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British Colonialism in Greater India
British Colonialism in Greater India
India
British Imperialism
• The British empire comprised of the colonies
and territories all over the world that was ruled
or administered by the UK.
• At its height, British empire was the largest
empire in the world both in terms of land
territory, wealth and power.
• By 1913, the British Empire held sway over 412
million people, 23% of the world population at
the time, and by 1920, it covered 35,500,000
sq. km, 24% of the Earth's total land area.
British Empire
• The empire was so vast, it was known as “the
empire on which the sun never set”.
Q)How did British Empire come to be in India?
i) Military Conquest
ii) Diplomacy
iii) Trade
Origin of the British Trade in India
• During the 15th and 16th century (Age of discovery), Spain and
Portugal pioneered European exploration of the globe and in the
process established large overseas empire.
• English trades frequently fought with the Dutch and French traders. In 1612, the
company achieved a major victory over the Portuguese in the Battle of Swally in
1612 fought in Surat (city of Gujrat).
• This impressed the Mughal Empreror Jahangir. Seeing the opportunity, The company,
upon instruction from King james, approved Emperor jahangir with a proposal.
• They asked for exclusive commercial rights to set up factories and trade routes in the
region and in return offered to provide valuable goods and rarities from the
European market to the emperor. The emperor agreed.
• The company started off by building a factory in Surat (1612), Madras (1639),
Bombay (1690).
Foothold in India- Expansion
• The company, benefitting from the imperial patronage and support of mughal Emperor,
expanded its operations in India.
• It soon eclipsed portugese traders and Portugal finally ceded three of its major bases in Goa,
Chittagong and Bombay to England as part of a dowry for the royal marriage between
Portugese princess Caterine of Braganza with English King Charles II.
• The Mughal emperor extended his hospitality allowed the company to trade in Bengal in
1634 and in 1717 completely waived customs duties for their trade. However, relationship
between Mughals and the company soured for a while in between this time.
• EIC set up factories all over India in Calcutta, Madras, Bombay etc. It also fought four wars
with the Dutch (Anglo-Dutch) war and severely weakened dutch operations.
• Historians have differing viewpoints with regards to this question. Some claim
that England did not have any initial ambitions to rule India and did so only when
they saw that such an opportunity occurred when the mughal power was
waning. Another group of historians argue that the british always had ulterior
motives and this was apparent from the location of their trade posts and the
level of fortifications they did to their trade posts (Bombay Castle).
Momentary conflict between Mughal
Emperor and EIC
• In 1689, Mughal fleet led by Sidi Yaqub attacked the Bombay Castle held by the British due to
dispute in Bengal (attempt by EIC to takeover Chittagong port by force). EIC surrendred to Yaqub,
pleaded allegiance to Mughal Emperor, paid reparations. Aurangazeb allowed them to continue
operations.
• In 1695, An English Pirate- Captain Henry Every teamed up with other pirates to attack a Mughal
convoy returning from annual pilgrimage of Mecca.
• The mughal convoy included many riches and wealth and all of this was stolen by the pirates.
Other atrocious crimes were also committed on board the mughal fleets by the pirates.
• Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb became furious after hearing this news and ordered Sidi Yaqub and
Nawab Daud Khan to attach British Factories in India, arrest all British officers and shut down.
• Once Again, EIC agreed to pay all reparations to the Mughal Emperor and declared the world’s first
manhunt for the pirate through a bounty of 500 pounds. However, deep down the
company realized that it needed to strengthen its private army.
• When did EIC proactively started pursuing
their imperial/political ambitions?
• Seeing the lessening power of Mughal Empire, the persian ruler Nadir Shah
attacked India in 1739. He easily defeated Mohammad Shah who
surrendered.
• However, a riot (based on assassination rumor) broke out resulting the death
of 3000 soldiers of Nadir Shah. Infuriated, Nadir Shah ordered the “Qatl-e-
aam” which resulted in the killing of 20000-30000 unarmed Mughal civilians
in a few hours. Nadir Shah plundered Delhi riches and took the “peacock
throne” and Kohinoor diamonds.
