delhi as ‘a vain and fruitless project.’ He made the Emperor a pensioner and thereby a useful
‘rubber stamp’ of the Company. The Emperor’s firman legalised the political gains of the Company in Bengal.
Dual System of Government in Bengal
(1) Clive implemented Dual System of Government {or Dyarchy/Diarchy} in Bengal - rule of two, the BEIC and the Nawab of
Bengal - in 1765 whereby the Company acquired real power without any responsibility while Nawab of Bengal was vested
with the responsibility without any practical (real) power.
(2) In the heydays of the Mughal Empire, the two principal officers of the Central government in a province {Subha} were the
Subahdar and the Diwan.
(i) The Subahdar looked after the Nizamat functions (Military defence + police + administration of criminal
justice) in a Mughal province {Bengal}. [He also used to be head of the mughal province]
(ii) The Diwan looked after the Diwani functions (revenue affairs + administration of civil justice) in a Mughal
province {Bengal}.
(iii) The two officers served as a check on each other and were directly responsible to the Central government.
(iv) After the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal central authority weakened and Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of
Bengal, exercised both the Nizamat and Diwani functions.
(3) The Treaty of Allahabad (August 1765) {The firman issued by Emperor Shah Alam II on 12 August 1765}
(i) granted the Diwani functions to the BEIC {in return for an annual payment of Rs. 26 lakhs to the Emperor and
providing for the expenses of the Nizamat (fixed at Rs. 53 lakhs)}
(4) Earlier, in February 1765, Najim ud-Daulah was allowed to succeed as Nawab of Bengal (after the death of his father Mir
Jafar) on the condition that practically surrendered the Nizamat functions [{military defence+ foreign affairs -> BEIC}
and {civil administration -> a Deputy Subahdar to be named by the BEIC and not removable without their consent}].
(5) Thus, the Company acquired the Diwani functions from the Emperor and the Nizamat functions from the Subahdar of
Bengal.
(6) At this time, the Company was neither willing nor able to undertake the direct collection of revenue. For the exercise of
Diwani functions, the Company appointed two Deputy Diwans, Mohammad Reza Khan for Bengal and Raja Shitab Roy for
Bihar. Mohammad Reza Khan also acted as Deputy Nizam. Thus the whole administration, Nizamat as well as Diwani,
was exercised through Indian agency, though the actual power rested with the Company. This system of government came
to be remembered as Dual System or Dyarchy, i.e., rule of two, the Company and the Nawab.
(7) He made a treaty with Najib-ud-dowlah in 1765 and promised to pay him a fixed amount of Rs. 53 lakhs annually for running
the administration. This arrangement enabled the company to deal with the purse without shouldering any responsibility.
(8) Clive: Battle of Arcot, Battle of Plassey, Treaty of Allahabad, Policy of ring fence, Awadh buffer state, Dual system of Govt,
Clive’s Justification of the Dual System [Why not complete authority?]
(1) Open assumption of authority would have brought the Company in its true colours and might have achieved the miracle of
uniting some Indian princes against the Company and thus embroil them in war
(2) It was very doubtful whether the French, the Dutch or the Danes would readily acknowledge the Company’s subahship and
pay into the hands of their servants the duties on trade or the quit-rents of those districts which they had long possessed by
virtue of Imperial firmans or grants from former Nawabs of Bengal ;
(3) Page
Open| assumption
30 of political power could create complications in England’s diplomatic relations with France, Holland,
Portugal or Sweden and might urge those powers to join in an anti- British front the like of which Europe saw later during
1878-80 (the American War of Independence) ;
(4) The Company did not have at its disposal trained personnel to take over and run effectively the work of administration. Clive
wrote to the Court of Directors that even “three times the present member of civil servants would be insufficient” for that
purpose. The few servants of the Company that could be available for the task of administration were ignorant of Indian
practices, languages and customs ;
(5) The Court of Directors were opposed to the acquistion of territories for that might interfere with their trade and profits. The
Directors were more interested in commerce and finance than territorial acquisitions ;
(6) Clive well understood that open assumption of political power in Bengal might move the British Parliament into interfering
with the affairs of the Company.

