Anglo-Maratha War Anglo- Sikh War British Policies
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion The Rise and Fall of the Maratha Power
Modern Indian History
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Marathas q Most important challenger to the decaying Mughal power. q Number of brilliant commanders q Lacked unity q Lacked the outlook & programme which were necessary for founding a pan-India empire. q They did however succeed in waging continuous war against the Mughal Empire, till they destroyed it.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Evolution of Peshwaship q Shahuji, grandson of Chattrapati Shivaji, had been a prisoner of Aurangzeb since 1689. q Released in 1707 q Soon, a civil war broke out between Shahuji (Satara) & his aunt Tara Bai (Kolhapur), who had carried out an anti-Mughal struggle since 1700 in the name of her son Shivaji II after the death of her husband Raja Ram.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Evolution of Peshwaship Continued… q Arising out of the conflict between Shahuji & his rival, a new system of Maratha government was evolved under the leadership of Balaji Vishwanath, the Peshwa of King Shahuji. (1713) q With this change began the period of Peshwa domination in Maratha history in which the Maratha state was transformed into an empire. q He & his son Baji Rao I made the Peshwa the functional head of the Marathas.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720 C.E.) q Balaji Vishwanath, a Brahmin, started his career as a small revenue official. He played a crucial role in the victory of Sahu over Tarabai in the Battle of Khed in 1707 C.E. q After Shahuji’s (1707-48 CE) coronation as Chatrapathi at Satara, Balaji was made his Sena Karte (organizer of forces) q In 1713 C.E., he was raised to the post of Peshwa, this marked the domination of Peshwa supremacy in Maratha politics. q Office of Peshwa become hereditary. From now onward Chatrapati become just a figure-head. q He is rightly called as ‘Second founder of Maratha state’.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720 C.E.) Continued…. q He was the 1st Maratha official to reach Delhi & involve in the internal matters of the Mughal rulers. q He secured the release of Sahu’s mother. q In 1719 C.E, he got certain rights from Farruk Siyar. For instance, Shahuji was recognized as the ruler of Chattrapati Shivaji’s home dominions & allowed to collect Chauth & Sardeshmukhi from 6 provinces of Deccan. q He initiated the northward extension of Maratha kingdom, which was taken further by his son Baji Rao. q He has been credited with the ‘Mastery of Finance’.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Baji Rao I (1720-1740 C.E.) q Succeeded by his 20-year old son Baji Rao I. q The Maratha power reached its zenith under him. q Bold & brilliant commander & an ambitious & clever statesman. q Described as “the greatest exponent of guerrilla tactics after Shivaji”. q He preached the ideal of Hindu Padpad Shahi (All India Hindu Empire). Formulated a policy of Northern expansion so that, “the Maratha flag will fly from Attock to Cuttack (river Krishna)”.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Baji Rao I (1720-1740 C.E.) Continued….. q He initiated a ‘system of confederacy’ among the Maratha chiefs – under this system, each Maratha chief was assigned a territory which would be administered autonomously. q As a result, many Maratha families like Gaekwad of Baroda, the Bhonsles of Nagpur ,Holkars of Indore, Sindhias of Gwalior & the Peshwas of Poona became prominent. q He defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad in the battle of Bhopal. q He was aware of decline of Mughal power. He said “Let us strike at the trunk, of the withering tree, and the branches will fall of themselves.”
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Baji Rao I (1720-1740 C.E.) Continued…. q 1737-38 C.E: he attacked Delhi & defeated the Mughal forces. Muhammed Shah signed the ‘treaty of Sironj’, which gave Marathas complete sovereignty over the whole of Malwa & the entire territory between Narmada & Chambal. q 1739 C.E: He defeated the Portuguese & occupied the parts of Salsette & Bassein. q The marriage of Baji Rao I with Mastani a Muslim princess created lot of trouble.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761 C.E.) q His18-year old son Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) was new Peshwa. q He continued with the policy of northward expansion. q He was as able as his father though less energetic. q Shahuji died in 1749 & by his will left all management of state affairs in the Peshwa's hands. q The office of the Peshwa had already become hereditary & the Peshwa was the de facto ruler of the state.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761 C.E.) q The deed also required the Peshwas to protect the high-esteem for the descendants of Tara Bai. q Sangola agreement (1750) q Balaji Baji Rao, made Ram Raja (1749-77 C.E.) a do-nothing king after Shahuji’s death. This virtually seized the Maratha monarchy as a symbol of political authority & made Peshwas as the centre of political authority & the official head of the administration. q As a symbol of this fact, shifted the government to Poona, his headquarters.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Threat : Ahmad Shah Abdali q 1752: An agreement was made between Mughal & Marathas, that, in lieu of chauth of North-west province, Marathas will have to defend the Mughal from any threat internal or external. q Brought the Marathas in direct conflict with Abdali. q Peshwa dispatched a powerful army under the nominal command of his minor son Vishwas Rao (son of Nana Saheb), the actual command being in the hands of his cousin Sadashiv Rao Bhau (Cousin of Nana Saheb).
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Threat : Ahmad Shah Abdali Continued…. q Contingent of European style infantry & artillery commanded by Ibrahim Khan Gardi. q Balaji Baji Rao, though conquered lot of territories, lacked his father’s diplomatic skills. q He had cultivated animosity of all neighboring rulers. q Marathas under Balaji Baji Rao became everybody’s enemy & nobody’s friend. They had attacked everyone including Rajputs, Jats, Bengal & Orissa.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Threat : Ahmad Shah Abdali Continued…. q The Marathas now tried to find allies among the northern powers. q They had to fight their enemies all alone, except for the weak support of Imad-ul-Mulk. q Senior Maratha commanders constantly bickered with each other.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion 3rd Battle of Panipat (1761) q 14 January 1761 q Peshwa's son Vishwas Rao , Sadashiv Rao Bhau & numerous other Maratha commanders perished on the battle field as did nearly 28,000 soldiers. q Those who fled were pursued by the Afghan cavalry & robbed & plundered by the Jats, Ahirs, & Gujars of the Panipat region. q The Peshwa, who was marching north to render help, was stunned by the tragic news. Already seriously ill, Balaji Baji Rao end was hastened & he died in June 1761.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Significance of 3rd Battle of Panipat q Maratha lost the cream of their army and their political prestige suffered a big blow. q Afghans also did not get benefit from their victory. They could not even hold the Punjab. q In fact, the Third Battle of Panipat, ‘did not decide who was to rule India, but rather who was not’. The way was, therefore, cleared for the rise of the British power in India.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion 2014
The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion India in 1761
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Madhav Rao I (1761-72) q 1761: The 17 year old Madhav Rao became the Peshwa in after the death of his father Balaji Bajirao. q Raghunath Rao became his regent & the de facto ruler of the state. q He was a talented soldier & statesman. q Within short period of 11 years, he restored the lost fortunes of the Maratha Empire. q 1771: the Marathas brought back to Delhi Emperor Shah Alam, who now became their pensioner. q He died in 1772.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Maratha Kingdom (1772-1818) q Successors- v Narain Rao (1772-74)
v Madhav Rao (1774-95)
v Baji Rao II (1796-1818) q This period shows rapid decline of Maratha kingdom, due to internal feuds & prolonged war with the English.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Background: 1st Anglo- Maratha War
● After the death of Madhav Rao Peshwa, his brother Narayanrao became Peshwa.
● However, Raghunathrao, had his nephew assassinated in a palace conspiracy & declared him as Peshwa, although he was not the legal heir.
● Narayana Rao's widow, Gangabai, gave birth to a posthumous son, who was legal heir to the throne - ‘Sawai Madhavrao’.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion 1st Anglo- Maratha War
● 12 Maratha chiefs, led by Nana Phadnavis directed an effort to name the infant as the new Peshwa & rule under him as regents. ● Raghunathrao, unwilling to give up his position of power, sought help from the British at Bombay & signed the Treaty of Surat (1775). ● But the British Calcutta Council condemned the Treaty, sending Colonel Upton to Pune to annul it & make a new treaty with the regency. ● Treaty of Purandar (1776) annulled that treaty, Raghunathrao was pensioned & his cause abandoned, but the revenues of districts were retained by the British.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion ● Treaty of Salbai (1782): After the British defeat, Warren Hastings through Mahadji Sindhia proposed a new treaty between the Peshwa and the British that would recognize the young Madhavrao as the Peshwa & grant Raghunathrao a pension.
● It also guaranteed peace between the 2 sides for 20 years, thus ending the war.
● Moreover, the Treaty enabled the British to exert pressure on Mysore as the Marathas promised to help them in recovering their territories from Haidar Ali.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion 2nd Anglo Maratha War(1803-05) ● Sawai Madhav Rao died in 1795.
● Succeeded by the worthless Baji Rao II, son of Raghunath Rao. ● Marathas were the only major Indian power left outside the sphere of British control.
● The British had by now decided to put an end to the Maratha challenge.
● Wellesley now turned his attention towards them & began aggressive interference in their internal affairs.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion ● British divided, the warring Maratha sardars through clever diplomacy & then overpowered them in separate battles during the second Maratha War. ● October 1802: Baji Rao II & Sindhias were defeated by Yashwantrao Holkar, at the Battle of Hadapsar near Poona. ● Peshwa fled to British protection & in December concluded the Treaty of Bassein with the Company ceding territory for the maintenance of a subsidiary force & agreeing to treaty with no other power. ● This act on the part of the Peshwa, their nominal overlord, horrified & disgusted the Maratha chieftains; in particular, the Sindhias & the Bhonsles contested the agreement.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) Continued… q December 17 1803: Raghoji II Bhonsle signed the Treaty of Deogaon with the British after the Battle of Adagaon/Argaon . q 30 December 1803; Daulat Scindia signed the Treaty of Surji- Anjangaon q Wellesley turned to Holkar, but Yeshwant Rao Holkar proved more than a match for the British. q He began hostilities with the British by securing the alliance of the Raja of Bharatpur.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion ● Using traditional Maratha tactics of mobile warfare & in alliance with the Jats, he fought British armies to a standstill. ● Moreover, overcoming his age-old antagonism to the Holkar family, Sindhia began to think of joining hands with Holkar.
● On the other hand, shareholders of Company discovered that policy of expansion through war had increased debt from £ 17 million in 1797 to £ 31 million in 1806. ● Moreover, Britain's finances were getting exhausted at a time when Napoleon was once again becoming a major threat in Europe.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Outcome ● Bhonsle & Sindhia became subsidiary allies of the Company. ● Again the blind Emperor of India became a pensioner of the Company. ● The Peshwa became a disgruntled puppet in their hands. ● 1806: By the Treaty of Rajpurghat Holkar got back most of his territories. ● Directors of the Company felt that time had come to check further expansion, to put an end to ruinous expenditure. ● Wellesley was therefore recalled from India. ● Wellesley's expansionist policy had been checked near the end. ● East India Company became the paramount power in India.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818) q Last bid by Marathas to overthrow the British q The lead in organizing a united front of the Maratha chiefs was taken by the Peshwa who was smarting under the rigid control exercised by the British Resident. q However, once again the Marathas failed to evolve a concerted & well- thought out plan of action. q Peshwa attacked the British Residency at Poona in November 1817. q Appa Sahib of Nagpur attacked the Residency at Nagpur & Madhav Rao Holkar made preparations for war.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Result q Kingdom of Satara was founded & given to the descendant of Chattrapati Shivaji who ruled it, as a complete dependent of the British. q Lord Hastings compelled Sindhia to accept British suzerainty & defeated the armies of the Peshwa, Bhonsle & Holkar. q Holkar & Bhonsle accepted subsidiary forces. q Peshwa was dethroned & pensioned off at Bithur near Kanpur q Maratha confederacy dissolved & peshwaship abolished. q Maratha chiefs had to cede to the Company large tracts of territories.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Result Continued…. q The Rajputana states had been dominated for several decades by Sindhia & Holkar. v After the downfall of the Marathas, they lacked the energy to reassert their independence & readily accepted British supremacy. q By 1818, the entire Indian sub-continent except Punjab & Sindh had been brought under British control. q Part of it was ruled directly by the British & the rest by a host of Indian rulers over whom the British exercised paramount power.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Result Continued….. q These states had virtually no armed forces of their own, nor did they have any independent foreign relations. q They paid heavily for the British forces stationed in their territories to control them. q They were autonomous in their internal affairs, but even in this respect they acknowledged British authority wielded through a Resident. q They were on perpetual probation. q On the other hand, the British were now free to 'reach out to the natural frontiers of India.'
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Subsidiary Alliance
● The doctrine was introduced by
● Early in his governorship, he adopted a policy of non-intervention in the princely states, but he later adopted the policy of forming subsidiary alliances.
● This policy was to play a major role in British expansion in India.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Principles ● An Indian ruler entering into a subsidiary alliance with the British had to accept British forces within his territory & also agree to pay for their maintenance.
● The ruler would accept a British Resident in his state. ● The Indian ruler would not enter into any further alliance with any other power, nor would he declare war against any power without the permission of the British.
● The ruler would not employ any Europeans other than the British, & if he were already doing so, he would dismiss them.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion ● In case of conflict with other state, he would agree to resolution decided upon by the British.
● The ruler would acknowledge the East India Company as the paramount power in India. ● In return for the ruler accepting its conditions, the Company undertook to protect the state from external dangers & internal disorders.
● If the Indian rulers failed to make the payments required by the alliance, then part of their territory was to be taken away as a penalty.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Subsidiary Alliances with states ● Hyderabad (1798)
● Mysore (1799) ● Tanjore (1799) ● Awadh (1801) ● Peshwa (1801)
● Bhonsle of Berar (1803) ● Sindhia (1804) ● Jodhpur (1818) ● Jaipur (1818) ● Bharatpur (1818)
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion 2018
Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?
(a)To maintain a large standing army at other’s expense
(b)To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger
(c)To secure a fixed income for the Company
(d)To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Anglo-Sikh War
Modern Indian History
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion The Sikhs q Founded at the end of the 15th century by Guru Nanak, the religion spread among the Jat peasantry & other lower castes of the Punjab. q The transformation of the Sikhs into a militant, fighting community was begun by 6th Sikh Guru- Guru Hargobind (1606-1645). q It was, however, under the leadership of 10th Guru- Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) that they became a political & military force. q 1699 onwards: Guru waged constant war against Aurangzeb.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion The Sikhs q After Aurangzeb's death, Guru Gobind Singh joined Bahadur Shah's camp as a noble of the rank of 5000 zat & 5000 sawar. q Accompanied him to the Deccan where he was treacherously murdered by one of his Pathan employees.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Banda Bahadur q Rallied the Sikh peasants of the Punjab & carried on a vigorous though unequal struggle against the Mughal army. q Was captured in 1715 & put to death. q The invasions of Nadir Shah & Ahmad Shah Abdali. q With the withdrawal of Abdali from Punjab, they began to fill the political vacuum. q Between 1765 & 1800 they brought the Punjab & Jammu under their control. q 12 misls or confederacies which operated in different parts of the province.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Ranjit Singh ● Sukerchakia Mis l.
