Q: How successful was Indian resistance to British attempts to take control of lands in the subcontinent

from 1750 to 1850? Explain your answer.

The Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daula had captured the trading center of E.1.C at Calcutta due to
encouragement (advise) of French. E.I.C gathered its forces from Bombay and Madras to regain the
control of Calcutta. E.I.C army under the command of Robert Clive defeated Nawab Siraj in the Battle of
Plassey due to disloyalty of his army General Mir Jafar. As a reward E.I.C made Mir Jafar the Nawab of
Bengal. Bengal was the one of the richest province of India. British forced Mir Jafar to give the E.I.C gifts
of land and money. British used the wealth of Bengal to set up a large army.

Mir Jafar's son, Mir Qasim struggled to check the growing influence (power/control) of E.I.C but it was
too late. Mir Qasim wanted to drive E.I.C out of Bengal. He joined forces with Mughal Emperor Shai.
Alam II and Nawab of Oudh. They were defeated by E.I.C army in the Battle of Buxar in 1764. E.I.C
captured Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and parts of Oudh. British control over India increased after the Battle
of Buxar.

The Ruler of Mysore Haider Ali had fought against British rule. He had defeated British many times, after
his death his son Tipu Sultan became the next ruler. He had modernized (improved) his army with the
help of French. Tipu was known as the Tiger of Mysore. He won many times against British in Second
Anglo- Mysore War. In the Third Anglo-Mysore War, Tipu lost large part of his state. In the Fourth Anglo-
Mysore War, the combine (joint) army of the British and the Nizam of Hyderabad defeated Tipu and he
was killed on 1799. Tipu Sultan was martyred (killed) due to the disloyalty to his General Mir Sadiq who
was bribed by British.

Marathas were a big hurdle in the way of British take-over of India. In the First Anglo (British)-Maratha
war, Marathas were able to defeat British at Wargao but later forced to sign treaty in 1782. Marathas
lost the second war in 1803 and British entered in Delhi, blind Mughal Emperor Shah Alam accepted rule
under British protection. Marathas also lost the third war. In 1818 British finally defeated Marathas in
fourth Maratha war, Maratha leader Peshwa accepted pension and whole Deccan came under British
control.

Titu mir was a great Bengali freedom fighter who fought against the cruelty of Hindu Zamindars (land
lords) and the rule of E.I.C. He declared himself as king and set up an army of 15,000 followers. He had
built a bamboo fort at Narkelbaria. In 1831 Titu Mir defeated British forces came to destroy it. As a
result British sent an army armed with cannons. Titu Mir along with many of his followers died after days
of

] British were afraid of Russian attack on India across Afghanistan so British wanted to setup a puppet
(dummy) ruler of Afghanistan to protect India but 4000 British soldiers were killed in Kabul in a revolt in
1841 by Afghans; British pride (respect) was in danger. Sindh was a friendly state of British but there was
risk of revolt in India so British army under command of Charles Napier captured Sindh in 1843 after two
battles to show their strength.

Punjab was a strong state under the rule of Raja Ranjit Sigh but after his death there was dispute in Sikh
chiefs over who should be next King. Sikh army attacked British but defeated. Sikhs were forced by
British to sign the Treaty of Lahore in 1846 in which heavy fine was paid by Sikhs. Kashmir was also taken
away from Sikhs. British captured Punjab in 1849 after two bloody battles.

[Comment] Indian resistance was a total failure because Indian continues to lose land to the British due
to their own disunity and clever strategy (tactic/policy) and military supremacy (power) of the British.