Evil Effects of the Dual System of Government in Bengal

(1) The dual system introduced by Lord Clive worked from 1765 to 1772. Between the departure of Lord Clive and arrival of
Warren Hastings, the reins of office were held by Verelst (1766–69) and Cartier (1769–72). Both these persons were men of
mediocre abilities.
(2) People suffered much under the weak and irresponsible rule of the Company.
(3) Commenting on the effects of British policy and methods, during the Double System of Government in Bengal, Mr. Goram D.
Sanderson writes : “British Imperialism exhibited its true colours when engaged in the collection of revenue in a conquered
district. Let us follow British imperialism to Bengal. The Province of Bengal, until the advent of the British, was undoubtedly
the richest land in the world. No famine was ever recorded by history to have entered the rich and populous area. For
millennia, Bengal has been famous for its continuous and abundant prosperity. British imperialism needed only thirteen
years to bring destruction, death and famine to the Province of Bengal.”
(4) Available records tell us while the revenue collected by the Mughal rulers never exceeded the figure of £817,533 yearly, the
English began to exact as much as £2,680,000 from the Province of Bengal.
(5) The division of authority, as envisaged by the Dual System, presented a host of difficulties for the Nawab in running the
administration. He was saddled with power without having any hold over the purse. His power was only shadowy and
nominal. The Company collected the revenue without discharging its duties towards the tax payers. The Nawab was always
in need of money to meet the expenses of the administration. Kaye rightly observes that the divorce of power from
responsibility “made confusion more confounded and corrupt more corrupt.”
(6) The abuses of private trade under the Dual system reached an unprecedented height. The Company’s servants entered into
private trade in defiance of native authority. The officers of Nawab were corrupt. The Company’s servants tried recklessly to
fill their pockets with ill-gotten wealth. The result was a confusion in which the people suffered heavily. Corrupt
administration and private trade by the Company’s servants affected the interests of the Company also. Its income from
land fell considerably. Another consequence of Company's misrule was that the native industries were completely ruined.
The silk weavers were forced to work in the Company’s factories and were prohibited from working in their own homes.
Defiance of the native laws by the employees of the Company infected the minds even of the subjects of the Nawab who
eventually lost their regard for judiciary. All these evils were remedied by the Home Government by the Regulating Act, 1773.
Administrative breakdown
The administration of law and order and justice had become very poor. On one hand, the Nawab had no power to enforce law
and provide justice while on other hand the Company denied any responsibility for administration of law and order and justice.
In the countryside, the dacoits were roaming freely.
The whole administration from top to bottom had become corrupt.
Decline of agriculture (Economic dislocation)
The land revenue collection right was annually given to the highest bidder. The tax collectors or contractors had no permanent
interest in the land and they rack rented the cultivators.
This led to exploitation of peasants. Famine of 1770, deteriorated the condition.
William Bolts, a servant of the Company, wrote that the peasants were -‘ chastised by the officers of the revenue, and not
unfrequently have by those officials been necessitated to sell their children in order to pay their rents, or otherwise obliged to
fly the country.”
Thus many cultivators ran away to jungles or joined the ranks of the robbers.
Disruption of trade and commerce
Dastaks of east India Company use illegally and the trade were dominated by Europeans, hence Indians suffered in that
point.
Moral degradation:
No incentive for good work by natives led to static condition of society and showed unmistakable signs of decay.
Page | 31
Disruption of Trade and Commerce
Agricultural depression adversely affected the trade and commerce of the country.
By the firman of 1717 issued by Emperor Farrukhuyar the Company had been granted the privileges of trading duty-free in
Bengal. This concession authorised the President of the Company at Calcutta to issue dastaks or pass chits exempting the goods
mentioned in it from duty, stoppage or even inspection. If its legitimate use worked against the interests" of the country, its
misuse ruined the country merchants and traders. The Company’s servants virtually monopolised the internal trade of Bengal
and would undersell the Indian merchants in the local markets.
Clive himseif referred to these abuses in the course of a speech in the House of Commons when he said that the Company’s
merchants traded not only as merchants but as sovereigns and had “taken the bread out of the mouths of thousands and
thousands of merchants, who used formerly to carry on the trade, and who are, now reduced to beggary.”
Ruination of Industry and Skill
The weaving and silk industry of Bengal declined.
In 1769 the Court of Directors sent orders to the Bengal authorities urging them to encourage the manufacture of raw silk and
discourage the weaving of silk fabrics. Thus, the silk-winders of Bengal were compelled to work in the Company's factories.
To save themselves from such oppression and compulsion many silk-winders of Bengal cutoff their thumbs. It was no longer
profitable for the weaver to weave much when he could not keep the gains of his labour.
William Bolts wrote about the various and innumerable methods of oppressing the poor weavers which were duly practised by
the Company’s agents or gomastahs (agents) in the country, such as by fines, imprisonments, floggings, forcing bonds from
them etc. Bolts mentions that the black gomastahs (agents) did not obtain the consent of the poor weaver, but invariably forced
him to sign the contract and receive advance money. Should the weaver refuse to accept the contract he was usually tied in his
girdles and flogged.
Further, these gomastahs registered a large number of weavers in their books and did not permit them to work for any other ;
sometimes the weavers were transferred from one merchant to another like so many slaves .
Moral Degradation
Moral degradation also set in the Bengal Society. The farmer realised that the more he laboured the more he would have to pay
to the revenue- farmers and government officials, would work no more than was absolutely necessary for the bare needs of his
family. Similarly, the weaver who could not keep all the reward of his hard work did not give his best to his work. The incentive
for work being no longer there, the society became static and showed unmistakable signs of decay.
Administrative Reforms

