Grade-8, SST, Expansion of British Power in India

 

Expansion of British Power in India

 

1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. 

(a) The East India Company (EEIC) received an imperial farman from Jahangir, allowing the British to trade in India.

(b) Joseph François Dupleix led the French East India Company during the First Carnatic War in Europe.

(c) The Third Carnatic War was caused by the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in Europe.

(d) The death of Ranjit Singh led to a civil war in Punjab.

(e) Lord Wellesley introduced the Subsidiary Alliance.

 

2. Choose the correct answer.

(a) The Battle of Plassey was fought in

(i) 1757

(ii) 1765.

(ⅲ) 1762

(iv) 1731

Answer- (i) 1757

(b) Mir Jafar was deposed in favour of

(i) Mir Qasim

(ii) Siraj-ud-Daulah

(iii) Hyder Ali

(iv) Ranjit Singh

Answer- (i) Mir Qasim

 

(c) The Battle of Buxar gave the English East India Company the diwani of

(i) Bengal.

(ii) Bihar

(iii) Orissa

(iv) All of these

Answer- (iv) All of these

 

(e) The Regulating Act of (i) 1773 subjected the English East India Company to the control of the 

(i) princely states.

(ii) Mughal emperor. 

(ii) British government

(iv) None of these.

Answer- (iii) British government

 

Match the rows.

(a) Robert Clive (b) Siraj-ud- Daulah (c) Lord Dalhousie (d) Pitt's India Act (e) Fort William

(i) Doctrine of Lapse (ii) Calcutta (iii) 1784 (iv) capture of Arcot (v) Battle of Plassey

 

Answer-

(a) Robert Clive	(v) Battle of Plassey	Clive led the British forces to victory at Plassey
(b) Siraj-ud-Daulah	(ii) Calcutta	Siraj-ud-Daulah was the Nawab of Bengal who captured Fort William in Calcutta
(c) Lord Dalhousie	(i) Doctrine of Lapse	Doctrine of Lapse (Lord Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of Lapse for British territorial expansion
(d) Pitt's India Act	(iii) 1784	Pitt's India Act was passed in the British Parliament in 1784
(e) Fort William	(ii) Calcutta	Fort William was a British fort located in Calcutta

 

4. Write true or false. Correct the false sentences in your notebook.

(a) Dupleix was an inefficient leader.

Answer- False. Dupleix was a French governor who actively expanded French influence in India. He might not have been efficient from a British perspective (who ultimately won control), but he was a significant figure in colonial power struggles.

(b) The Battle of Plassey gave the EEIC control over Hyderabad.

Answer- False. The Battle of Plassey (1757) decisively established British dominance in Bengal, not Hyderabad. The Nizam of Hyderabad remained an independent ally of the British for some time after Plassey.

 

(c) Lord Wellesley introduced the Indian Civil Service.

Answer- True. Lord Wellesley (Governor-General 1798-1802) introduced the Bengal Civil Service system, which later became the Indian Civil Service (ICS).

 

(d) Indians were allowed to compete for higher posts in the civil service.

Answer- False. Indians were largely excluded from higher positions in the ICS. The British created a system to maintain their control over administration.

 

(e) Equality before law was introduced in India by the British.

Answer- False. The concept of equality before law wasn't fully implemented by the British in India. While some legal reforms occurred, discrimination persisted.

 

5. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

(a) Why were the Europeans keen to trade with India? Name some important European countries that traded with India.

Answer- Europeans craved Indian spices, textiles (muslin, silk), and other luxuries. Portugal, France, Britain, and the Netherlands were major trading nations.

 

(b) Who fought against the EEIC in the Battle of Buxar?

Answer- The Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Jafar, fought the EEIC at Buxar.

 

(c) What was the cause of the Second Carnatic War? 

Answer- The French supporting the Nawab of Carnatic against the British sparked the Second Carnatic War.

 

(d) What was the Doctrine of Lapse?

Answer- The Doctrine of Lapse allowed the British to annex Indian princely states if an heir wasn't a natural-born son.

 

(e) Briefly describe the police administration set up by Lord Cornwallis.

