Reasons for fall of Mughal Empire

➢ Aurangzeb policies
➢ Vast empire
➢ Weak administration
➢ Later rulers were incompetent
➢ Degeneration of nobility
➢ War of succession
➢ Local rebellions and declining military skills
➢ Foreign invasions
➢ Arrival of British

4 mark questions (4 valid points max 6-8 lines)

Q. What was Suttee?

Q. Describe Jizya tax

Q. What were Aurangzeb policies?

Q. Who was Shah Jehan?

Q. Describe Mansabdari systems.

Mansabdari was a system of ranking the government officials which determined their civil
and military duties, along with their remunerations. Under this system, nobles were granted
the rights to hold a jagir, or revenue assignment (not land itself), for services rendered by
them. The mansabdars were responsible for the implementation of law in his ruling area.
They were supposed to help the emperor when he needed help in any emergency.

Q. Who were Zamindars?

Zamindars were powerful local chieftains who were appointed by the Mughal rulers. They
collected revenue and taxes from the peasants and gave them to the Mughal Emperor. They
became more powerful in some areas with time. Some Zamindars along with the peasants
rebelled against the exploitative nature of the Mughal administrators.

Q. What was succession wars?

Q. Describe pleasure seeking of Mughals.

Q. Who were Mahratta’s?

Q. Who was Sivaji?

Q. Who was Ahmed Shah Abdali?

Q. Why Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded the sub-continent?

7 mark questions (3 valid developed reasons)

Q. Explain how Aurangzeb policies contributed in decline of the Mughal Empire?

Aurangzeb’s policies to a certain extent were responsible for the decline of the mole
empire. Firstly, Aurangzeb re-imposed the Jizya tax on non Muslim which was exempted by
Akbar, which gave rise to Hindu resentment and rebellion. Aurangzeb had to fight a battle
against Rajput which resulted in the loss of friendship and support of Rajputs and Hindus
which Akbar created. Moreover he banned alcohol and dancing and imposed such strict
religious policies. Both the nobles and Hindu community did not find favorable at all which
further made him unpopular among his people

Secondly, Aurangzeb had expanded his kingdom in north and south. His kingdom
stretched from Kashmir to extreme south and from Kabul to Bengal. This vastness of
empire also became a reason for this decline because the later rulers could not control the
large kingdoms. This resulted in shrinking of the size and power, also degenerated revenue
for the Mughal empire

Lastly Aurangzeb’s involvement in the Deccan campaigns against the Marathas was so
prolonged that the king remained absent from the capital for over 25 years the deck in
campaign also drained the strength and finances of the kingdom this shook the foundation
of the empire and caused a rapid disintegration

Q. Explain how later rulers/successors contributed in decline of Mughal Empire?

The Mughal empire was declined due to the incompetence and weakness of Aurangzeb’s
successors The later Mughal rulers were neither good generals nor good Statesman who
could control and effectively administer a large empire. The later rulers lacked courage and
determination and were indulged in a life of luxuries. They were only interested in drinking
music and poetry rather than administration and statementship. Moreover the corrupt and
pleasure seeking nobility and ease loving officers further weakened the empire.

Apart from that, they spent a great deal of Mughal treasury in building extravagant buildings
and mosque. No money was spent on the development and modernization of military or
better infrastructure for the locals. The Mughal army though large, lacked training and
modernization. Their weapons and war tactics were outdated and ineffective due to which
they could not face the invasions of Nadir Shah, Ahmed Shah Abdali and later the EIC.
Also, there was no law of succession which led to a series of succession wars after the
death of ruler. These wars led to a division of the Army with various lobbies supporting
various princes. These wars incurred huge loss as many important lives were lost and state
resources used up, the rising non Muslim powers took great advantage of it and speeded
up the crumbling of the great Mughal Empire.

Q. Explain why the Mughal empire decline following the death of Aurangzeb.

The Mughal empire was declined due to the incompetence and weakness of Aurangzeb’s
successors The later Mughal rulers were neither good generals nor good Statesman who
could control and effectively administer a large empire. The later rulers lacked courage and
determination and were indulged in a life of luxuries. They were only interested in drinking
music and poetry rather than administration and statementship. State resources were
spent on personal conference and so the Empire suffered from financial inefficiencies
Moreover the corrupt and pleasure seeking nobility and ease loving officers further
weakened the empire.

Also, there was no law of succession which led to a series of succession wars after the
death of ruler. These wars led to a division of the Army with various lobbies supporting
various princes. These wars incurred huge loss as many important lives were lost and state
resources used up, the rising non Muslim powers took great advantage of it and speeded
up the crumbling of the great Mughal Empire.

