DELHI WORLD PUBLIC SCHOOL

CLASS - VIIITH

CHAPTER-2

FROM TRADE TO POLITICAL SUPREMACY

COLONIAL RULE IN INDIA

(I)ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN BREIF :-

1. How was the Battle of Buxar concluded?

Ans: The Battle of Buxar was concluded by granting of the Diwani Rights to the EEIC that allowed the
company officials to collect revenue from the vast province of Bengal and utilize it in purchasing cotton
and silk textile in India, maintain the company troops and building forts, factories and offices.
2. Define Mercantilism. How was it beneficial for the European trading companies?
Ans: Mercantilism, in theory and in practice meant that the prosperity of a country depended upon its
capacity to produce more than it consumed and export more than it imported in order to have a
favourable balance of trade.
3. The English East India Company and the French East India Company were always at war with
each other. Why?.
Ans: The English East India Company and the French East India Company were always at war with each
other as they both wanted mastery over India and Indian resources and this resulted in bitter rivalry
between the two , not only in India but also in Europe.
4. With what objective did Lord Dalhousie design the Doctrine of Lapse? What was the outcome of
such a policy?
Ans: Lord Dalhousie designed the policy of Doctrine of Lapse with the objective of depriving the Indian
rulers of the succession thereby making it easier for the company to annex such territories. The primary
motive was to shake the traditional rules of inheritance in India and implant company’s policies for a
smooth cessation of power.
5. Discuss the four Anglo- Maratha wars as well as their consequences in detail.

Ans: The four Anglo-Maratha wans as well as their consequences in detail are discussed below:

 First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782): The first of three Anglo-Maratha Wars, fought in India between the
Maratha Empire and the British East India Company, was the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–
1782). The Treaty of Salbai marked the end of the war, which had started with the Treaty of Surat. The British
were defeated in the war between the Surat and Pune Kingdoms, and both sides' pre-war positions were
restored.
 Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805): The second war between the Maratha Empire in India and the
British East India Company took place between 1803 and 1805. On August 8, 1803, Wellesley issued the order
 to break camp and attack the closest Maratha fort after the logistical assembly of his army (24,000 soldiers in
total) was complete.
 Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1819): The English East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India
engaged in their final and most important battle during the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1819). The
Company now controls the majority of India following the war. British East India Company troops invaded
Maratha territory to start it off, and despite being out numbered, the Maratha army was destroyed.
 Gwalior Campaign (1843): In December 1843, the British and Maratha forces engaged in combat in Gwalior,
India. The young Maharaja was overthrown by Marathas in Gwalior who saw the British invasion of
Afghanistan as a missed opportunity to reclaim their independence.

B. On the outline map of India ; Identify and locate the following:

1. Plassey 6. Sind

2. Buxar 7. Punjab

3. Mysore 8. Jhansi

4 .The Maratha Territory 9. Satara

5. Hyderabad 10. Nagpur