Decline of the Empire

British Control of India in the Mid-Nineteenth Century

• By the mid-nineteenth century, British control extended over vast tracts of the Mughal Empire and other principalities through treaties and alliances.

• Although they ruled as agents of the Mughal Empire, they exercised complete power in practice.

Key Events

• The last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was found guilty of treason and banished to Burma.

• Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India, and Britain assumed direct control of its Indian possessions, effectively dissolving the East India Company.

Justifications for Control

• The British argued that Indians were unable to govern themselves properly, which justified their annexation policy.

• They regularly removed what they deemed "corrupt" Indian princes.

Economic Impact

• India became known as the jewel in the British Empire.

• The Afghan Lodi Sultans lost power due to indulgence, failing to learn from their predecessors' mistakes, leading to deterioration and loss of commercial edge.

• Heavy taxation imposed by the British bled wealth from the country, initially causing discontent among locals.

• However, the Mughals had initially encouraged economic development, establishing a strong banking and credit system and issuing paper money.

• Over time, the lavish lifestyle of the Mughal court contributed to economic decline.

Failure to Keep Pace

• The Mughals ignored development and did not keep pace with global advancements, particularly in weapon technology.