Introduction – How the British Came to India as Traders

• The British East India Company was established in 1600 CE for trade with India.
• The company traded in spices, cotton, silk, and other valuable goods.
• Other European companies like the Portuguese, Dutch, and French were also competing for trade.

Why Did the British Focus on India?

• India was rich in natural resources (cotton, silk, spices).
• The Mughal Empire was declining, making it easier for the British to gain power.
• European demand for Indian goods was very high.

The Conflict with Indian Rulers – The Struggle for Power Begins

• The British set up trading posts in Surat, Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras.
• They built forts and kept armies, which led to conflicts with Indian rulers.
• Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal opposed British activities, leading to war.

The Battle of Plassey (1757) – The First Major British Victory

• The Battle of Plassey was the first major British victory in India.
• Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, fought against the British, led by Robert Clive.
• The British bribed Mir Jafar (Siraj’s commander), who betrayed the Nawab.
• Siraj-ud-Daulah was defeated, and Mir Jafar was made the new Nawab.

Why Was the Battle of Plassey Important?

• The British gained control over Bengal.
• They started interfering in Indian politics.
• They got huge wealth and resources, strengthening their army.

The Battle of Buxar (1764) – British Control Over Bengal

• Mir Jafar was replaced by Mir Qasim as Nawab of Bengal, but he too opposed British control.
• Mir Qasim, along with the Nawabs of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, fought the British.
• The British, led by Hector Munro, defeated them at the Battle of Buxar in 1764.

Why Was the Battle of Buxar Important?

• The British gained control over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
• The Mughal Emperor was forced to sign the Treaty of Allahabad (1765).s
• The British got Diwani rights (the right to collect taxes) in Bengal.

The Expansion of British Rule – Different Strategies Used

After Plassey and Buxar, the British used various political and military strategies to expand their rule.

Methods Used by the British to Expand Power

Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse – How the British Took Over States

Subsidiary Alliance (Introduced by Lord Wellesley, 1798)

• Indian rulers had to accept British “protection” and keep British soldiers in their kingdom.
• The rulers had to pay for these soldiers, which led to huge debts.
• If they could not pay, the British took over their territory.
• Example: Hyderabad, Awadh, Mysore, and the Marathas accepted the Subsidiary Alliance.

Doctrine of Lapse (Introduced by Lord Dalhousie, 1848)

• If an Indian ruler died without a son, his kingdom would be taken over by the British.
• Adopted sons were not allowed to inherit the throne.
• Example: The British took Satara (1848), Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854) under this policy.

The Role of Governors and Viceroys – Robert Clive, Warren Hastings, and Others

1. Robert Clive

• Led the Battle of Plassey (1757) and helped the British gain Bengal.
• Became the Governor of Bengal and introduced economic reforms.

2. Warren Hastings (1772–1785)

• First Governor-General of India.
• Reorganized tax collection and the judiciary system.
• Fought against the Marathas and Mysore rulers.

3. Lord Wellesley (1798–1805)

• Introduced the Subsidiary Alliance policy.
• Expanded British control over Mysore and the Marathas.

4. Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856)

• Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse.
• Developed railways, telegraphs, and postal services.

How the British Became the Supreme Power in India

• Wars – Defeated powerful rulers like Tipu Sultan (Mysore) and the Marathas.
• Policies – Used Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse to take over states.
• Economic Control – Took control of trade, taxes, and resources.

By 1857, the British had become the dominant power in India, setting the stage for the Revolt of 1857.

Conclusion

• The British East India Company came to trade but gradually took political control over India.
• The Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764) helped the British establish their rule in Bengal.
• The British expanded their rule using war, alliances, and economic policies.
• Policies like Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse allowed the British to take over many kingdoms.
• Governors like Clive, Hastings, and Dalhousie played a key role in British expansion.
• By the 19th century, the British controlled most of India, preparing the way for colonial rule.