Civil Reforms
The transformation of the Company into a political body had called for administrative reforms. The three revolutions of Bengal
(1757, 1760 and 1764) had enriched the governors and councillors and demoralised the servants of the Company from top to
bottom.
The general desire to ‘get-rich-quick’ had vitiated the whole atmosphere.
Bribery and corruption were rampant and acceptance of presents was carried to extreme limits. The servants of the Company
indulged in private trade and misused the Company’s dastaks to seek exemption from payment of internal duties. The servants
of the Company put self-advancement above the interests of the Company.

(1) Clive compelled the servants of the Company to sign ‘covenants’ prohibiting acceptance of presents.
(2) He forbade the servants of the Company from indulging in private trade and made payment of internal duties
obligatory.
(3) To compensate the servants of the Company for their low salaries and loss of income from cessation of private trade,
Clive sought to regulate and regularise the control of internal trade.
(4) A Society of Trade was formed in August 1765 with monopoly of trade in Salt, Betelnut and Tobacco. All the production
and import of these goods into Bengal was purchased by this Society and then sold at selected centres to the retailers.
The profits from this trade were to go to the superior servants of the Company on a graduated scale, the Governor to
receive £17,500 per annum out of the profits, a Colonel in the army to get £ 7000, a Major’s share was £2000 and so on
the lower ranks to receive in a descending scale.
The evils of private trade had raised the prices of ordinary commodities of life and the people of Bengal suffered. Clive sought to
abolish plunder by the individual servants of the Company only to put the plundering activities of the Company's servants on a
collective basis. The Society of Trade made the matters worse for the people. The Court of Directors disallowed the monstrous
scheme in 1766, Clive decided to abolish the Society in January 1767 but the work of the Society was not actually wound up till
September, 1768.

Military Reforms
As early as 1763 the Court of Directors had sent orders for reduction of the double bhatta (field allowances) paid to military
officers
Pagein|Bengal.
32 Due to one or the other reason the enforcement of the order was deferred to until Clive’s arrival. The double
bhatta originally granted on active service was continued by Mir Jaffar in times of peace also. The practice had continued since
then and bhatta was considered by military officers as a part of their salary. Thus the allowance of Bengal army officers was
twice as high as of corresponding officers in the Madras army. The Directors sent orders that the bhatta be brought on par with
the bhatta of Madras army. Clive issued orders that with effect from 1 January 1766 double allowance would be paid only
to officers on service outside the frontiers of Bengal and Bihar.

The white brigades stationed at Monghyr (Munger) and Allahabad decided to organise resistance to Clive’s orders by deciding to
resign their commissions en mase. They calculated that the possible advance of the Marathas would coerce Clive. One of them
even planned the assassination of Clive. Clive was not daunted by these threats. He rose to the occasion, accepted all
resignations and ordered the arrest and trial of all ring leaders. Further, he promoted non-commissioned officers, even
mercantile agents, and called all available troops from Madras. Clive’s resolution proved effective and the White Mutiny was
quelled.

Further Reading

Estimate of Clive
Robert Clive may justly lay claim to be the true founder of British political dominion in India. He correctly read the intricacies of
the political situation of the time and struck boldly and in the right direction.
He outdid his French adversary Dupleix and achieved more permanent results. His successful conduct of the siege of Arcot
(1751) turned the scales against the French in the Carnatic. In Bengal he won the battle of Plassey (1757) against Siraj-ud-daula
and reduced the new Nawab Mir Jaffar to the position of a mere puppet of the English. With the resources of Bengal the English
conquered South India and routed their only political rival in India, the French. Above all, he transformed a mere trading body
that the East India Company was into a territorial power with the role of ‘king-maker’ in Bengal Coming back to Bengal in 1765,
Clive consolidated the gains of the Company and regulated the foreign relations onasecurebasis. Clive fully deserved the praise
of Burke that “he settled great foundations.” Clive’s weakness for money and Machiavellian methods found critics even in
England and he was charged for these in the British parliament. He exacted illegal presents and set a bad precedent for his
successors who in order to enrich themselves engineered revolutions in Bengal (1760 and 1764). Clive joined in the general
plunder of Bengal by organising the Society of Trade.
In devising the scheme of Dual Government in Bengal Clive’s paramount consideration was establishment of English power and
not welfare of the people. The whole of Bengal was reduced to the position of an estate of the East India Company. Sardar K.M.
Pannikar very aptly remarks that during 1765-1772 the Company established a ‘robber state* in Bengal and plundered and
looted Bengal indiscriminately. During this period British Imperialism showed its worst side in India and the people of Bengal
suffered greatly.
Clive failed to rise to the heights of a statesman. He proved to be a man of insight rather than foresight and his administrative
settle- ment bequeathed a crop of difficulties to his successors. If the main justification of British rule in India was, as we are
often told, the establishment of peace and order in this distracted land, then Clive can claim no share in this lofty work, for his
various expedients only added to disorders in India.

