Question: How did the British overcome the Marathas and the Punjab?

(8)

Answer. The Marathas had a great deal of supremacy in the Deccan. The Marathas used to quarrel over
the post of Peshwa. Raghunath Rao assassinated Narayan Rao, as a result the Maratha sardars united
against him. Raghunath appealed to the British for help and the British army left from Bombay to Madras
to help him. British-Maratha relations worsened. Later the Anglo-Maratha relations were repaired by the
“Treaty of Salbai” (1782 AD).

The Maratha sardars continued their rivalry over the post of Peshwa. Taking opportunity Wellesley
engaged himself in the conflict with the Marathas. Peshwa Baji Rao II was compelled by Wellesley to sign
a treaty named, treaty of Bassein in 1802 AD. A British resident was appointed in the court of Peshwa.
Baj Rao II continued to rule with British support. But at various places such as Deccan the British fought
against the Marathas. Finally, Peshwa Baji Rao II fought against the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha
war (1817-1819). Marathas lost the battle. The British captured the Peshwa’s kingdom. The post of
Peshwas was abolished. The Company established their supremacy over Deccan and South India.

Punjab: In North India, Punjab faced British aggression. The English were still to undergo a trail of
strength with the Sikhs in North India. The Sikhs were having succession problems; hence business got
affected there considerably. The British gave the excuse of political unrest and started interfering in
Punjab. The Sikhs lost the First Anglo-Sikh war in 185 AD. The British forced Sikhs to sign the treaty of
Lahore (1846 AD) and gained control over the Jalandhar Doab.

Question: Write on the judiciary system introduced by the East India Company in India. (8)

Answer: In 1772, the Company started a new judicial system. A Diwani and a Faujdari courts were
established in every district. Though the Mughal influence was yet persisting, the Europeans presided
over the Diwani courts. Brahmin pundits and Muslim moulavis were engaged explaining the native laws.
A Kazi and Mufti were also appointed at the Faujdari court.

A certain fundamental changes were noticed during the tenure of Warren Hastings. Sir Elijah Impey also
contributed a lot in bringing such changes. Now Indian judicial was Europeanized. By the Regulating Act
of 1773 AD, an imperial court was formed in Calcutta. In 1801 AD and 1823 AD Supreme courts were set
up in Madras and Bombay respectively. Thus India had three Supreme Courts.

To explain traditional laws, Warren Hastings appointed eleven Hindu pundits to make a catalogue of the
laws. This catalogue was later translated into English. A similar catalogue was made of the Islamic laws.
In 1793 AD, Cornwallis compiled a code of laws. The judicial system was remodeled. One could appeal to
a higher court against the judgment given by the lower court. The chief justice in each court was
Europeans only. Cornwallis finally removed the Indians from the colonial system of judiciary.

The Indians could not properly grasp the changes from the Mughal to the British system. The
organization of the judiciary became one of the main pillars of colonial rule.