From Trade to Territory – Key Vocabulary

Decline of Mughal Authority & British Entry

  • Aurangzeb’s death 17071707 ➔ Mughal centre weak; subadars & zamindars create regional kingdoms.
  • British East India Company (EIC) arrives as small trading body; gradually fills power vacuum.

East India Company: From Charter to Conflict

  • Royal Charter 16001600 by Queen Elizabeth I ⇒ EIC monopolises English trade with the “East”.
  • European rivalry (Portuguese, Dutch, French) raises Indian commodity prices; companies fortify posts, use armed ships.
  • First English factory on River Hugli 16511651; fortification starts 16961696; gains duty-free trade farman from Aurangzeb.
  • Private trade of Company officers evades duties ⇒ Bengal revenue loss, Nawab resentment.

Key Battles & Revenue Gains

  • Rising friction with Bengal Nawabs (Murshid Quli Khan → Alivardi Khan → Sirajuddaulah).
  • Battle of Plassey 17571757: Robert Clive + defection of Mir Jafar defeat Sirajuddaulah ⇒ first major British victory.
  • Battle of Buxar 17641764: Mir Qasim + Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II + Shuja-ud-Daulah lose to EIC.
  • Result: Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa granted 17651765 ⇒ Company funds wars & trade using Indian revenue.

Puppet Nawabs & ‘Nabobs’

  • Mir Jafar/Mir Qasim alternated; heavy monthly payments demanded.
  • Company officials amass personal fortunes; return to Britain as wealthy “nabobs”.

Mechanisms of Territorial Expansion ( ≈ 1757–18561757–1856 )

  • Residents: Company agents dominate succession & administration.
  • Subsidiary Alliance (Wellesley 1798–18051798–1805): Indian ruler keeps no independent army; pays for EIC troops; default ⇒ cession of territory (Awadh 18011801, Hyderabad etc.).
  • Direct wars when interests threatened:
    • Mysore Wars (four rounds 1767–17991767–1799) ➔ death of Tipu Sultan at Shrirangapatnam, subsidiary alliance on Wodeyars.
    • Anglo-Maratha Wars (I 1775–821775–82, II 1803–051803–05, III 1817–191817–19) ➔ Peshwa pensioned, EIC dominates south of Vindhyas.
    • Sikh Wars after Ranjit Singh’s death ➔ Punjab annexed 18491849.
  • Doctrine of Lapse (Dalhousie 1848–561848–56): no natural heir ⇒ state “lapses” (Satara, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Nagpur, Jhansi, Awadh 18561856).
  • Policy of Paramountcy (Lord Hastings 1813–231813–23): Company’s supremacy justifies annexation.

Administrative Reorganisation

  • Presidencies: Bengal, Madras, Bombay; head = Governor; overall head = Governor-General (first: Warren Hastings 1773–851773–85).
  • Judicial changes 17721772: district Diwani Adalat (civil) & Faujdari Adalat (criminal); Indian laws compiled (Hindu 17751775, Muslim 17781778); Supreme Court (Regulating Act 17731773).
  • Collector becomes key district authority: revenue, law & order.

Military Reforms

  • Sepoy army (sipahi) recruited from peasants; shift from cavalry dominance to infantry with muskets/matchlocks (post 1820s1820s).
  • European-style drill, uniforms, discipline imposed; caste/religious practices ignored ⇒ simmering discontent (erupts 18571857).

Extent & Significance by 18571857

  • Direct Company rule: ≈ 63%63\% territory, 78%78\% population.
  • Steamships reduce Britain–India voyage to ≈3\approx3 weeks ⇒ easier control & migration.
  • EIC transformed from trading venture to sovereign colonial power, setting stage for the 18571857 revolt and eventual British Crown rule.