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British Empire > British India EQ1: To what extent did the British control India in 1829? > Flashcards

British India EQ1: To what extent did the British control India in 1829? Flashcards

1
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

Why did the British Parliament pass a series of Acts on the EIC?

A

EIC was near bankruptcy in 1770s

they wanted to ensure the financial solvency of the EIC

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2
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

What did these Acts intend to do? Did they achieve this?

A
  • gov wanted the EIC’s control of political and administrative matters
  • wanted to leave EIC in charge of commercial interests

no, it proved impossible in practice to divide the functions

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3
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

When did the Company become a regularised subsidiary of the Crown?

A

from 1786

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4
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

Where did the EIC seek new incomes from?

A

civil administrations and tax collections of British India territories

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5
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

How did the collapse of Mughal Empire affect the EIC?

A

it left a power vacuum in the subcontinent

the EIC stepped into it

acted as a self-funding agent of imperialism for British gov

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6
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

What were the 3 presidnecies of the EIC

A

Madras
Bombay
Bengal

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7
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

How and where did these 3 presidencies grow from?

A

grew out of territorial expansion from Company’s original trading posts
and factories in Calcutta

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8
Q

ROLE OF EIC AND GOVERNOR GENERAL

What was the most important presidency? Give 5 reasons why.

A

Bengal

  1. After Gov of India Act 1833, Bengal’s president was the governor general of all British India
  2. Lord Wallis’ Code of Regulations was the framework of Indian government land distribution for 2 centuries (land in 2 districts, landholders settled with rights and fixed tax liabilities to collectors, collectors supervised by Board of Revenue at Calcutta)
  3. the army of Bengal presidency was of much higher importance than other two armies (2 x size, recruited from the higher castes than other 2 armies, Fort William was central)
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9
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
What are the 7 arguments that state EIC was more in control of India in 1829?

A
  1. EIC had successfully sought new sources of income
  2. Increasing power of the Governor under the Crown
  3. Their aggressive territorial acquisition in 1800s
  4. Power of EIC army
  5. Importance of Bengal presidency
  6. EIC nabobs made the most vast amounts of money
  7. Growing importance of Indian trade and Far East
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10
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 1 - How had EIC sought new sources of income?

A

After reduction of trading/ending of monopoly on trade,
they changed function.
e.g. now involved with local administration and tax collection
(from Hindu and Musli overlords)
(private army helped out this role)

bulk of EIC revenues came from land taxes -
they had acquired right to collect land taxes in 1772

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11
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 2 - How did the power of the governor general grow under the Crown?

A
  • consolidation of power in 2 presidencies (Bengal was most important)
  • 1st GG was Warren Hastings under new system 1774-1785
  • other presidents in EIC presidencies could not
    1. make war
    2. accept peace from an Indian prince
    without the approval of GG in Bengal
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12
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 2 - How did the power of the governor general grow under the Crown?
What did the 1784 Act do?

A

strengthened executive power of the governor

  • first to experience this was Lord Cornwallis
  • became commander-in-chief of Indian military forces
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13
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 2 - How did the power of the governor general grow under the Crown?
What did the 1786 Act do?

A

Enabled governors to override their council if necessary

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14
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 2 - How did the power of the governor general grow under the Crown?
What did the 1833 Gov of India Act do?

A

mental GG of Bnegal became concurrent GG of India
allowed Governors to become more autonomous due to:
- slow communications which meant they actually exercised huge powers

e.g. William Bentinck was responsible for foreign policy of territories and legislative control of all territories

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15
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 3 - How did the EIC aggressively acquire land in 1880s?

A

1818, they acquired:

  • Indo-Gangetic Plain
  • Sutlej River

1839-57, they acquire:

  • Bombay, Calcutta, Madras
  • north-eastern, north-western provinces
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16
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 4 - How was the EIC army powerful?

A
  • had 3 private armies

- from 1757 - Clive trained, organised and disciplined them (e.g. use canon better than Indians)

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17
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 4 - How was the EIC army powerful?
Name 4 successful battles.

A

Plassey 1757
Buxar 1764
2nd Maratha war, 1802-1803
3rd Maratha war, 1817-1818

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18
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 5 - How was the Bengal presidency important?