Weakening of Mughal Empire- Political
opportunity for EIC
• Ultimately, Nadir shah had to focus elsewhere as he was also battling the
Ottomans in another frontier as well as trying to occupy Central Asia.
• Thus, Nader Shah didn’t want to establish political domain in India and made
Mohammad Shah the emperor again but only after
– conquering some territory,
– taking Mohammad Shah’s daughter as the bride for Nader shah’s youngest son
– Establishing Qamaruddin Khan as the Vizier of Mohammad Shah
• The invasion of Nader Shah left the Mughal empire in disarray. The treasury
was almost zero, the nobles were corrupt, the various states started to act
autonomously and Hindu states like rajputs, Marathis became powerful.
Mohammad Shah died in 1748 after falling sick in grief from the death of
Qamaruddin Khan in the battle of mounpur. Successor of mohammad Shah
were also weak.
Weakening of Mughal Empire- Political
opportunity for EIC
• All this political chaos, disintegration provided a great
opportunity to EIC.
• EIC started playing the “divide and conquer” game by
supporting the different small, newly autonomous states and
pitting these states against each other.
• The entry of French forces in this region also exacerbated the
situation. For example, France supported Tipu Sultan of
Mysore whereas EIC (british) were against him.
• As conflict between these states were growing, the political
power of EIC also grew. Even more so, because the Mughal
Empire was not able to focus on this threat.
Weakening of Mughal Empire- Political
opportunity for EIC
• EIC started providing funding, military technology to the small
states to aggravate the condition.
• They also started hiring “Sepoys” from the state to build their
private army. This “sepoys” were indian men who were
trained with European military tactics and were given
European weapons.
• By the help of Mir Zafar, EIC defeated Siraj-ud-Doula in 1757 and reinstated Mir
jafar as a puppet nawab. Mir Jafar later became fed up with EIC’s excessive
demands and tried to create a pact with the Dutch. Hearing this, EIC defeated
the Dutch at Chinsura and replaced Mir-jafar with his son-in-law Mir Qasim.
• However, Mir Qasim too started to become frustrated with the British and
developed his own army. Finally, in 1764 Mir Qasim of Bengal, the nawab of
Awadh and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II joined forces and fought against EIC in
the battle of Bauxor. EIC won despite being putnumber by 4:1 mainly due to the
lack of coordination between the three allies.
Weakening of Mughal Empire- Political
opportunity for EIC
• As an aftermath of the Battle of Baxur, the Treaty of Allahabad was
signed in 1765 between Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Robert Clive
of EIC.
• The treaty granted EIC the Diwani of Bengal. In other words, EIC was
granted the legal right to collect taxes and on behalf of the mughal
emperor in Bengal. A portion of these taxes was given to the Emperor
as tribute the rest was kept by EIC.
• Thus, EIC got the legitimate political influence in India for the first time
through this treaty and virtue of control in bengal. This, power
increased over time and ultimately EIC started ruling the majority of
the India especially after Mughal empire completely ended.
Consequences of Treaty of Allahabad – Dual
government in Bengal
• The “treaty of Allahabad” basically resulted in Robert Clive of EIC
instituting a “dual government” system in Bengal.
• In reality, EIC had all the power as the Nawab had to rely on EIC
for its treasury funding. EIC paid only 50 lack rupees annually to
the Nawab for this purpose which was inadequate. Moreover, EIC
intruded in the “Nizamat” as well by holding the right to appoint
the “deputy subahdar”.
Consequences of Treaty of Allahabad – Dual
government in Bengal
• The dual government system had massive adverse implications for Bengal.
• The Nawab became powerless and his ability to rule became limited. The
crime rate in Bengal increased rapidly and the nobles became oppressive.
Moreover, the EIC greatly enhanced the tax rate on trade and agriculture in
Bengal. Agricultural land was converted for Opium cultivation. These,
along with a drought, culminated in the great famine of 1770 which
resulted in almost 1/3rd of the population losing their lives. Nobel Laureate
Amartya sen dubs this famine as a “man made” one and argues that EIC is
partially responsible for it.
• His superior officer, Lt. Henry Baugh came to investigate and mangal pandey shot
him. At this point of time, General John Hearsey ordered the indian commander of
the quarter guard – Jamedar Prashad, to arrest Mangal Pandey and use force if
necessary. Prashad and all other indian soldiers refused to do so with the exception
of one soldier – Shaikh Paltu. Shaikh Paltu restrained Mangal Pandey and Pandey
attempted to commit suicide after failing to incite his fellow sipahis into active
rebellion.
• Mangal Pandey got arrested and was hanged for treason. Jemedar Prashad was also
court martialled and sentenced to death. The entire regiment was disbanded and
stripped of uniforms and arms. Only, Shaikh Paltu was promoted to the rank of
Havildar but was murdered shortly thereafter.
Sepoy Mutiny – spreading out
• The news of BNI regiment in Calcutta soon spread and unrest started to occur in
other cities. Sepoys in Agra, Allahabad and Ambala also refused to use the
cartridge and their superior officers allowed them to rip it using the fingers instead
of the teeth.
• At Meerut, 90 sepoys of the 3rd bengal light cavalry were ordered to parade. 85 of
them refused to do so. All of them were court martialled and sentenced to 10
years of prison with hard labor. As they were publicly stripped of their military
uniforms, they berated their fellow comrades for not joining them.
• The next day, plan was being taken to free the imprisoned soldiers by force. Some
indian sepoys warned the british Commanding officers but they didn’t pay heed.
Soon after, the mutiny and revolution started to happen. Many british officers were
killed along with their families. The indian citizens also joined the revolution.
Sepoy Mutiny – spreading out
• Soon, northern Indian sepoys
• Violence of rebellion
rose up against British ferocious
• Rebelling sepoys from meerut • Both sides committed
reached delhi and the sepoys of atrocities
Delhi Soon joined.
• Sepoys killed British
• Eventually gained control of Delhi
• Other cities like Agra, Oudh, Jhansi,
officers, as well as wives,
bengal etc. also fell in control of the children
rebels • Captured mutineers
• Bahadur Shah Zafar, Mughal strapped to cannons and
Emperor and son of Akbar II was shot; villages burned
proclaimed the emperor of India by
the rebels.
• Fighting continued two
years
Sepoy Mutiny – End
• The British used their full force. They diverted
forces from China, Crimea, Persia etc. to india
to fight the rebels.
• Many Indian princes did not take • Sikhs (Indian religious group)
part in the rebellion (made remained loyal to the British
alliances with
British)
Effects/Results Sepoy Mutiny
• Sepoy rebelled against East India Company rule
• British government became embarrassed and took direct
control to protect their valuable trading empire and ruled
from 1858 to 1947
• Thus, the rule of EIC ended in India and came the official
British Rule.
• The Indians could not unite against the British due to weak
leadership and serious splits between Hindus and Muslims.
• The mutiny increased distrust between the British and the
Indians.
Raj
• India was divided into 11 Provinces and 250 districts
sometimes a handful of
officials would be the only
Indians in a district
• Almost 1500 people died in the incident. Though, British sources claim that
approximately 200 people died.
• Dyer was removed from the British Army but he was considered widely as a hero by
the British back home.
5. Satyagraha Movement
• The Satyagraha movement was the “non-violent resistance
movement” initiated by Mahatma Gandhi. It occurred
multiple times in 1920-1922, 1930’s etc.
• In June, 1947 representatives from INC, Muslim League, Sikhs etc. and British Raj
agreed to a partition of the country along religious lines in stark opposition to
Gandhi’s views.
• The predominantly Hindu and Sikh areas were assigned to Union of India to be led
by Jawahrlal Nehru and the predominantly Muslim areas were assigned to the
Dominion of Pakistan to be led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
• The transfer of people according to the new border demarcation resulted in further
riots, bloodshed. However, ultimately on August 14th, 1947 Pakistan was born and
on August 15th, 1947 independent India was born. The British Rule came to an
official end.