CLASS- 8
SUBJECT – HISTORY & CIVICS
CHAPTER – 4. TRADERS TO RULERS
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Coming of the Europeans
2. The British East India company
3. Anglo French Rivalry and Carnatic Wars
4. Rise of the British power in Bengal
5. Conflict with the Nawab of Bengal
7. Importance of the Battle of Plassey
8. Battle of Buxar
9. Dual System of Governance in Bengal
10. Expansion of the British Rule
Coming of the Europeans:-
The Era of geographical discoveries was started by Spain and Portugal. The all new sea- route from Europe to India via the Cape of Good Hope by Vasco da Gama in 1498 was one of the main Achievements. It was an Independent route and free from Turkish influence. The Portuguese were the first to establish their trading centers in India and control in East nearly for a century. The Dutch merchants were also interested in trading with the Eastern Countries. The British Eliminated the Dutch and the Portuguese but they had a tough time defeating the French.
The British East India Company:-
By a Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth 1st of Britain on 31st December 1600, the British East India Company was established. This granted the company the sole right to trade with the east. With this charter, the company could look for new lands from where it could buy goods at cheap rates and carry them back to Europe to sell at higher Prices. The British factories were set up on the east and west coasts. The first British factory was set up on the Banks of River Hugli in 1651. The Britishers expanded their trade by setting up a number of Factories.
Anglo French Rivalry and Carnatic Wars:
The French posed a serious threat to the British as both of them had trade interests. Three Wars took place between the two which are known as carnatic wars. The tactics of Robert Clive ensured success for the British. The defeat of the French in the Battle of Wandiwash finally sealed their fate. Thus the French were eliminated from political scene of India.
Rise of the British Power In Bengal:
The British and the French both were keen on increasing their trade in Bengal. The early Nawab’s of Bengal namely Murshid Quli Khan and Alivardi Khan exercised strict control and prevented the misuse of trade privileges granted to the British. They also suppressed their Political ambitions. Conflict with the Nawab of Bengal:
Alivardi Khan was succeeded by Siraj –Ud- Daulah in 1756. He was determined to keep the British ambition in check. Since both the English and French were trying to secure their settlements in Bengal, they began misusing the trade privileges. When Siraj – Ud-Daulah asked them to pull down the illegal fortifications at fort William, the English refused. This led to the Capture of Calcutta by the forces of the Nawab.
Battle of Plassey:
Robert Clive conspired with some leading men of the Nawab’s Court in order to eliminate Siraj –Ud- Daulah from the political scene and place one of Nawab’s general Mir Jafar on the throne of Bengal. Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh, Manik Chand and Ami chand were a Part of this Conspiracy. The English forces met those of the Nawab at Plassey on 23rd June, 1757. Due to the Treachery of Mir Jafar and Rai Durlabh the Nawab lost the Battle. Siraj- ud- Daulah fled but was captured and Killed.
Importance of the Battle of Plassey:
1. It is one of the most important Battles of Indian History.
2. It paved the way for the British Conquest over the whole of India for the next one hundred years.
Results:
1. Mir Jafar was proclaimed as the Nawab of Bengal. He granted the company undisputed right to free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
2. The company received the Zamindari of the 24 Parganas near Calcutta. 3. They also received large sums as gifts.
Battle of Buxar:
The Abolition of Internal duties by Mir Qasim was considered by the British to be a Violation of their rights and privileges. Thus after series of Battles and successive defeat at the hands of the British, Mir Qasim fled to awadh and formed combined forces with Mughal Emperor Shah Alam 2nd , Shuja- Ud- Daulah and the Nawab of Awadh. But their combined forces were defeated in the Battle of Buxar on 22nd October, 1764.
Results of the Battle of Buxar:
1. Clive became the Governor of Bengal for second time in 1765. He concluded treaty of Allahabad, by which Awadh was restored to Nawab Shuja –Ud- Daulah except Kara and Allahabad.
2. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam got Kara and Allahabad. In return of the concessions, he formally granted to the company the diwani or the right to collect the revenue of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
3. In a defensive alliance with the Nawab of Awadh, the company undertook to provide him with troops in case of need, provided he paid for their maintenance. The arrangements made by the Treaty of Allahabad meant actual transfer of the administration of Bengal to the company. The revenues of Prosperons Indian Provinces were placed at Company’s command. Dual System of Governance in Bengal: Clive established ‘Dual System of Governance’. The deputy diwans appointed by the company collected Revenue on behalf of the company and looked after the administration (Nizamat) on behalf of the Nawab. Under this system, power was divorced from responsibility. The responsibility to look after the state lay with the Nawab,the actual power lay with the English.The company used only a part of Revenues to meet administrative costs, and the rest was sent to England. Thus Bengal was steadily drained off its wealth.
Expansion of the British Rate:
A. Wars:
1. The Mysore Wars: Four wars took place between Mysore and the British. After the Death of Haider Ali his son Tipu Sultan continued the struggle against the British. In the Fourth war (1799) the British captured Tipu’s capital Seringapatnam. Tipu died and British took control of a large part of Mysore.
2. The Maratha War: As a result of constant conflicts between the Maratha Chiefs, the peshwa sought the protection of the British and accepted Wellesley’s subsidiary Alliance. After the defeat in the third war(1818), Peshwaship was abolished and Maratha dream of controlling the Mughal Empire and establishing their own Empire could not be realised.
3. The Sikh Wars: Ranjit Singh emerged out to be the most powerful Ruler of Punjab but after his death there was unrest in Punjab which provided the British an opportunity. After the defeat of the Sikhs in the second battle, Governor General Lord Dalhousie made a proclamation (1849) for the annexation of the whole of Punjab. B. Annexations:
a. Taking advantage of the war of succession: Bharatpur was annexed in 1826 after a war of succession broke out between the minor son of the Jat ruler and his cousin.
b. Doctrine of Lapse: According to this doctrine, if the ruler of a protected or dependent state died without a natural heir, his state would automatically lapse or pass to the British company.
c. Subsidiary Alliance:
I. The company would provide military assistance to the Indian state which signed this treaty. II. The signatory Indian state was compelled by the company to accept the permanent stationing of a British force within its territory and to pay a subsidy for its maintenance. III. The native ruler was compelled to cede part of his territory instead of Paying annual subsidy.
Activity:
Identify the image (Britisher) given below and Discuss about his policy of annexation in India. Questions and Answers:
1. State three causes of the rise of the British power in India?
2. Why did the British company remove Mir Jafar and Mir Qasim from the throne of Bengal?
3. Which three Indian powers made a union to fight against the British in the battle of buxar?
4. What do you understand by the ‘Dual System of Governance’?
5. Why was Awadh annexed by the British?
6. Why were captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe sent to the court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir?
7. Discuss in brief various method adopted by the British for annexing territories in India?
8. What was Vasco Da Gama’s contribution in the field of geographical discoveries? Answers:
1. The three causes of the rise of the British power in India are:
i. Dual System of Governance in Bengal
ii. Rise of the British power in Bengal
iii. The British east India company
2. The British company removed Mir Jafar and Mir Qasim from the throne of Bengal because they objected to their unfair trade practices.
3. The three Indian powers who made a union to fight against the British in the Battle of Buxar were Mir Qasim, Mughal emperor Shah Alam 2nd, Shuja- ud- Daulah.
4. Clive established ‘Dual System of Governance’. The deputy diwans appointed by the company collected Revenue on behalf of the company and looked after the administration (Nizamat) on behalf of the Nawab. Under this system, power was divorced from responsibility. The responsibility to look after the state lay with the Nawab, the actual power lay with the English.
5. The abolition of internal duties by Mir Qasim was considered by the British to be the violation of their rights which led to a series of Battles between Mir Qasim and British. After successive defeats Mir Qasim fled to awadh and formed combine forces. These forces were badly defeated in the battle of Buxar which led to the annexation of awadh.
6. Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe were sent to the court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir in order to obtain the rights to trade in India.
7. Various methods adopted by the British for annexing territories in India are:
a. Taking advantage of the war of succession: Bharatpur was annexed in 1826 after a war of succession broke out between the minor son of the Jat ruler and his cousin.
b. Doctrine of Lapse: According to this doctrine, if the ruler of a protected or dependent state died without a natural heir, his state would automatically lapse or pass to the British company.
c. Subsidiary Alliance:
I. The company would provide military assistance to the Indian state which signed this treaty. II. The signatory Indian state was compelled by the company to accept the permanent stationing of a British force within its territory and to pay a subsidy for its maintenance. III. The native ruler was compelled to cede part of his territory instead of paying annual subsidy.
8. The all new sea- route from Europe to India via the Cape of Good Hope by Vasco de Gama in 1498 was one of the main Achievements. It was an Independent route and free from Turkish influence.
Questions:
1. Discuss the Battle of plassey and Battle of Buxar?
2. Discuss Lord Dalhousie’s doctrine of lapse and its consequences?
3. Discuss the main cause of the Anglo French struggle?
4. In context to the expansion of the British rule discuss the ‘Mysore Wars’ and ‘Sikh Wars’?