Invasions from Persia, Afghan and Europeans further accelerated the process of decline
Nadir shah sacked many cities in 1739 and Ahmed Shah Abdali repeatedly attacked India
from 1748 onwards. Gradually fighting wars became expensive and the military was
stretched and suffered from inefficiency of skills. It became hard to defend a vast empire
with orthodox and outdated weapons and fighting tactics. The British who had been
developing their army fully exploited these weaknesses of very rich Mughal empire that
they overran with their advance to weapons, warfare and clever strategies.

Q. Explain three reasons for the decline of the Mughal empire.

14 mark questions (7 valid developed reasons + conclusion)

Q1. Was the infighting between Aurangzeb ‘s successors the most important reason
for the collapse of the Mughal Empire? Explain your answer.

After Aurangzeb death (1707), there was in-fighting for the Throne due to the absence of law
of succession. Aurangzeb’s son was the succeeded under the name of Bahadur Shah I. He
defeated his younger brothers Azam and Kam Baksh who were killed during these
succession wars. Bahadur Shah I was 65 years old and ruled for only 5 years died in 1712.
However in this short span he was able to suppress the Sikh uprising in Punjab. Later
Bahadur Shah own sons also fight for The Throne. These succession wars caused great
disintegration due to loss of many important lives of generals and nobles and also Mughal
treasury was emptied.

However there were other important reason too which played a great role in decline of
Mughal Empire. The Mughal empire was declined due to the incompetence and weakness
of Aurangzeb’s successors The later Mughal rulers were neither good generals nor good
Statesman who could control and effectively administer a large empire. The later rulers
lacked courage and determination and were indulged in a life of luxuries. They were only
interested in drinking music and poetry rather than administration and statementship
which further weakened the empire.

Apart from that the Mughal Empire had grown so vast that it became difficult to control and
administer it. The result was that far of provinces like Bengal, Deccan, Bihar and Oudh
gradually game independent and the Mughal empire gradually shrank in size and power.

Moreover the Mughal army was large but neither efficient nor effective on account of
outmoded equipment and war methods. The general became corrupt and ease loving. They
became week because of lack of discipline proper training supply and modernisation of
weapons. The nobility also became pleasure loving and complacent as result of long
period of wealth and luxury causing the disruption in Mughal empire

Besides that, the invasions from Persia and Afghan further exposed the weakness of
Mughal Army. They attacked Delhi and plundered it in 1739 and 1761. The Mughal ruler had
become powerless and the kingdom was reduced to a strip of land 100 miles wide and 300
miles long around Delhi. Revenue was reduced and Mughal treasury was emptied and
many lives were lost. As a result Kabul, Punjab and Sindh were lost to the Mughals forever

In the meantime, the rise of non Muslim powers like Marathas, Sikhs and British also
caused the crumbling of Mughal and Muslim power in India. Marathas gradually rose up in
the Deccan and Sikhs gained power in the Punjab. More important were the British who
rose up as a very strong force controlling Bengal and Bihar. Mughals were no match to
these powers.

Lastly the Mughals did not pay attention to naval power at all. The British had a clear
military advantage because of growing industrial strength, new weapons and superior
techniques. The result was that within a hundred years after the death of Aurangzeb the
British took over Delhi and placed Shah Alam under British protection with a pension.
In my opinion, the most important reason for the collapse of Mughal Empire was not
infighting among rulers but incompetency of later rulers due to which state resources were
spent on personal conference and so the Empire suffered from financial inefficiencies.

Q2. “Arrival of British was the main reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire”. Do
you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer

British arrived in India in 1608 and became was one of the reason for the decline of Mughal
Empire as the British were too strong and gradually increased their power and expanded
the territories under their control with the help of their superior administration and
organisation. They had clear military advantages due to industrial development in England
which facilitated them with abundance of developed weapons, well-trained and disciplined
army and a powerful naval force. However they were not the main reason though they took
great advantage of the weaknesses of Mughal Empire.

(6 OTHER REASONS MENTIONED IN ANSWER 1)

Q3. The rise of Mahratta was the main reason for the decline of Mughal empire. Do you
agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer

Marathas were the militant Hindu community concentrated mainly in the southern Indian
state of Maharashtra the Maratha Empire was founded by the ferocious Marathan
commander Shivaji in 17th century. Marathas gradually organized themselves and began to
offer stiff resistance to the Mughals. They defeated the Mughal Army in 1737 outside Delhi
and had captured the strategic town of Malwa in 1738. During the first six decades of the
18th century they were the most powerful and established community in India that was
ready to fill in the power vacuum created by the declining Mughal rule. Successive moral
rulers found it almost impossible to check the rapidly growing Marhattan power. Thus
Marhatta became one of the important reason for the fall of Mughal Empire.

( 6 other reasons from ANSWER 1)

Q4. “Aurangzeb’s successors failed to live up to his courageous and determined

personality.” Was this the main reason for the decline of Mughal empire? Give reasons
for your answer

Same as Answer 1

Q5. “Were the weak and greedy characteristics of Aurangzeb’s successors main
reason for the decline of Mughal empire? Give reasons for your answer
Same as Answer 1

Q6. The policies of Aurangzeb were the main reason for the decline of Mughal empire.
Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer

Aurangzeb’s policies to a certain extent were responsible for the decline of the mole
empire. Aurangzeb re-imposed the Jizya tax on non Muslim which was exempted by Akbar,
which gave rise to Hindu resentment and rebellion. Aurangzeb had to fight a battle against
Rajput which resulted in the loss of friendship and support of Rajputs and Hindus which
Akbar created. Moreover he banned alcohol and dancing and imposed such strict religious
policies. Both the nobles and Hindu community did not find favorable at all. His expansion
policies also proved troublesome for later rulers as they could not administer it efficiently.

However there were other important reason as well. ( 6 other reasons from ANSWER 1)

EIC (EAST INDIA COMPANY)

Who?

When?

Why?

• To conduct trade
• India was an alternate option
• Attraction of Indian wealth
• Competition with other European companies operating in India
• Following the policy of colonization
• To protect India
• Weak political and administrative control.

British Expansion in India:

Policies:

• Policy of Paramountcy 1774 – 85

• Subsidiary Alliances 1798 -1805
• Doctrine of Lapse 1852
Success and Failures c

• Battle of Plessey 1757

• Battle of Buxar 1764
• Anglo Mysore wars- 1799
• British occupied Delhi 1803
• Anglo Mahratta war 1818
• Challenged by Titu Mir 1832
• Attack on Afghanistan 1839
• Annexation of Sindh 1843
• Annexation of Punjab and NWFP 1846-49

4 mark question ( 4 verified point max 6-8 line)

Q. What was the Industrial Revolution? [4]

It was the process of industrialisation of Europe, and England was its first and greatest
beneficiary. Factory industry began to produce goods in bulk in the 1780's in selected
towns of England. The development of steam engine provided power to run machines,
railways and steamships. This resulted in the growth of a rich business community in
England, and changed the landscape of its towns and lifestyle of the people.

Q. What was the East India Company?

It was a trading company that was granted the charter of trading rights in 1600 by Queen
Elizabeth I. Its first ship landed on the southern Indian town of Surat, in 1608. It was granted
permission to trade in India by the Emperor Jahangir in 1612. It began to earn huge profits,
and moved its headquarters to Bombay/Mumbai in 1664. Gradually, it began to acquire
military power during 18th century. It was abolished in 1858 by the British government.

Q. What happened in Battle of Plassey?

In 1757, the French encouraged Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula of Bengal to attack the EIC base at
Calcutta. The Nawab captured the city but Robert Clive reached with his army of 3,000
soldiers and bribed Mir Jafar, one of Siraj's key commanders. Clive defeated the Nawab's
army of 18,000 in the battle. The Nawab's dead body was found in a river after the battle.
Mir Jafar was made the Nawab as a reward for turning against the Nawab and supporting
Robert Clive. This victory became the foundation of the British rule in India as Clive became
the governor of Bengal.

Q. Who was Mir Qasim?

He succeeded Mir Jaffar as the new governor of Bengal in 1760. He cooperated with the EIC
in confiscating lands and wealth of the people of Bengal, thus strengthening the British.
After some years he felt uncomfortable with the growing demands of the Company, and
tried to stop the British influence in Bengal. In 1764, he raised a combined army with the
help of the Mughal king Shah Alam and the ruler of Oudh, Shuja ud Daula. Robert Clive
defeated this huge army with his traditional clever tactics.

Q: Who was Tipu Sultan?

Tipu was the Sultan of Mysore in southern India from 1782 to 1799 and was a formidable
enemy of the British. The EIC maligned his conduct by declaring him "the monster of
Mysore". He was helped by the French and defeated the British in the 2nd Anglo-Mysore
War, and forced the British to accept the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784. The EIC defeated him
in the 3rd Anglo-Mysore War in 1789. Lord Wellesley's army defeated and killed him in the
4th Anglo-Mysore War in 1799 in his fort of Seringapatam

Q. Describe Black-hole incident of Calcutta

Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula decided to punish the British after they had started fortifying
themselves at important posts in Calcutta in violation of their treaty with him. He marched
on Calcutta and seized the Company's Fort William in June 1756. The 64 captured British
residents were locked up in a small room where 23 of them were found dead the following
morning. This was used by Robert Clive as an excuse to whip up anger against the Nawab.
Clive army defeated and killed the Nawab in the battle of Plessey 1756.

Q. Who was Titu Mir?

Q. Describe Battle of Buxar.

Q. Who was Hyder Ali.

Q. What was Doctrine of lapse?

The doctrine of lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1852 according to this doctrine.
If any Indian ruler dies without leaving a male successor, his Kingdom would automatically
pass over to the British. Indians considered it shameful British tactics to grab Indian lands.
Soon after this doctrine was imposed, the lands of Jhansi, Nagpur and Satara fell in hands
of British

Q. Who was Lord Wellesley?

He was the governor general of India in 1798. He persuaded local Princess and rulers to
sign subsidiary alliances. Local rulers were also forbidden to make any other alliances. In
1799, he invaded Mysore killing Tipu Sultan and gaining control of his lands. He also
defeated the Nawab of Oudh and took control over their territory.

Q. Who was Warren Hasting.?

Warren hasting was the first governor general or victory of India in 1782. He was also the
British statement, who introduced number of reforms in administration, revenue, finance,
commerce and the judiciary. He developed policies relating to Oudh and Rohilla. He was
also involved in several wars, including the Anglo Maratha war in Anglo Mysore war. He was
also a patron of the Arts.

Q. Who was Robert Clive?

He was hired as a clerk by the East India Company but soon he joined the Company army
and earned fame as a brilliant commander. In 1751, he gained his first victory by defeating
the Nawab of Carnatic/Karnataka in the battle of Arcot. In June 1757, his army defeated the
Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula in the Battle of Plassey and became the governor of Bengal. His next
victories were in the battle of Pondicherry against the French in 1761, and Buxar against the
Indians, in 1764. He faced trial in England, and though equitted, he committed suicide in
1774.

Q. Who was Mir Jafar?

Q. How British reacted to the anarchy created by EIC during 1880-1890 in the sub-
continent?

Q. What was regulating act of 1773/ India act of 1784?

Indian acts of 1773 and 1784 established the dual system of control by the British and the
East India company, by which the company retained control of Commerce and day to day
administration, but Important political matters were reserved directly with the British
government

Q. Describe annexation of Sindh

In 1841, all British troops were killed in a rebellion in Afghanistan causing a serious damage
to the British prestige. They decided to undo this damage, and asked their general Charles
Napier to provoke the Amirs of Sindh who had been on friendly terms with the British since
1809. The Amirs attacked the British Residency in 1843. The British, in turn, attacked and
annexed Sindh by defeating the Amirs the same year.

Q. Describe the annexation of the Punjab and the NWF.

After the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839, there was a political crisis in the Punjab. The Sikhs,
violating the Treaty of Perpetual Friendship of 1809, attacked the British and were defeated
in the Battle of Aliwal in January 1846. They were penalized and forced to sign the Treaty of
Lahore. In the Second Sikh War, 1848-1849, the Sikhs were defeated again and the Sikh
Empire came to end. The British annexed the Punjab and the NWF on 30th March 1849.

Q. What was charter 0f India 1833?

The Charter Act of 1833 was passed in the British Parliament which renewed the East India
Company’s charter for another 20 years. This was also called the Government of India Act
1833. This act permitted the English to settle freely in India. This act legalised the British
colonisation of the country.

Q. What was Treaty of Lahore 1846?

The Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9 March 1846 after the First Sikh War. As per the treaty,
the Sikhs agreed to hand over Kashmir and Hazara and Jalandhar Doab to the British. It was
due to this treaty that the Kohinoor diamond was handed to the British. Under this treaty
Sikhs were also asked to limit their power to a certain number.

Q. What was Queen’s proclamation of 1858?

Under this act the queen Victoria became the sovereign of British territories in India with
the title Empress of India. It's provisions called for the liquidation of the East India company
and the transferal of its function to the British which means that now the queen had the
authority over India’s administration, both social and economic. In this act the doctrine of
lapse was also reversed which disclaimed the British attention to annex any Indian state.
Under this act complete freedom of religion to Indian was ensured and gradual Indian
participation in the administration of the country was also proclaimed

Q. What was Vernacular press Act 1878?

Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878 to curtail the freedom of the Indian-language
(i.e., non-English) press from expressing criticism of British policies—notably, the
opposition that had grown with the outset of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80). The
act excluded English-language publications. It elicited strong and sustained protests from
a wide spectrum of the Indian populace

Q. Describe subsidiary Alliances

The subsidiary alliances, introduced by Lord Wellesley, was a treaty between the British
East India company and the princely Indian state, which forced the Indian kingdoms to
surrender their authority to the English. In return the British would protect them from there
Enemies which gave the British enormous expansion.

7 mark question (3 valid developed reasons)

Q. Why EIC was interested in India?

Or

Explain why the EIC became involved in the Indian sub-continent during the 17th
century? [7]

British were attracted to the Indian wealth and resources. With the discovery of sea route to
India by the Portuguese traveler Vasco Da Gama, reports began to reach about Indian
riches and resources to England. India became known as the "golden sparrow" because of
its fabulous wealth and resources such as cotton, silk, jute, indigo, jewellery and even the
addictive drug opium. British needed these to feed their factory industry as they would
soon be the fastest industrializing nation not only in Europe but also in the world. Therefore,
they began to conquer various Indian territories while introducing their own system of
administration in these areas.

British also began to think about expanding their influence and trade to the Far East and
South East Asia. For this they 22 of 322 continent) as the Indian peninsula was loc ategic
port in South Asia (Indian sub- nternational crossroads, and surrounded by a warm water
sea where multiple ports could operate throughout the year. Strategic ports, such as the
Bombay (now Mumbai), 1875 and Calcutta (now Kolkata), 1893 were founded by the British
in a planned way. These greatly helped the British expand their trade in multiple

Also, British wanted to oust other European colonial powers such as the Dutch, Portuguese
and French from India in order to enjoy monopoly of trade in India. The Dutch had driven
the Portuguese and the British out of South East Asia in the 17th century. Therefore, the
British had to turn towards South Asia where the Indo-Pak subcontinent proved to be a
much better option for them. Establishing themselves cleverly, they began to replace other
European nations in India. With the availability of more destructive weapons and using
their clever non-military tactics, they were able to accomplish this mission rather
successfully.

Q. Why British built railways in India during 19 th century?

Railways transported raw materials easily/cheaply to the ports for export/ manufactured
goods to be sold throughout India, increasing British profits. British expansion policies
granted them access to effective trade routes and introduction of railway further
consolidated British monopoly and influence all over the state. It also helped the
government to administer funds and aids at time of famine or calamity

Moreover, railways carried troops swiftly around India (helping the British to maintain law
and order and extend power. British could travel the country and spread their ideas /
culture, gaining support / to govern effectively at the times of any uprising.

However, to win support of Indians who found them useful for travel as families were able
to travel to visit relatives in other parts of India. Railways made their lives easier also
helped them in trading goods from one part of the country to the other.

Q. Why Robert Clive was successful in Battle of Plessey 1757?

Q. How did Robert Clive lay the foundation of for British rule in India? [7]

Clive made to fortify various military posts in Calcutta. This was a violation of an agreement
with the Nawab of Bengal, Suraj ud Daula. The angry Nawab imprisoned several British in a
small dungeon in the summer heat of June 1756. In the following morning, 24 of the 63
prisoners were found dead due to suffocation. This Black Hole tragedy gave Clive an excuse
to attack Bengal.

Clive defeated a huge army of the Nawab in the historic battle of Plassey by bribing Mir
Jafar, the key commander of Siraj ud Daula. This victory gave the EIC control over the
resources of Bengal. Valuable goods like salt, betel nut, tobacco and saltpetre were
shipped to England in bulk. Thus began unchecked exploration of Indian resources. Clive
and his team made plenty of money from this trade. Clive's victory in the battle of Buxar in
1764 made British the rulers of northeastern India.

Clive was made first governor of Bengal in recognition of his services for the EIC. He
received heavy amounts of wealth from the newly appointed puppet Nawab Mir Qasim.
This wealth was kept by himself and given to the EIC officials, too. Though accused by the
members of the British parliament of accepting bribes, Clive had laid a strong foundation of
the British rule in one of the richest provinces of India. The upcoming British officers
continued to strengthen the British rule over India.

Q. Why was Robet Clive appointed the first Governor of Bengal? [7]

Robert Clive was a gifted military commander in the EIC. First he defeated the French, and
then strengthened the British control over India during the second half of the eighteenth
century. In 1751, he defeated the Nawab of Carnatic, Chanda Sahib in the battle of Arcot,
part of the second Carnatic war. The Nawab was assisted by a small number of French
troops. This increased the influence of the British in southern India. The EIC slowly began to
expand its control over northern India with the help of Clive.

Clive became more prominent by winning one of the most important battles, the battle of
Plassey against Nawab Siraj ud Daula of Bengal, in 1757. This victory was a result of the
clever war tactics of Clive as well as his ability to bribe the key officer of the Nawab, Mir
Jafar. Thus, the British gained control of one of the richest provinces of India, and also
began a highly profitable trade in Bengal.

Clive's repute further improved by his role in the decisive battle of Buxar, in 1764. The
combined armies of the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, the Nawab of Bengal Mir Qasim,
and the Nawab of Oudh could not defend themselves against a smarter British army led by
Robert Clive and Hector Monro. With this victory the entire province of Bengal and
neighbouring territories came under the British rule. The EIC now took control of the
revenue collection in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, and also extended influence to Oudh. It
decided to give some reward to Robert Clive for these important victories. Therefore he was
made the Governor of Bengal. As the Governor, Clive continued to demonstrate is skills of
ruling a huge area and strengthening the British control.

Q. How did the Industrial Revolution change England? [7]

Industrial Revolution was the process of industrialization of England that was later
experienced by other European nations too. With the invention of steam-engines, the
machinery of the first of the factories began to work in the 1780's. The steam-power began
to run railway engines and ships. This created a sizeable segment of rich class in England,
and an overall improvement in the standard of living of the ordinary citizens.

