Expansion of British Power in India: Modern History for SSC Exams by Aditya Sir

While studying modern history for SSC Exams, one of the major topics to be covered is the expansion of British Power in India. The British expanded their power in India through strategic alliances, military victories, and annexation policies.  

The expansion of British Power in India was a result of a series of events that included the Battles of Plassey and Buxar, the Subsidiary Alliance by Lord Wellesley, and the Doctrine of Lapse by Lord Dalhousie. 

Major reforms in administration, infrastructure, and social aspects also marked this era. Learn in detail about the expansion of British Power in India for the SSC Exams

The Expansion of British Power in India: Introduction

The British East India Company, initially traders, strategically gained political dominance across India through various means. This era witnessed critical battles, diplomatic maneuvers like the Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse, and the tenures of influential Governors-General who shaped the subcontinent's future.

Practice Expansion of British Power in India for the SSC exam through MCQs here with Aditya Sir:

Key Battles that Marked the Beginning of the British Era

The British era in India did not begin overnight. It was shaped by a series of decisive battles that gradually transformed a trading company into a ruling power. What started as commercial activities of the British East India Company soon turned into political dominance through strategic warfare, alliances, and diplomacy.

Several key battles in the 18th century changed the course of Indian history.

• Battle of Plassey (1757)

• Battle of Buxar (1764)

• Battle of Wandiwash (1760)

• Anglo-Mysore Wars

• Anglo-Sikh Wars

The Battle of Plassey

In 1757, Siraj-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, was defeated by British forces led by Lord Clive.

Background Events

1. Black Hole Tragedy (June 20, 1756): Siraj-ud-daulah attacked Fort William in Calcutta and imprisoned 146 British individuals in a small, unventilated room. A survivor, Holwell, reported that 123 died, an incident the British termed the Black Hole Tragedy.

2. Treaty of Alinagar: Clive and Watson compelled Siraj to sign a treaty, which he later violated.

The Battle

• Date: June 23, 1757

• Combatants: Siraj-ud-daulah (supported by loyal commanders like Mir Madan and Mohanlal) against the British Army led by Robert Clive. Most of Siraj's other commanders had conspired with the British.

• Outcome: The British secured a decisive victory, largely due to betrayal within the Nawab's camp.

Battle of Buxar (1764)

The Battle of Buxar, fought on 22 October 1764, was one of the most decisive battles in Indian history. 

Background 

After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British had gained significant influence in Bengal. However, tensions continued between the Company and the local rulers. Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, attempted to free himself from British control and reorganized his army. When conflicts escalated, he formed an alliance with Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor.

The Battle

The battle took place near the town of Buxar. The British forces, led by Major Hector Munro, faced the combined armies of the three Indian rulers. Despite being outnumbered, the British troops were better disciplined and strategically organized.

The alliance was defeated, and this victory gave the British a decisive military advantage.

Consequences 

• In 1765, the Treaty of Allahabad was signed.

• The Company received the Diwani rights (the right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

• The Mughal Emperor became dependent on the British.

• British political and economic control in India significantly expanded.

The Ring Fence Policy

The Ring Fence Policy, primarily associated with Warren Hastings (1756-1813), was a defensive strategy.

• Concept: This policy aimed to create buffer zones around the Company's territories.

• Method: The British defended the frontiers of their neighboring allied states to protect their own borders. This was an early form of the Subsidiary Alliance, using allied states as a protective "fence" against external threats.

The Subsidiary Alliance

The Subsidiary Alliance, proposed by Lord Wellesley in 1798, was a strategic policy to bring Indian princely states under British control without direct military conquest.

How did this Alliance work?

1. The British stationed their army contingent within an Indian ruler's territory, ostensibly for "protection."

2. The Indian ruler was compelled to accept this arrangement and bear all costs, including salaries and supplies, for this British force.

3. Refusal was not an option for the rulers.

Strategic Advantages for the British

This policy offered significant benefits to the British:

1. Cost-Free Army Maintenance: It allowed the British to maintain a large, standing army at the expense of Indian rulers.

2. Creation of Buffer Zones: Allied states served as protective buffers, shielding core British territories from direct attacks.

3. Intelligence Gathering: The presence of British forces within a state facilitated intelligence collection on the ruler's internal affairs and plans, preempting anti-British conspiracies. The strategy effectively pitted Indian states against each other.

The Nizam of Hyderabad was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance in 1798, followed by the rulers of Mysore (1799) and Tanjore (1799).

The Doctrine of Lapse

The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy implemented by Lord Dalhousie.

Policy Definition

• This doctrine stated that if a princely state ruler died without a natural-born male heir, his kingdom would "lapse" and be annexed by the British Empire.

• The traditional Indian practice of adopting a son for royal succession was explicitly disallowed.

• Indian rulers regarded this policy as "usurpation" (Hadap Niti).

Key Annexations under the Doctrine

• Satara (1848): The first state annexed under this policy.

• Other significant annexations included Jaitpur (1849), Sambalpur (1849), Baghat (1850), Jhansi, and Nagpur.

The Anglo-Mysore Wars

A total of four Anglo-Mysore Wars were fought.

The Third Anglo-Mysore War and the Treaty of Seringapatam

The Third Anglo-Mysore War, fought between Tipu Sultan and the British, concluded with the Treaty of Seringapatam on March 18, 1792.

• Terms of the Treaty: The treaty imposed severe conditions on Tipu Sultan:

1. He had to pay a war indemnity of 3 crore rupees.

2. He was forced to surrender his own sons as hostages to the British until the payment was made.

• Consequence: This humiliating treaty led Tipu to seek foreign alliances, contributing to the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.

Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845-49)

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the founder of the Sikh Empire in Punjab. His successor was his eldest son, Kharak Singh. The Anglo-Sikh Wars were two major conflicts fought between the powerful Sikh Empire and the British East India Company in the mid-19th century. 

Treaty of Amritsar (1809)

This treaty, signed between Ranjit Singh and the British (negotiated by Metcalfe), fixed the Sutlej River as the boundary between the Sikh Empire and British territories.

• The territory west of the Satluj River was designated as Ranjit Singh's domain, allowing him to expand.

• The territory south of the Satluj River was recognized as British.

• This allowed Ranjit Singh to expand his empire significantly, conquering regions like Kashmir, Sindh, and areas around Peshawar. However, after his death, the British annexed his empire during the Anglo-Sikh Wars.

First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846)

The First Anglo-Sikh War broke out in 1845. Major battles such as Mudki, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and Sobraon were fiercely fought. Despite the bravery and strength of the Sikh army, internal betrayals and strategic disadvantages led to their defeat.

The war ended with the Treaty of Lahore (1846), under which the British gained control over significant territories and increased their political influence in Punjab.

Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–1849)

The Second Anglo-Sikh War began due to unrest and rebellion against British interference. Key battles included Chillianwala and Gujrat. This time, the British forces achieved a decisive victory.

In 1849, Punjab was formally annexed by the British East India Company, and the young ruler Maharaja Duleep Singh was deposed. This marked the complete end of the Sikh Empire and strengthened British dominance in northern India.

British Land Revenue Systems in India

Sir Thomas Munro is primarily associated with the Ryotwari System.

Explanation of the Ryotwari System

• Core Principle: 'Ryot' means farmer. The farmer was recognized as the owner of the land, eliminating middlemen.

• Taxation: Farmers paid taxes directly to the government. They retained ownership if taxes were paid; failure led to land confiscation.

Implementation: First introduced by Captain Read in 1792 in a small area, then effectively implemented by Thomas Munro in 1822.

Here is a comparison of major land revenue systems under British rule: