From Traders to Rulers

Flashcards about the transition of power in India, focusing on the East India Company, key battles, and policies.

Mercantilism

Aimed to protect overseas trade interests against foreign competition.

Queen Elizabeth I's Charter (1600)

Granted the English East India Company a monopoly on trade with India.

17th and 18th Century Rivalry

Competition among European powers for control over maritime trade.

Hugli

First English factory in Bengal, established in 1651.

Farman

Secured by the Company in 1717 from Emperor Farrukhsiyar, granting duty-free trade in Bengal.

Battle of Plassey

Key battle in 1757 that paved the way for English conquest of Bengal.

Mir Jafar

Commander-in-chief of the Nawab of Bengal, who betrayed Siraj-ud-daulah in the Battle of Plassey.

Mir Jafar's Concessions

Granted the British the right to trade without taxes and collect revenue.

Battle of Buxar

Battle in 1764 that made the East India Company the real masters of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

Diwani Rights

Rights to collect land revenues in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa handed over to the British by Shah Alam II.

Dual System of Administration (1765-1772)

Introduced by Robert Clive, where the Company had real power while the Nawab had administrative responsibility.

Nabobs

English officials who amassed great wealth in India, named after the Indian word 'nawab'.

Lord Wellesley

Governor-General who used Subsidiary Alliances to bring Indian states under British control.

Subsidiary Alliance

System where Indian rulers had to accept British forces and pay a subsidy for their maintenance.

Tipu Sultan

Ruler of Mysore known as the "Tiger of Mysore" who resisted the British.

Doctrine of Lapse

Policy implemented by Lord Dalhousie to annex states without a natural heir.

Misgovernance

Accusation used by Lord Dalhousie to annex Oudh in 1856.

Presidencies

Administrative units into which British territories were divided; Bombay, Bengal and Madras.

Paramountcy

Policy claiming the Company's authority was supreme in India.