Also, raw cotton from India gave a boost to the textile industry that tremendously increased
the export earnings of England. Soon it also started manufacturing modern and more
powerful weapons that enabled it to colonise various countries in Asia and Africa.
Gradually, Britain developed a huge and strong navy that helped it reach remote markets of
the world and conquer other countries.

However, The Industrial Revolution also changed the geographical and socioeconomic
landscape of England, and by 1850 when it was rightly called, "The workshop of the world."
Several factory towns began to replace the villages while railways connected various parts
of the country. With this the population doubled from about ten millions in 1800 to twenty
millions in 1850.

Q. Why were Marathas defeated after the Mughal decline?

Marathas emerged as strong rivals to the Mughal rule. They ruled a greater part of India than
Mughals from 1674 to 1818. Their victorious journey began in 1737 when they defeated the
Mughal army outside Delhi, and soon they were ruling several parts of northern India up to
Bengal. By the middle of 18th century they were the most powerful people in India.
However, in the absence of a sustainable administrative system, they too, like Mughals,
found it difficult to govern such a huge area effectively. The central government gradually
began to lose its control over many provinces.

Moreover, Maratha families, driven by lust for short term power, started allying themselves
with the local rulers instead of remaining loyal to the Peshwa seated in Pune. This
weakened their power over state affairs, and they became victims of disunity and
disloyalty. Bajirao-II, was an inefficient Peshwa. He failed in uniting the Maratha Sardars,
and internal conflict among the Sardars weakened the power of the Marathas in various
parts of their kingdom. Another Peshwa Madhavrao granted semi-autonomy to the
strongest of Sardars, and created a confederacy of Maratha states. This policy also
backfired, and with time the semi-autonomous Sardars became fully autonomous.

Furthermore, the Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Marathas in the third and
last battle of Panipat in 1761. Abdali's army had 41,800 cavalry and 38,000 infantry along
with other troops. The Marathan army comprised 55,000 cavalry with only 15,000 infantry.
Abdali, a military genius, used his numerically superior army with great tactics, and
inflicted defeat on the Marathas. They lost several soldiers and leaders including the
Peshwa. This marked an end of the Marathan ambitions. The British intervened in 1775 in
Peshwa family succession struggle in Pune. This led to three Anglo-Maratha wars, 1775 to
1818. Finally, by 1818, the British had completely defeated them.

Q. Why were British able to expand their control over India between 1750 and 1850?

Or

Why were British able to expand their influence in India between 1750 and 1850?

Or

Explain why Britain was able expand into the subcontinent between 1750 and 1850. [7]

British expanded their influence in India quite skillfully between 1750 and 1850. They
gained strength primarily due to the major victories like the battles of Plassey (1757) and
Buxar (1764) in Bengal, and the Anglo-Mysore wars. They utilized every possible way to win
the battles. They bribed Mir Jaffar of Nawab Siraj ud Daula, and Mir Sadiq of Tipu Sultan to
gain victories in northern and southern India. Finally, they captured Sindh, the Punjab and
Kashmir from 1843 to1849. These victories gave them huge and rich areas to rule and to
exploit local resources to strengthen their position. They built railways to facilitate
movement of soldiers more quickly and easily to various parts of India. With this trade also
began to flourish making them richer and stronger.

While getting control of the conquered states the EIC began to enforce British system of
administration. This comprised the system of judiciary and governors and the Governor
General. The early Governor-Generals tried to win the Indian confidence by various steps.
Under the Charter Act 1833, the Indians were gradually included in the Civil Services. Thus,
a team of obedient Indians was gradually prepared. This helped the EIC to run the state
affairs along the British lines. The EIC also introduced trade laws that favoured its imports
and exports as well as local trade. The revenue collected from India was cleverly spent by
the British to buy and ship the local goods to England.

British also had superior military skills and more advanced weapons to which Indian Army
was no match. British were the most important beneficiary of the Industrial Revolution as
they began to develop highly advanced weapons. Their gun powder weapons were much
more destructive than the orthodox arsenal of India. The Indians did not develop a modern
navy against the British. Their disunity was closely observed and exploited by the British
who kept them divided by such tactics as the subsidiary alliances introduced by Lord
Wellesley in 1798. This enabled them to win the support of several smaller states of India.
This way they utilized their famous 'divide and rule policy' to strengthen their control over
India.

Q.Why did British government take control from the EIC?

or

Why did the British government take control of the affairs of the EIC?

British government wanted to make India its colony. It knew that political affairs of the
Indian Sub-Continent could no longer be run by a trading company. In a way it was
becoming a matter of prestige for the British government. Therefore, by passing a series of
acts, the powers of the EIC were gradually restricted. Under the Regulating Act of 1773, the
EIC was made accountable to the British Parliament. A Governor General, Warren
Hastings, was appointed for the province of Bengal.

