Learning Objectives
- Understand how the East India Company established trade in India
- Learn about the key battles that established British political control
- Study the subsidiary alliance and doctrine of lapse
- Understand how the Company expanded its territory
Key Concepts
Arrival of the East India Company
The English East India Company was established in 1600 by a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I. The Company came to India to trade in spices, cotton, silk, indigo, and tea. In 1615, Sir Thomas Roe obtained permission from Mughal Emperor Jahangir to establish a trading post at Surat. The Company gradually set up factories (trading posts) at Surat, Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta.
Key Battles
Battle of Plassey (1757): Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, with the help of Mir Jafar (who betrayed the Nawab). This was a turning point — it marked the beginning of British political power in India. The Company gained control over Bengal's revenue, giving it enormous financial resources.
Battle of Buxar (1764): The Company defeated the combined forces of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor). This confirmed British supremacy in Bengal.
Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767-1799): Four wars against Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799) at Seringapatam (Srirangapatna). Mysore was brought under Company control.
Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818): Three wars against the Maratha confederacy. The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1818) ended Maratha power. The Peshwa's territories were annexed.
Policies of Expansion
Subsidiary Alliance: Introduced by Lord Wellesley (1798). Indian rulers who accepted the alliance had to keep a British resident at their court, maintain British troops at their own expense, and give up their right to make alliances with other rulers. In return, the Company promised protection. Rulers lost their independence. Accepted by Hyderabad, Mysore, Tanjore, Awadh.
Doctrine of Lapse: Introduced by Lord Dalhousie (1848). If an Indian ruler died without a natural male heir, his kingdom would be annexed by the Company. Adopted heirs were not recognised. Kingdoms annexed: Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853), Jhansi (1854), Awadh (1856 — on grounds of misgovernance).
Setting Up Administration
Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal (1773). He introduced reforms in administration and justice. A new system of justice was established with civil and criminal courts. Revenue collection became the Company's primary focus through the Permanent Settlement and other land revenue systems.
Summary
The East India Company came to India as traders but gradually became rulers. Key battles at Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764) established British dominance in Bengal. The Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse were used to bring more kingdoms under Company control. By the mid-19th century, the Company had expanded its territory to cover most of India through wars, alliances, and annexation policies.
Important Terms
- East India Company
- English trading company established in 1600 that gradually became the ruler of India
- Battle of Plassey
- 1757 battle in which Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, marking the start of British rule
- Subsidiary Alliance
- Policy by Lord Wellesley requiring Indian rulers to accept British troops and lose diplomatic independence
- Doctrine of Lapse
- Policy by Lord Dalhousie of annexing kingdoms without natural male heirs
- Nawab
- Title of rulers of Bengal, Awadh, and other regions in Mughal India
- Governor-General
- The highest British administrative authority in India
Quick Revision
- East India Company established: 1600; first trading post: Surat
- Battle of Plassey (1757): Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah with Mir Jafar's betrayal
- Battle of Buxar (1764): confirmed British supremacy in Bengal
- Subsidiary Alliance (1798) by Lord Wellesley
- Doctrine of Lapse (1848) by Lord Dalhousie
- Kingdoms annexed under Doctrine of Lapse: Satara, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Nagpur, Jhansi, Awadh
Practice Tips
- Create a timeline of battles and annexations from 1757 to 1856
- Compare Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse in terms of method and effect
- Remember the key Governors-General and their contributions