● A strong and courageous soldier, an efficient administrator, & a skillful diplomat. ● He soon brought all Sikh chiefs west of the Sutlej under his control & established his own kingdom in the Punjab. ● He captured Lahore in 1799 & Amritsar in 1802. Later, he conquered Kashmir, Peshawar & Multan.
● Treaty of perpetual friendship with English in 1809.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion ● Built up an army along European line with the help of European instructors.
● It is said that he possessed the second best army in Asia.
● He set up modern foundries to manufacture cannon at Lahore & employed Muslim gunners to man them.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Conquest of Punjab
● Ranjit Singh died in June 1839.
● Followed by political instability & rapid changes of government. ● Kingdom saw beginning of process of disintegration when Kharak Singh, his eldest son & his only son Naunihal Singh (grandson of Ranjit Singh) were killed in 1840. ● Then, Sher Singh, another son of Ranjit Singh was successful with help of the Sikh army in proclaiming himself Maharaja in 1841 but he too was assassinated in 1843.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion ● September 1843: Duleep Singh, youngest son of Maharaja was proclaimed the king with Rani Jindan as regent & Hira Singh as Wazir (who was murdered later).
● Selfish & corrupt leaders came to the front.
● Ultimately, power fell into the hands of the brave & patriotic but utterly indiscipline army.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846) q The corrupt chiefs & officials found that the army would sooner or later deprive them of their power, position & possessions. They conceived the idea of saving themselves by embroiling army in a war with the British. q The PM Raja Lal Singh & the Commander-in-Chief Tej Singh, were secretly corresponding with the enemy. q The danger from the foreigner united the Hindus, the Muslims & the Sikhs. q War between the two was thus declared on 13 December 1845. q Punjab Army was forced to concede defeat & sign a humiliating treaty.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Treaty of Lahore ● Sir Henry Lawrence was appointed at the Lahore Darbar to control the policies. ● Dalip Singh, was recognized as Raja & Jullundur Doab was added to the British territory. ● Limited the Sikh army to a specified number. ● 16 December 1846: Another treaty was signed giving the British Resident at Lahore full authority over all matters in every department of the state. ● Moreover, the British were permitted to station their troops in any part of the state. From now on the British Resident became the real ruler of the Punjab. ● The British imposed a heavy war indemnity.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Second Anglo Sikh war (1848-49) q First major conflict during the period of Lord Dalhousie. q After the treaty of Lahore, Rani Jindan realized the true intentions of the English. Major Causes:
v The Sikh Sardars were discontent with the British control over Punjab, v The Sikh army wanted to avenge their humiliation in the first war. v The treatment to Rani Jindan when she was removed from Lahore to Shekhupura on charges of conspiracy against the British Resident. v The immediate cause for the English Company’s invasion was the revolt of Mulraj, the Governor of Multan.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Outcome ● In March 1849, Dalhousie annexed Punjab under the Treaty of Lahore & pensioned off Dalip Singh to England along with his mother Rani Jindan.
● Therefore, Punjab became a British province.
● Although Patiala & some other small states retained their rulers after recognizing sovereignty of the British.
● The Kohinoor diamond was also taken from him.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion Conquest of Sindh q Growing Anglo Russian rivalry in Europe & Asia. v British feared Russia might attack India through Afghanistan or Persia. v To counter it British decided to increase its influence in Afghanistan & Persia. v It felt this policy could be successfully pursued only if Sindh was brought under British control. q The commercial possibilities of the river Sindh were an additional attraction.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion ● 1832: The roads & rivers of Sindh were opened to British trade by a treaty. ● The chiefs of Sind, known as Amirs, were made to sign a Subsidiary Treaty in 1839. ● In spite of previous assurances that its territorial integrity would be respected, Sindh was annexed in 1843 after a brief campaign by Sir Charles Napier. As he wrote in his Diary- “We have no right to seize Sind , yet we shall do so, & a very advantageous, useful humane piece of rascality it will be”.
Modern History: Module IV - British Expansion