Summary of India's History: From Company Rule to Independence

Arrival

The East India Company (EIC) acquired a charter from Queen Elizabeth I in $1600$, granting it the sole right to trade with the East.

Competition

European powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, and French competed for valuable goods like cotton, silk, and spices.

Bengal Expansion

The first English factory was established on the river Hugli in $1651$; by $1696$, EIC built a fort and acquired rights to a few villages.

Battle of Plassey

In $1757$, Robert Clive defeated Nawab Sirajuddaulah, marking EIC's first major victory in India.

Battle of Buxar

In $1764$, EIC defeated Nawab Mir Qasim, granting it the Diwan of Bengal in $1765$, allowing revenue use for trade.

Subsidiary Alliance

A policy where rulers paid for EIC-maintained forces or risked territorial loss; used by Richard Wellesley.

Tipu Sultan

Known as the ‘Tiger of Mysore’; fought EIC in four wars and was killed in the Battle of Seringapatam in $1799$.

Paramountcy

Claim by Lord Hastings that EIC authority was supreme over Indian states.

Doctrine of Lapse

Policy by Lord Dalhousie to annex states if a ruler died without a male heir.

Permanent Settlement

Established in $1793$ by Charles Cornwallis; fixed revenue for zamindars leading to land title loss if unpaid.

Mahalwari Settlement

Introduced in $1822$, revenue collected from the village (mahal) and revised periodically.

Munro System (Ryotwari)

EIC dealt directly with cultivators (ryots) in South India.

Indigo Cultivation

Driven by European demand; included Nij (planters controlled land) and Ryoti (contracted ryots).

Blue Rebellion

In $1859$, Bengal ryots refused to grow indigo, leading to attacks on factories.

Birsa Munda

Led a movement in Chottanagpur for a return to a 'Golden Age', arrested in $1895$.

Key Revolts

Included Kols (1831-32), Santhals (1855), Bastar (1910), and Warli (1940) uprisings.

Causes of Revolt of 1857

Resentment over land annexations, religious interference, and poor service conditions for sepoys.

Outbreak of Revolt of 1857

Mangal Pandey's hanging in March $1857$ led to sepoys mutinying in Meerut on May 10.

Key Figures in Revolt of 1857

Nana Saheb, Rani Lakshmibai, Begum Hazrat Mahal, and Kunwar Singh.

Outcome of Revolt of 1857

British Crown took direct control via the Government of India Act of $1858$, creating the Viceroy.

Orientalism

William Jones and Henry Thomas Colebrooke promoted studying ancient Sanskrit and Persian texts.

Anglicists

James Mill and Thomas Babington Macaulay supported European learning, leading to the English Education Act of $1835$.

Wood’s Despatch

In $1854$, emphasized practical benefits of European education for trade.

Raja Rammohun Roy

Founded Brahmo Samaj and helped ban Sati in $1829$.

Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar

Campained for widow remarriage, leading to an Act passed in $1856$.

Jyotirao Phule

Founded Satyashodhak Samaj; authored Gulamgiri to combat caste inequality.

B.R. Ambedkar

Led the Temple Entry Movement in $1927$.

Indian National Congress

Established in $1885$ at Bombay with $72$ delegates.

Partition of Bengal

Partitioned by Viceroy Curzon in $1905$, leading to Swadeshi and Vandemataram movements.

Mahatma Gandhi's Arrival

Gandhi introduced non-violent satyagraha in $1915$; key events include the Rowlatt Satyagraha and Dandi March.

Independence

India gained freedom in $1947$ following the Quit India Movement and post-war negotiations.

Constitution of India

Introduced in $1950$; included universal adult franchise, equality before law, and reservations.

Linguistic States

The first linguistic state (Andhra) was formed in $1953$ after Potti Sriramulu's fast.

Economic Planning

Planning Commission set up in $1950$; the Second Five-Year Plan focused on heavy industry.

Nawab's Complaints

Nawab of Bengal criticized English traders for building forts, looting, and enslaving subjects.

Clive's Defense

Clive claimed moderation in his actions despite the wealth available to him after Plassey.

Hastings' Impeachment

Edmund Burke impeached Hastings for misgovernment in Bengal, representing the 'people of India'.

Indigo Commission Interview

Hadji Mulla expressed unwillingness to sow indigo, preferring to beg.

Sepoy Memoirs

Sitaram Pande noted distrust among sepoys due to land seizures and rumors of religious conversion.