There were also reports of mismanagement and corruption by the EIC officials, in Bengal
and other provinces. The Company officials forced the newly appointed Nawab of Bengal
to give heavy bribe to them in the form of gifts. They were involved in financial
embezzlement of the revenue of the states they had annexed. This was damaging the
repute of the British government. In 1784, the British Government passed the India Act and
took direct control of the Indian possessions. It appointed a Governor General who would
have control of the three presidencies: Bengal, Bombay and Madras. New posts of
Commander- in-Chief of the armed forces, and provincial governor were created. So, in
1813, the EIC lost its monopoly, though it continued to trade in India. Other British
companies also wanted to share in the profits of India.

British also wanted to deploy a regular army on the north-western border to counter the
Russian threat. Russia had been desperately looking for access to the warm water sea. By
way of Afghanistan, it could invade India to reach the ports of the Indian Ocean as
Afghanistan had been used by several earlier invaders as a springboard to attack India.
Therefore, in order to keep Russia from any such adventure the British government had to
take control from the EIC.

Q: Why was Warren Hastings appointed the first governor-general of India? [7]

Or

How did Warren Hastings strengthen the British Rule in India? [7]

Warren Hastings was a very studious employee of the East India Company and gained
success and prominence in the Company. Though unsupported, and at times, opposed by
his colleagues, he worked very hard to raise revenue of the Company. In order to achieve
his objectives, he introduced the concept of putting the tax collectors up for auction. This
tempted many to acquire the post by paying heavy money to the Company. Once the
ambitious candidates got the desired position of tax collector, they would use all tactics to
extort taxes from the Indians. They would force even the poor farmers to pay the fixed taxes
regardless of the land produce affected by drought or other calamities.

Hastings also extended the British control over central and southern India by fighting and
defeating fierce resistant rulers like the Marathas, and Haider Ali of Mysore. The Anglo-
Maratha wars, in which power of the Marathas was greatly weakened as Ahmed Shah
Abdali had already inflicted a humiliating defeat on them in the last battle of Panipat in
1761.In order to achieve success in these military expeditions, Hastings forced many rich
princes to give him heavy bribes.

Many important Indian towns like Pune and Gwalior were captured in these wars. Though
he couldn't gain success against Haider Ali in the second Anglo-Mysore war, he had laid a
strong foundation of the future British victories in southern India. Despite these
achievements, Hastings ended up facing trial in England for seven years.

14/10 Mark questions (7/5 valid developed reasons + conclusion)

Q: Was the India Act of 1784 the main reason why the British were able to expand
beyond Bengal between 1784 and 1850? [10/14]

The British government took many steps to restructure the EIC. In 1784, the India Act, also
known as the Pitt's India Act, by the Prime Minister William Pitt. The Act empowered the
British government to take direct control of Indian possessions. Under this the Governor
General was made a royal appointment, and the Company's Board of Directors placed by a
Board of Control comprising six member including the Secretary of State and the
Chancellor of Exchequer. Lord Cornwallis was thus appointed as the Governor General in
1786 to rule the three presidencies of Calcutta/Kolkatta, Bombay/Mumbai and
Madras/Chennai. He was assisted by three governors, and a Commander-in-Chief of the
armed forces. The status of the EIC thus changed from a trading concern to a sovereign
body in which the Crown (British government) directly controlled Bengal.

Moreover, a police system was introduced that would help in the administration of justice
and maintaining law and order in India. This way the powers of the EIC were cleverly
restricted while preparing the ground for the British government ruling India directly. The
British took many other measures to strengthen its grip on India in later years. Lord
Cornwallis enforced the Permanent Settlement Act in 1793. The Act made the Zamindars of
Bengal landowners on the condition of paying a fixed amount of tax to the British. In 1793
the amount of this tax was 10% of the amount collected from the Zamindars. Hence, the
Permanent Settlement secured the financial interests of the East India Company and
helped Bengal to become the richest province of India enabling the British to expand their
influence beyond Bengal.

Lord Wellesley became Governor General in 1798 and he introduced the system of
subsidiary alliances. Under this the local rulers were persuaded to accept the British
defence and pay its costs in the form of salaries for the British soldiers. In return, they were
allowed to retain their rulership while enhancing the British rule surreptitiously as they had
to accept a British resident advisor. They could not employ any European in their service
without approval of the British, nor could they negotiate with any other Indian rulers
without consulting the Governor General. The Nizam of Hyderabad became the first victim
of this policy. In 1798, the Nizam was detached from the French and was also barred from
making any alliance with the Marathas. In 1799, Tipu Sultan was defeated and killed, and
the state of Mysore was annexed by Lord Wellesley.

The Nawab of Oudh was forced to accept this policy in 1801, and the Maratha Peshwa Baji
Rao-Il also subjugated his stats in 1802. Other Maratha states like Bhosle, Sindia and
finally, the Maratha Confederation, Holkars also surrendered in 1803. The Marathas were
decisively defeated in the third Anglo-Maratha War, 1817-1818. The British army occupied
Delhi in 1803, and shifted the Royal Mughal Family from Red Fort to Qutub Saheb. This way,
several states came under the British rule in a slow and clever way.