Answer- Cornwallis established a zamindari police system with salaried zamindars responsible for local law and order. (This system had limitations.)

 

6. Answer the following questions in four or five sentences.

(a) What is the significance of the Carnatic Wars?

Answer-  The Carnatic Wars (1740s-1760s) hold significance for several reasons. They marked the beginning of European power struggles in India, with the British ultimately emerging dominant. These wars also provided a platform for figures like Robert Clive to rise, who later played a key role in solidifying British control. The Carnatic Wars exposed the weaknesses of Indian rulers and paved the way for further British expansion.

 

(b) Discuss the main causes of the outbreak of the Battle of Buxar.

Answer- The Battle of Buxar (1764) resulted from a confluence of factors. Mir Jafar, the Nawab of Bengal who initially aided the British, was unhappy with their growing power and conspired with the Mughal emperor. The British responded decisively, defeating the combined Mughal and Awadh forces at Buxar. This victory significantly strengthened the British position in Bengal and solidified their control over trade routes.

 

(c) What were the main features of the Subsidiary Alliance? 

Answer- The Subsidiary Alliance, introduced by Lord Wellesley, was a key tool of British control. Indian rulers who signed the alliance had to maintain British troops stationed within their territories, effectively becoming protectorates. This placed a financial burden on the Indian states and limited their military capabilities, making them reliant on British protection.

 

(d) Explain how the civil services were set up in India.

Answer- The British civil services in India were initially dominated by Europeans. Lord Wellesley's establishment of the Bengal Civil Service (later the ICS) created a system for recruitment through examinations in England. Indians were largely excluded from these exams until later reforms. The ICS played a crucial role in British administration, managing revenue collection and maintaining control over various regions.

 

(e) Write a short note on the judicial administration set up in India by the British.

Answer- The British judicial system in India was a complex one. They established a hierarchy of courts, with lower courts handling petty matters and higher courts (like the Supreme Courts in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay) dealing with more serious offenses. While some legal reforms were introduced, the system wasn't entirely equal. Indians faced discrimination in certain cases, and the British often maintained separate legal codes for Europeans.

 

Additional Questions

1. What is a monopoly of trade?

A monopoly of trade means that only one company or organization is allowed to trade with a particular country or region. In this case, the British East India Company (EEIC) had a monopoly on trade with India.

 

2. Why did different European countries want to trade with India?

European countries like England, France, Holland (Netherlands), and Denmark wanted to trade with India because India was famous for its wealth and riches. India produced spices, textiles, cotton, silk, and other valuable goods that were in high demand in Europe.

 

3. How did the British East India Company (EEIC) establish a monopoly of trade in India?

The EEIC established a monopoly of trade in India through a combination of factors:

• Royal charter: The EEIC received a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I in 1600, giving it the exclusive right to trade with the East Indies for 15 years. This charter was renewed several times.
• Military power: The EEIC built up its own army and navy, which allowed it to control trade routes and protect its factories in India.
• Political alliances: The EEIC made alliances with some Indian rulers, which gave them an advantage over other European companies.
• The decline of the Mughal Empire: The Mughal Empire, which had previously ruled most of India, weakened in the 18th century. This created a power vacuum that the EEIC was able to exploit.

 

4. Who was Robert Clive? What was his role in establishing British power in India?

Robert Clive was a British military leader who led the EEIC to victory in the Battle of Plassey (1757). This battle is considered a turning point in Indian history, as it marked the beginning of British political and military dominance in India.

 

5. What were the Carnatic Wars?

The Carnatic Wars were a series of wars fought between the British and French East India Companies in the 18th century, mainly in southern India (the Carnatic region). The British emerged victorious from these wars, further solidifying their position in India.

 

6. How did the Battle of Plassey change the power dynamics in India?

The Battle of Plassey resulted in a decisive victory for the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah. This led to:

• The weakening of the Mughal Empire's control over Bengal.
• The establishment of the EEIC's political power in Bengal.
• The beginning of British rule in India.

 

7. What were the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse?

• Subsidiary Alliance: A system implemented by the British where Indian rulers became subordinate allies. The rulers had to maintain British troops stationed within their territories and accept British political advice. In return, the British promised to protect them from external threats.
• Doctrine of Lapse: A policy used by the British to annex Indian princely states. The British claimed that if a ruler died without a legitimate heir, the British could take over the territory.

 

8. How did the British administer the territories they controlled in India?

The British established a centralized administration in India, which included:

• Army: A large army recruited from both Britain and India.
• Civil Service: A bureaucratic system staffed by British officials.
• Police: A police force to maintain law and order.
• Judiciary: A court system based on British law.

 

9. What were some of the positive and negative effects of British rule in India?

Positive effects:

• Development of infrastructure (roads, railways, canals)
• Introduction of a uniform system of administration
• Spread of Western education

Negative effects:

• Exploitation of Indian resources
• Deindustrialization of India
• Poverty and famines
• Discrimination against Indians

 

10. Do you think the British would have been defeated in the Battle of Plassey if Mir Jafar had not betrayed the Nawab of Bengal? Why or why not?

It is difficult to say for certain whether the British would have lost the Battle of Plassey without Mir Jafar's betrayal. The British army was well-trained and disciplined, while the Nawab's army was not. However, Mir Jafar's defection significantly weakened the Nawab's forces and ensured a British victory.

 

Values and Life Skills

Do you agree that the British would have been defeated in the Battle of Plassey if Mir Jafar had not betrayed the nawab of Bengal? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer- The outcome of the Battle of Plassey would have likely been much different, but a clear-cut British defeat is not certain. Here's why:

• Mir Jafar's Influence: Mir Jafar's defection significantly weakened the Nawab's army. He withheld a large portion of his troops from actively fighting the British and possibly even sabotaged their strategies. This lack of a unified front gave the British a significant advantage.
• British Military Superiority: Even without Mir Jafar's betrayal, the British had certain advantages. Their forces were well-drilled and equipped with superior firepower, including cannons and muskets. The Nawab's army, while larger, might not have been as well-trained or equipped.
• Leadership: Robert Clive, the British commander, was a brilliant strategist who took advantage of the monsoon rains to damage the Nawab's gunpowder supplies, hindering their firepower.

However, factors could have swayed the battle in favor of the Nawab:

• Sheer Numbers: The Nawab's army significantly outnumbered the British. Even with Mir Jafar's defection, a determined and well-coordinated attack could have overwhelmed the British.
• Motivation: If the Nawab's forces had been more motivated and fought with greater discipline, they might have overcome the British advantages in weaponry and training.
• French Support: The French, rivals of the British, were present in Bengal and might have intervened militarily to support the Nawab if the battle had turned against the British.

In conclusion, Mir Jafar's betrayal was a crucial factor in the British victory at Plassey. However, it's difficult to say definitively that the British would have been completely defeated without it. The battle's outcome likely hinged on a combination of factors, including leadership, troop motivation, and the potential intervention of the French.

 

Understanding Skills

Find out the meaning of the term 'monopoly of trade' and write it in your notebook. Do you think it is a good practice?

Answer- A monopoly of trade refers to a situation where a single entity, like a company or government, has exclusive control over the buying and selling of a particular good or service in a specific market. This entity can dictate prices, limit supply, and eliminate competition.

Good or Bad Practice?

A monopoly of trade can have both positive and negative aspects:

Potential Benefits:

• Efficiency: A single entity might be able to streamline operations and reduce costs, potentially leading to lower prices for consumers.
• Investment: A monopoly may be more willing to invest in research and development if it knows it can reap the rewards without competition.
• Quality Control: A monopoly can potentially ensure consistent quality across its products or services.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Higher Prices: Without competition, monopolies often have the power to raise prices for consumers.
• Limited Innovation: Lack of competition can stifle innovation as the monopoly has no pressure to improve its products or services.
• Reduced Choice: Consumers may have fewer options or varieties of products to choose from.
• Reduced Economic Activity: Monopolies can limit opportunities for new businesses to enter the market and stifle overall economic growth.

Overall, a monopoly of trade is generally considered a negative practice. It can lead to reduced consumer choice, higher prices, and less innovation. Governments often implement regulations to prevent monopolies from forming or to control their behaviour.