Mind Map
Plassey
Buxar
Dual system
Changes: Constitutional, Revenue, Government, Civil Service, Police
General British Policy
Arrival of British
1600 Charter from Queen Elizabath as Merchant Company
1608: Captain Hawkins arrived on the Indian shores at Surat and went to the court of Jahangir to obtain some trade concessions; later on due to factionalism in mughal court these concessions were withdrawn
1615: Thomas Roe went to the court of Jahangir, and was again able to get some trade concession despite opposition from court
1639: first base estd in Madrass @ Fort St. George.
1668: factory @ bomaby
initially under the portuguese control
British helped Portuguese in the war b/w Spain and Portugal in Europe + Marital alliance -> hence Bombay Island given to British Government
EIC bought Bombay Island from british.
1688: factory @ Calcutta in Fort William (Sutinati, Govindpur and Kalikata villages)
1717: EIC got Royal Ferman from Farrukhsiar, which stated that
duty free trade for company in bengal in lieu of Rs. 3000 per annum and sum of Rs. 10000 as one time settlement
duty free trade in Hyderabad
Permission to use their own currency minted at bombay
till 1756: Murshid Khulikhan and Alivardi Khan ruled bangal
1756: Siraj Ud Daulah became Nawab
Young and inexperienced ruler
British violated Royal farman by
Nawab lead military retalliation and British retreated
Battle of Plassey 1757
After the coming to power of Siraj Ud Daulah the britishers openly challenged the rule of Nawab, which included misuse of 1717 farman by company's servents for their private trade
on being confronted, the company started levying taxes on Indian merchants as well
The scene was set for a confrontation and after initial skirmish the British were thrown out of bengal.
the britishers regrouped and planned a conspiracy by bringing commandering chief Mir Jafar and chief treasury Rai Durlabh on their side
in 1757 two sides met at plassey and without any actual fighting the Nawab was defeated and killed
due to plassey battle Britishers got control over the resource rich bengal, which help them in defeating their other european rivals like French, Dutch etc. From a commercial body it established EIC as Political power as well.
Note
No battle was actually fought, what happened was treachery and diplomacy
Carnatic War
1st and 2nd French emerged victorious, but 1757 after plassey EIC got access to enormous resources and which helped them to defeat French in Battle of Wandiwash (3rd, 1760)which made french power in India worn out.
Mir Jafar
Battle of Buxar 1764
after Mir Jafar, Mir Qasim came to power and he also experienced the suffocation under the british rule, hence went over to the Nawab of Oudh for seeking support to dislodge the Britishers
EIC was taxing even the border area of oudh
NoA felt, that once the british were dislodged, he can take over the resource rich area of Bengal.
The two sides met in 1764 in Buxar (Mir Qasim, Shuja Ud Daulah, French -> British)
it was a close fought battle, but British emerged victorious in end. (Buxar, in Bihar, Estd EIC not only as a political power but also as a major military power)
after the war EIC didn't annex Oudh
Dual system estd in 1765
Note
Mir Qasim was supported by Nawabh of Audh
because NoA felt that he might be next target of British
and if British defeated, then he can defeat Jafar also easily and occupy Bengal.
the alliance was initially supported by French also
British Emerged Victorious
Difference from Plassey Victory: this was a military victory
unless and untill you are a military power you cannot protect your territory.
if plassey won through diplomacy and treachery buxar won through military might.
Why British didn't annex Audh
if done that, British will be put in lime light and other regional powers will see them as common enemy
there was several European powers also there, hence there is chance that they also unite against britain.
since NoA was defeated and given the power back, they can rule it indirectly as well as make it buffer state to protect Bengal from further west.
Robert Clive
Hence Annexing Policy of British was done along with making buffer states.
Dual System
Why Dual System
to avoid unifaction of other princely state/ Europeans against them
Maximum Authority Minimal Responsibility => can focus mor on money/ profit more
don't have to take care of people grievances => no discontentment from people
Nawab get illusion that he is supreme
British Parliament BP approval is needed for getting administration powers. (even if granted, they soon take over functions of EIC)
this happened in 1773, when several person got jealousy against Robert Clive.
Regulating Act 1773 happened.
Effects of Dual System
Constitutional Developments
Regulating Act 1773
Governor General GG + 4 members : established in calcutta; similar GG council in Bombay and Madrass which were subordinated to Calcutta GGC.