Why the english succeeded against other european powers

1. Structure and Nature of the trading company
a. EIC was a private private company. PEIC, Dutch EIC+ FEIC were largly owened and hence controlled by the
Government.
2. Naval Superiority
a. The then Royal Navy of Britain + largest navy + most advanced navy
b. One of the reasons behind that + British were able to defeat the Portuguese and the French + due to strong, and
fast movement of the naval ships.
3. Industrial Revolution
a. The Industrial revolution started in England (in the early 18 th century) earlier than other european countries +
and this helped England to maintain its hegemony.
 b. In Britain, invention of new machines like spinning Jenny, steam engine, power loom and several others. These
machines greatly improved production in the fields of textiles, metallurgy, steam and agriculutre.
4. Military Skills and Discipline
a. The British soliders were a disciplined lot and well trained and equipped with modern equipments (well paid and
regularly paid)
b. All this combined to enabled smaller size army of BEIC to defeat larger size army.
5. Lesser
Page Zeal for Religion
| 33
a. Britain was less zealous about religion and less interested in spreading christianity, as compared to Spain ,
Portugal or Dutch. Thus, its rule was far more acceptable to the subjects than that of other European/colonial
powers.
6. Modern Financial Institutions & Use of Debt market for spending on military
a. Britain used debt markets to fund its war. The world’s first central bank – the bank of England- was established to
sell Government debt/bonds in money market on the promise of a decent return on Britain’s defeating rival
countries like French and Spain. So, Britain was to spend more money on military as compared to other European
countries.
7. Stable Governments and strong Monarchs
a. Britain largely witnessed stable Governments with efficient monarchs
i. With the exception of the Glorious Revolution of 1668, Britain witnessed stable Governments with efficient
monarchs.
b. Other European nations like France witnesses violent French revolution in 1789 and afterwards the Nepolean wars.
c. The Dutch and Spain were also involved in the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648) in the 16th-17th century.
8. Victory in battle of Plassey, 1757
a. Wealth loot from Bengal helped BEIC to build stronger Army in India and fund future wars.
9. Business Acumen:

Was the British Conquest of India Accidental or Intentional?

(1)      One School of thought

1. One School of thought says that the British came to India for trading and had no desire for acquiring territories (or making
India as a colony).
2. The English were unwillingly drawn into the political turmoil created by the Indians themselves, and were almost
forced to acquire territories.
3. “Our acquisition of India was made blindly. Nothing great that has ever been done by Englishman was done so
unintentionally and so accidently, as the conquest of India” – John Seeley

(2)      Second School of thought

1. Another School of thought argues that the British came to India with clear intention of acquiring territories in India (i.e.
making India a colony). The British executed this plan bit by bit over the years.
2. They dismiss the claim that peaceful intent and politically nuetrality of BEIC in its early days .
(3)      My opinion (Third School of thought)
1. In 1750s, Industrial revolution began in England which changed economic and political system of Europe, Africa and Asia
including India.
2. BEIC came to India with initial purpose of trading in India and didn’t have any intention of ruling.
3. Industrial Revolution mainly required two things – (1) Raw materials to produce goods and (2) Big markets to sell their
Page | 34 products. For selling their finished goods and to acquire raw materials BEIC needed greater political control in
finished
India.
4. Subsequently, to enhance trade with India and benefit arising out of Industrial Revolution, BEIC started interfering in
internal political affairs and acquiring territories given weak political and military structure in India.
5. Later on, with clear instructions from British authorities, the British indirectly through BEIC and later on directly acquiring
territories to establish an empire in India (i.e. make India a colony).

When did the British Period begin in India? / When did the British Rule begin in India?

1. Some historians consider the year 1757 as beginning of British Period in India as Battle of Plassey took place in 1757 in
which BEIC defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, Mughal Nawab of Bengal [Note - Alamgir II was the Mughal Emperor during
Battle of Plassey 1757]
2. Some historians consider the year 1764 as beginning of British Period in India as Battle of Buxar took place in 1764 in
which BEIC defeated the group consisting of Mir Qasim (was Nawab of Bengal till 1763), Shuja-ud-Daula - the Nawab of
Awadh, and Shah Alam II - the Mughal Emperor
3. Note – Mir Jafar was Nawab of Bengal when Battle of Buxar took place.