Topic 2: BRITISH ARRIVAL & EAST INDIA COMPANY

Q. What was EIC? [4]

EIC was a private British trading company which was formed in 1600 AD with the
permission from Queen Elizabeth. In the beginning the company carried out
honest trade with India but later got indulged in the private affairs as in the
politics of India so later its power was restricted.

Q. Why was EIC interested in India?

Firstly, the EIC was interested in India because India was rich in resources. India in
those days was known as "The Golden Sparrow". It was called for its wealth and
riches i.e. Spices, Gold, Silver, Cotton, and Silk, etc. These resources attracted
British towards India.

Secondly, the merchants were given permission by the Queen to go east of Africa
i.e. to the spice island but when they reached there, the Dutch had already
occupied the island and wouldn’t let any European to enter so the traders turned
their attention towards India.

Industrial Revolution had started in Europe and a number of industries had

sprung up. These industries needed raw material and India was well suited for it.
Besides, India also had a market for foreign products.
From the DesK of
 Sir Shaheryar Azam

Moreover, the location of India was near to the main trade markets so EIC could
trade more and learn more. In addition, India had the warm sea (Arabian Sea)
which meant that if EIC took over India EIC could trade with the world via Sea all
year round.

Past Paper references:

Q1. How successful was Indian resistance to British attempts to take control of
lands in the sub-continent? Explain your answer?[14]
June 2002 Q1(c)

Q2. Indian assistance to British attempts to take control of lands in sub-

continent in the hundred years before 1850 was totally unsuccessful? Do you
agree? Give reasons for your answer? [14]
June 2008 Q2(c)

Q3. How successful were British attempts to take control of lands in the sub-
continent between 1750 and 1850?[14]
Nov2010 Q1(c)

Since the British arrived in India it continuously made attempts to take control of
India. In, 1756 the French encouraged the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daula to
attack the EIC base at Calcutta though he captured the city but could not keep
control. In 1757 Clive arrived with EIC forces and defeated Siraj-ul-Daula Troops in
the Battle of Plassey. Clive's Victory was made by the treachery of Siraj-ul-
Daulah's General Mir Jafar, this showed how British influence was dominant in
India.

Secondly in 1764 Mir Jafar son Mir Qasim joined forces with the Nawab of Oudh
and Shah Alam Il to drive the TIC out of Bengal but their attempts failed and they
were defeated by the British in the Battle of Buxar. After this British influence
actually increased, they took control over the revenue system of Bengal Bihar
Orissa and extended their control towards Oudh.

Thirdly in 1979 the British defeated the Nawabs of Oudh and took Oudh under
their control in the same year they defeated the Sultan of Mysore killed him too
and Mysore also came under their control. In 1803 British took over Delhi and in
1818 broke the treaty with Marathas and time defeated them in Battle.

Fourthly the British also made some shameful acts by annexing Sindh and Punjab.
In 1843 British defeated the Amir's of Sindh which started due to a conflict
between them. This was an annexation of Sindh and it was followed by
Annexation of Punjab. In 1849 the rival chiefs of Punjab attacked the British and
provoked them to capture Punjab. In the same year with the help of a Hindu chief
the British captured Punjab and N.W.F.P and made part of their Empire.
Lastly, in 1852 the Governor General of Dalhousie issued a law of Doctrine of
Lapse that if a ruler died without a natural heir his land will fall under British
Control. It was Unpopular and it created much resentment especially when it was
used as an excuse to capture a land.
Keeping in mind the attempts of British I agree that British were very successful in
gaining control of the lands of the sub-continent during 1750-1856.
Q. Why did the British Government take control of the affairs of EIC in the early
nineteenth century? (7 Marks)
British government took control of the affairs of EIC in the early nineteenth
century, due to certain reasons,

Firstly, the group of merchant introduced an expansionist policy that was Doctrine
of Lapse and it was that if any ruler died without a natural heir British would
annex their lands. Moreover, in 1756 EIC Base at Calcutta was attacked by Siraj-
ud-Daula and he captured the city but in 1757 Clive arrived with the EIC soldiers
and defeated Siraj-ud-Daula in the Battle of Plassey. This victory had been made
easy by the treachery of Siraj-ud-Daula's general Mir Jafar, he was rewarded. In
1764 Mir Jafar's son, Mir Qasim joined with Nawab of Oudh and Mughal Empire.
They intended to move EIC out but were defeated in Defeated in Battle of Buxar.
This showed British EIC had become very powerful and now it's time to take
control.

Secondly, as EIC began trading it was profitable for both locals and merchants but
gradually the local suffered as farmers were heavily taxed. EIC was making lot of
money and at that them Famine that Bengal which was such a scene of anarchy
confusion and corruption. A British member of parliament was angered claiming
that EIC is a very greedy government. Moreover, India was market for British
finish goods and British were also provided with cheap materials.

Thirdly, The British government also feared Russian expansion. They believed that
if anything such happen EIC will not be able to control because of all this they
took control of the affairs.

Q. Describe the Battle of Plassey? [4]

In 1756, the French encouraged the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ul-Daula to attach the
EIC base at Calcutta. He captured the city but was unable to keep control of of.
Thus in 1757 Clive arrived with a force of EIC soldiers and defeated Siraj-ul-
Daulah's troops in the Battle of Plassey. The Nawab's body was found in a River
after the battle. The victory was made easy by treachery of Mir Jafar. This Battle
showed how the British control was growing. Thus one of Indians richest
provinces fell under British control.

Q. Describe Battle of Buxar? (4 Marks)

In 1764, Mir Jafar's son, Mir Qasim joined forces with the Nawab of Oudh and the
Mughal Emperor Shah Alamll to drive the EIC out of Bengal. They were
unsuccessful and after their defeat in the Battle of Buxar in 1764 British Influence
actually increased. The EIC now took control of the revenue collection in Bengal,
Bihar, and Orissa and also extended its influence into Oudh.

Q. What was Jizya Tax?

Jizya Tax was introduced in 1679 by Aurangzeb. He imposed tax on the Non-
Muslims in order to protect their temples and worship places. It was not
approved by the Non-Muslims and created resentment among them.

Q. Describe Succession Dispute?

It was one of the reason why the Mughal Empire declined. There rulers were
fighters among the Nobel family for the throne which eventually turned into
costly wars. These wars emptied the state treasury.
 From the DesK of
Sir Shaheryar Azam
Q. What was Koh-i-noor?
Koh-i-noor was a diamond stolen among the treasure from Delhi by the Persian. It
is a 1056 carat diamond from Golconda diamond mines. Shahjahan named it as it
meant "Mountain of light. In the present day it is kept for Public Display at
London tower.

Q. Who were the Marathas?

Marathas lived in the Deccan. It was a group of people who were very strong and
wealthy. They were a constant threat at Aurangzeb's time. They were known for
their skills and devotion to Hinduism. They were finally defeated by Ahmed Shah
Abdali.

Q. What was the PITT's Act of 1784?

The PIT's Act of 1784 is also known as the Indian Act under this the Governor
General of India was made a royal appointment. It replaced the EIC's board of
Directors by a board of control comprising of six men including the secretary of
state and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Q. What was the regulating act of 1773?

Regulating Act came in 1773 under this act the EIC was made accountable to the
Parliament. A Governor-General was appointed in Bengal and the company had to
give a report of their activities to the parliament after every six months.

From the DesK of

Sir Shaheryar Azam

From the DesK of Sir Shaheryar Azam