Major Political Events (1757-1971)

1757

Battle of Plessey

Fought between EIC and the Nawab of Bengal. Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah was displeased with the company’s misuse of trade privileges and evasion of local taxes while the British were angered by the Nawab briefly capturing Calcutta. Lord Clive, who led the British troops struck a deal with Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah’s army commander-in-chief Mir Zafar and promised him the title of the next Nawab if he did not act during the battle. Mir Zafar accepted and betrayed Siraj-ud-Daulah, leading to his defeat and the start of British colonial rule in India.

1764

Battle of Buxar

Fought between EIC and a combined armed Indian forces of Bengal, Awadh and the Mughal Empire. Mir Zafar, who had been replaced by Mir Qasem as Nawab by the British rebelled in this battle. Mir Qasem also disliked the British for abusing trade privileges and meddling in his rule since he wanted to be an independent ruler. However, the British forces eventually surrounded them and the Indian troops had to retreat after heavy casualties. This led to EIC gaining land revenue rights for the regions of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

1765

Treaty of Allahabad

The treaty granted EIC official Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. It transformed EIC from a foreign trading corporation to a territorial ruler. This also allowed the British to purchase Indian goods with local tax money and export them to British and European markets without having to use their own silver reserves at all.

1770

Great Bengal Famine

Caused by a terrible drought that hampered agriculture. Led to financial loss which the British tried to compensate for by heavily taxing the peasants and making them only grow cash crops on agricultural land. Peasants who could not pay taxes had to sell off their own food reserves which worsened food unavailability. This led to widespread malnutrition and massive loss of lives exacerbated by a smallpox epidemic.

1793

Permanent Settlement by Lord Cornwallis

A land revenue agreement between the EIC and Bengal landlords (Zamindars) that binded the landlords to pay a fixed amount of revenue to the British. Zamindars were recognized as absolute landlords under this system who collected taxes from the peasants and had the right to evict them arbitrarily. Zamindars had to pay the British their share of revenue by sunset (sun-set law) or their property would be sold off in a public auction.

1833

Charter Act of 1833 & the first Governor-General of India

The Charter Act granted complete administrative and legislative authority of all British territories in India to the first Governor-General of India, Lord William Bentrick. EIC stopped trading and became a completely administrative agent for the British crown while Madras and Bombay lost their law-making powers.

1857

Mutiny of the Indian Army

This was a massive armed rebellion against the EIC. It was triggered by rumors that the Enfield cartridges Indian sepoys were required to use were greased with cow and pig fat. This hurt religious sentiments of the Muslim who considered pigs “haram”, and the Hindus who considered cows sacred. The widespread fear of the British imposing forced religious conversion to Christianity also fueled social and cultural discontent. The EIC was abolished as a result, establishing the start of the British Raj.

1858

Government of India Act & the change of Governor-General to Viceroy

After the mutiny, India came under direct rule of the British crown. The Govt of India Act was passed to legalize this and the abolishment of the EIC. Lord Canning, the Governor-General of India at the time, also assumed the title of Viceroy. This made him the representative of the British crown in India.

1861

Viceroy’s executive council transformed into a cabinet

The India Councils Act put members of the executive council in charge of different portfolios which they had the authority to make final decisions for without consulting the Viceroy. Indians were slowly allowed to be included in the legislative council for advisory purposes, and Bmbay and Madras regained their law-making powers.

1869

Completion of the Suez Canal

Created a direct sea route from Europe to Asia, cutting sea travel time between Britain and India. Trade and travel became faster and cheaper.

1885

Indian National Congress (INC) established

In Bombay. Formed as a platform for educated Indians to voice civic and political concerns to the British administration. Eventually became the leading organization for the Indian independence movement.

1905

Bengal Partition

Implemented by Lord Curzon. Planned to split the Muslim-majority eastern region and Hindu-majority western region and establish Calcutta as the capital. The reason stated was that it would allow administrative ease and better governance. The true political reason was because the British disliked the growing nationalist sentiment in the Bengal and feared it would lead to an anti-British movement. The partition was opposed through strikes and the Swadeshi movement. When things got out of hand and violence rose such as the assassination attempts on British officials, the partition was annulled.

1906

Shimla Delegation

Historic meeting between prominent Muslim leaders and Viceroy Lord Minto. Muslims demanded separate electorates and adequate political representation. This was inspired by the Muslims feeling insecure in their own position due to the anti-partition being led by the Hindus with support from the INC. Lord Minto accepted the demands thus leading to the establishment of the Muslim League.

1906

All-India Muslim League established

Protected political and religious rights of the Muslims. Formed due to Muslims feeling unheard by and unrepresented in the INC.

1909

Minto-Morley Reforms

British parliamentary law that gave Indians a limited role in governance while keeping most of the power in British hands. Muslims were granted separate electorates and Indians were allowed to be appointed into the executive council of the Viceroy for the first time ever.

1914-1918

WWI breaks out in Europe

Viceroy Lord Hardinge declared India a participant in the war without consulting Indian political leaders. This gave rise to resentment among Indian nationalists and representatives. Still, the British Indian army fought in the war in hopes of acquiring independence from British rule in exchange for their large participation. When this didnot happen following the war, Indian resentment against the British and the independence sentiment only grew.

1915

Defense of India Act

Emergency wartime criminal law passed by the British administration to protect British India during WWI and suppress growing revolutionary nationalist movements. Censorship was imposed on public gatherings, speeches and publications. Indian resentment for the British grew more.

1915

Gandhi returns to India from South Africa

Returned to India at the urging of the INC leader after 21 years of developing his philosophy of non-violent resistance. Observed and traveled India at first to familiarize himself with domestic politics. When he saw the Indian repression under British rule, he slowly emerged as a leader of the independence movement.

1916

Lucknow Pact

Agreement between INC and Muslim League. Jinnah worked to unite both groups so they could demand a representative government and more power for elected Indians from the British.

1919

Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms

Enacted as the Govt of India Act 1919. Introduced limited self-government and a diarchy was established in the provinces. Also expanded voting rights based on property, tax and educational qualifications. British authority was still the ultimate power.