Court of Directors CoD established in London to communicate all activities of EIC to BP
Private trade for company official prohibited
SC estd @ Calcutta in 1774
Note
Pitts India Act 1784
Charter Act of 1813
Trade monopoly is abolished except
Rs. 1 lakh for promoting education& will promote Indian literature
Christian Missionaries allowed
Charter Act of 1833
GGB become GGI (William Bentick)
complete abolition of trade monopoly
1839 Opium war with china was result of it (China was dominating in trade and british need to pay them in gold, to avoid this began to pay back in opium, Chinese ruler against and fired opium trucks and resulted in war, which lead to failure of chinese empire.=>European foot in China + Cutting of Watermelon by European => senkaku lsland disputes)
the act provided for creating a unified and codified system of law in India.
Proposed open competition system of civil service.
1853 Charter Act
differentiation b/w executive and legislative function done for the first time, where by
Recruitment to civil services through open written competition
Main Practice Question
Though Battle of plassey estd the britishers as a major political power, it was the battle of buxar which truly estd them as major military power. Explain.
Initially trading company -> trade concession from farrukshiyar
misuse of farman -> plassey war 1757
battle won through diplomacy and treachery as Mir Jafar and Rai Durlabh bribed + no major war + got resource rich bengal got => become major political power
successor to mirjafar, mir kasim went over to nawab of oudh to get help to dislodge british
NoA was also being taxed in his bordering areas by britishers also he wanted bengal himself after disloding british
Mir Qasim, Shuja ud Daulah and french in 1864 against Britih in Buxar , but British remain victorious
Buxar was a military victory compared to plassey which was a political victory. The britishers now estd as major economic and military power, vis a vis other princely state after buxar
thus though battle of plassey was important event in history but buxar holds more importance in shaping indian history.
Land Revenue System
Britishers want more revenue and constant revenue + they don't want to confiscate land as it will results in revenue loss-> if not done -> confiscated land
Warren hastings Introduced a farming system where by land was given to european cultivators under maximum bidding approach -> entry of speculators -> more confiscation -> not served British purpose
Permanent Land Revenue system 1793:
Fixed LR -> 10/11 for Govt + 1/11 for Zamindars
Zamindars are considered land owners
Ryots are cultivators only (Britishers thought extra crop will goes to ryots, which make them happy)
Britishers thought a stable income will be bear for company, burden of collection of zamindar, help in creating a loyal group for british.
No rules were placed on the zamindars, who resorted to exorbitant rents which resulted in Rack Renting. Peasants were denied of their property rights and were left at the mersy of Zamindars
Ryotwari System 1820
Southern areas
negotiate directly with ryot.
LR duration is fixed for 10 yrs; (here revenue is revised without consulting ryots)
Areas such as Coimbatore, Malabar, Madurai. Later extended to MH and Coorg.
the land revenue was fixed even at time of famine and there was no famine relief carried out by the britishers, in place of many zamindar under the PLRS, in Ryotwari, 1 big zamindar was placed in the form of Britishers
Mahalwari System 1833
in Western Areas and NWFP like Punjab and central parts of India.
Revenue settlement done by combining 4-5 villages and revenue collection was made the responsibility of village elders
Ryots are owners. + Revision of land revenue in 10 yrs
under the system LR raise to 60-70% of total produce. Through many generation, land got further divided which further reduced the productivity and increased the indebtness of the farmers
Note
Qn: Various Land Revenue system introduced by the British varied in their design but were in fact was directed towards 1 single purpose- Optimum and stable Land revenue. Analyse.
Factor
|
PLRS
|
Ryot
|
Mahalwari
|
Area
|
Zamindari jurisdiction
|
the area ryot have
|
3-4 villages together
|
Time
|
forever
|
for 10 yrs
|
for 10 yrs
|
Ownership
|
Zamindar
|
Ryot
|
Ryot
|
Collector
|
"
|
Govt appointed person
|
Village elders
|
Communication System
Why (Purely Colonial and Economical motive)
Strong gripped administration
Trade
Mobilization of Army empowerment
Source of Investment
Access to resources and labour
Newer market
Impact on Indian Population
Civil Services
in 1771, the office of district collector estd under hastings.
Cornwallis is regarded as the founder of Indian Civil services, as he laid down
but here also Indians were excluded from higher civil services as
they were believed to be incompetent, (Cornwallis of opinion that Indians are inherently corrupt)
britishers could only safeguard british interest,
and already high competition for this post among britishers
in 1800 Civil services training college estd at Fort William in Calcutta, which was later on move to London in 1806 as Hailey Bury College
Police
in 1791 Cornwallis estd a regular system of thanoes headed by Daroga (equalent to modern day SHO), an SP to head the district, thus relieving the Zamindars of their law and order duties
Bentick (1828) abolished the office of SP and police functions were placed in the hands of district magistrate, this placed a heavy burden in the office of Magistrate.
British General Policy
1608-1757: Traders
1757-1818: Policy of Alliances and Expansion (struggle with Princely state) => Subsidiary Alliance of Wellesley.
1818-1857: Domination Phase
1857-1935: Alliances
1935-1947: Tries to make local leaders to challenge the rising INC
Britishers played divide and rule on Multiple levels
Religion (Hindu, Muslim),
Language (Bengal),
Caste (communal award),
Region (Proposal of federation),
Ideology (Moderate, Extremist, Revolutionary)
Subsidiary Alliance
Nepolean has not only tried to unite Europe, he had also an eye on priced British colonies
Hence Wellesley, GGB then, adopted this to stop Nepolean from influencing them.
Basic features
British Resident (proposed as a helper in making policy decisions to surrounding king, but actually was a spy who will update things to GGB)
Standing Army (Proposed so that highly trained and obidient British army will protect the country in time of need, actually to avoid revolting against british)
Foreign Policy Making must be done only after consulting Company (=> most important feature, as it made them dependent on british while dealing with foreigners)
note: Sardar Vallabhai patel during Union creation asked state to give powers like Communication, Defence, Foreign Policy powers to Union, even though they didn't enjoyed it earlier also
Main Practice Question
After Becoming a major Political and Military Power, the Britishers Ushered in a lot of changes in Political, Administrative, and Socio-relegious spheres which had a prefound effect on the Indian Population. Comment?
The British Policy vis-a-vis Indian princely states Changed as per the changing scenario, and as per the changing British needs. Elucidate
Introduction: British needs dictated the changing policy which were directed towards establishing their rule in India and extracting the maximum possible revenue.
Heading in Boxes and explains Changing scenario, then in paragraph : needs & how it implemented
Tables can also be used.
Foreign Policy
Objectives
annex those which provide Strategic location, resources
rule indirectly, subsidiary alliance system.
Overview
Nepal
1814 british desire to establish a scientific frontier on the nothern side leads to a skirmish with Nepal, which leads to a British resident in Nepal
Nepal withdraws from sikkim
Nepal cedes district of Garhwal and Kumaon (hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie, Shimla)
Gorkhas (fierce warriors) inducted into british force
Why didn't British Annex Nepal? => same reason that it should kept as buffer.
Note
Burma
in 1824 Burmese expansion towards the west, brings them into confrontation with the british in Assam and Brahmaputra Valley
after a short battle, Burma recognises independence of Manipur and British occuppy Arakkan Coastline
1852 : British Merchants Want the timber rich area in Upper Burma, which leads to another skirmish and Victory for Britishers
1885: King Thibaw negotiates some commercial treaties with france, germany and Italy
Britishers fearing growing European pressure annex Burma in 1885
in 1935 Burma is separated from India, due to growing ties b/w Burmese and Indian nationalists
1948: independence given to Burma.
Note
Afghanistan
Growing relations b/w Afghan and Russia, alarms the britishers. in 1836 Afghan rulers Dost Muhammed ask British support to gain territories back from Maharaja Ranjit Singh, which the Britishers refuse.
1838: Tripartite Treaty signed b/w British, Sikh, Shah Shuja (Deposed ruler of Afghan by Dost) to establish Shah on Afghan throne and in return favourable policy to British.
1838: first Anglo-Afghan War takes place where by Shah Shuja is established as ruler in Kabul, but he is unacceptable to Afghan people
1842: Rebellion rises against Shah Shuja (get killed) and the British forces are thrown out of Kabul. Later on negotiation takes place and Dost Muhammed re-established as ruler and British forces are withdrawn
1876: with the coming of Lytton, there is again a need to establish a scientific frontier with afghanistan
in 1878, Sher Ali refuses British Envoy and accepted Russian Envoy in Afghan Court. Lead to the second Anglo Afghan War, where by Britishers emerge victorious and favourable alliance is established
Soon another unrest emerges in Afghanistan and Rippon abandones any forward policy and advocated Status Quo
Note
Tibet
Ruled by Buddhist Theocracy under the nominal authority of China, growing Russian influence, in 1904 an expedition lead by Military Commander Young Husband leads to British victory
75 lakh rupees as war damages, Chumbi Valley (b/w Sikkim and Bhutan) under British control
1907: Anglo Russian Convension provides for Tibetan neutrality and any negotiation with tibet to be done through china.
Note
Impacts of British Policy