The British finally turned towards north-western India. In order to undo the damage to their
prestige by their defeat in Afghanistan in 1841, the British provoked the Amirs of Sindh who
attacked the British resident Charles Napier. The British retaliated with full force and
annexed Sindh in 1843. The Punjab was annexed by exploiting the chaos in the Sikh
Darbar/Court following the death of its strong ruler, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. The ambitious
rival chiefs attacked the British possessions south of the River Sutlej, giving British an
excuse to invade the Punjab. After the Treaty of Lahore of 1846, the British, helped by a
Hindu chief Gulab Singh Dogra, annexed Kashmir that was given to Gulab Singh as a
reward. Finally, the Punjab and the NWF were annexed fully on 30th March 1849.

The Pitt's India Act seems to be the decisive factor in the British expansion in India because
it laid down a strong foundation on which was erected the building of all future victories of
the British. The Act gave the British a sense of success as they began to exploit the Indian
weaknesses including their inherent disunity.

Q. How successful was Indian resistance against British expansion between 1750 to
1850? Explain

Q. How successful were British Expansion between 1750 to 1850? Explain

Q. Social reforms was the main reason for the British expansion between 1750 to
1850? Explain.

The British imposed there will on the subcontinent to control the lands in 1757 the military
skills of British general Robert leaves enabled eic to defeat the French and take the
advantage of India's uncertaint conditions to increase British influence and control in parts
of India. (Westernization or social reforms or interference in local culture and religion:)
One of the most significant things the British did to westernize India was The replacement
of Persian and Sanskrit with English as the official language in 1830s. They were also forced
to abandon purdha which had been an Indian custom for centuries. Satti was also banned.
Indians were deeply upset by this. Coeducation was also introduced in India that was
against Indian culture.

Christian missionaries came to India to convert the local population as well as to set up
schools. In these schools the missionaries taught Christianity and expected local religions
to be given up which was resented by Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs alike

Industrial revolution
Industrial revolution was one of the main reason for British expansion within was the first
country to expertise in Industrial Revolution and through this it introduced modern
weaponry and modern war tactics. The industrial revolution in Britain did provide the British
with technology advantage such as steam power ships and weapons which help them to
maintain their control over India however the British were able to conquer India before the
industrial revolution there for wall industrial revolution in Britain was an important factor in
the British colonisation of India it was not the most important reason the conversation of
India was a complex process that involved many factors including military conquest
political manipulation and economic exploitation

Strategical war tactics.

The British military was able to defeat the Indian Army and Conquer Indian territories the
British also used political manipulation to gain control of Indian states and kingdoms the
British East India company also established a Monopoly over Indian trade which allowed it
to control the Indian economy. British introduced the policies of economic exploitation
such as imposing heavy taxes, land revenues system such as permanent settlement in
Bengal and the exploitation of resources for the benefit of Britain contributing to the
economic weakening of India, making it easier for British to establish their control in India.

Subsidiary alliance

British did not extended its power just by direct possession it made some states of India its
ally. which essentially made them puppet rulers under British control. This allowed the
British to extent their influence without direct military confrontation in many cases.

Indian act of 1784

Pitt's India Act seems to be the decisive factor in the British expansion in India because it
laid down a strong foundation on which was erected the building of all future victories of
the British. The Act gave the British a sense of success as they began to exploit the Indian
weaknesses including their inherent disunity.

Supremacy

British tend to have an unusual high opinion of themselves and they developed a strong
sense of their superiority over other races and considered themselves to bestowed with
responsibility to bring their Civilization to the rest of the world, as a result colonial ambition
was considered a duty for European powers

Doctrine of lapse
More over according to doctrine of lapse of 18522, If any Indian ruler dies without leaving a
male successor, his Kingdom would automatically pass over to the British. Indians
considered it shameful British tactics to grab Indian lands. Soon after this doctrine was
imposed, the lands of Jhansi, Nagpur and Satara fell in hands of British.

CONCLUSION….

Q. How far was Indian resistance to British expansion in this subcontinent successful
before 1850

The British imposed there will on the subcontinent to control the lands in 1757 the military
skills of British general Robert leaves enabled eic to defeat the French and take the
advantage of India's uncertain conditions to increase British influence and control in
Bengal. It's slowly begin to expand it's forces to make local Indian princess accept its
authority and was thus has able to set up its own government in parts of india.

Battle of plassey: 1756

Battle of buxar 1764

Anglo Mysore war 1799

British entered delhi 1803

Warren hasting treaty ending first Anglo Maratha war 1782….1813 second anglo
marhatta war ….1818 marhatta defeated

1841 afghan rebelliom 1843 sindh annexed

Punjab annex