A
  • controlled all territory owned by EIC
  • Lord Cornwallis began the new system of land tenure/ownership with his Code of regulations
    land divided into to 2 districts
    landholders given rights
    but they had fixed tax liabilities to collectors in return
    collectors were supervised by the Board of Revenue at Calcutta

legal administration placed in hands of magistrates and judges
they were supervised by regional courts of appeal

Bengal army was superior in power to other 2 presidency armies
2x the size of the other 2 armies
Fort William was central
contrasting to other castes, Bengal army recruited from the higher castes

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19
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 6 - How did EIC nabobs make vast amounts of money?

A

10% of MPs were nabobs
they had significant influence over British policy

most famous one is Clive

20
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - EIC
Argument 7 - How was trade growing in importance?

A

Indian trade gave Britain cotton and spices

Far East trade gave a lot of revenue due to opium trade with China

21
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - EIC
What are the 6 arguments that state the EIC was not that in control of India?

A
  1. EIC was a regularised subsidiary of the Crown
  2. power of Governor under Crown was more regulated
  3. EIC army did not always defeat its opponents in battle
  4. corruption in EIC
  5. their monopoly on trade ended
22
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - EIC
Argument 1 - When and why was the EIC a regularised subsidiary of the Crown?

A

1786

British Parl passed Acts to ensure the financial solvency of the EIC (as it was near bankruptcy in 1770s)

gov wanted political and administrative functions
they wanted to leave the EIC with commercial interests

this proved impossible in practice to divide functions

so they made it a regularised subsidiary

23
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - EIC
Argument 2 - How was the GG power more regulated under the Crown?

A
  1. from 1773 - GG appointment was subject to the approval by the council of Four (Crown appointments)
  2. 1833 Gov of India Act
    - meant the GG of Bengal became the concurrent GG of India
    - positions was filled by Board of Directors of EIC but was subject to approval by the sovereign
    - although more autonomous, they were still technically subject to the Crown
    - GG of Bengal were technically overseen by Board of Control in London
    - Britain was responsible for all administration and legislation under British Indian control
24
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - EIC
Argument 3 - Explain how the EIC army did not always defeat opponents?

A

Examples:

  • Loss of Calcutta 1756
  • 1st Maratha War 1775-1782
  • EIC faced serious challenged from the forces of both Indian rulers and its colonial rivals
  • Sepoys were not always reliable
    e. g. Vellore Mutiny 1806
25
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - EIC
Argument 4 - How was there corruption in the EIC?

A

there were enormous private fortunes made by Company nabobs

however, poor management and corruption meant the EIC would be easier to take over by the British gov

26
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - EIC
Argument 5 - Why did the EIC’s monopoly on trade end? What did the Charter Act 1813 do?

A

it was under attack because of politicians influenced by free trade

Charter Act 1813:

  • reduced EIC’s monopoly
  • British gov renewed the EIC’s charter from another 20 years
  • removed its monopoly on Indian trade
  • kept the monopoly on tea trade in China
27
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - EIC
Argument 5 - How did EIC’s monopoly on trade reduce…What did the Charter Act 1833 do?

A

Charter Act 1833:

completely ended the commercial monopoly

28
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
What are the 5 arguments that state the British government had more control on British India?

A
  1. Increasing involving of British gov in India through laws/relationship with EIC
  2. Policies of GG’s that supported British expansion
  3. GG more regularised by Crown
  4. EIC’s own corruption/bankruptcy
29
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 1 - How did British gov increasing involve themselves in India/establish a relationship with the EIC? What did the 1773 Regulating Act do?

A

Acts of Parliament 1773:

  • created governing council of 5 in Calcutta (2 from EIC, 3 from Parliament)
  • appointment of GG made subject to approval of Council of 4 nominated by the Crown
30
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 1 - Increasing involvement
What did the 1774 EIC Act do?

A

1774 EIC Act:
- brought EIC under direct British gov control
- made EIC subordinate to the Crown in all political functions
(e.g. Board of Control was set up to achieve this)
(members of BoC included:
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for India
4 privy councillors appointed by teh King

31
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 1 - Increasing involvement
What did the 1786 Act do?

A

1786 Act:

- further established that governor general appointments were ultimately at discretion of the Crown

32
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 1 - Increasing involvement
What did the 1813 Charter Act do?

A

1813 Charter Act:

  • increased control of gov
  • ended EIC monopoly on trade in India
  • missionaries were permitted to preach/teach English within the EIC’s territory
33
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 1 - Increasing involvement
What did the 1833 Charter Act do?

A

1833 Charter Act:

  • ended the EIC’s commercial activities
  • completely reorganised the administrative system of the British territories
34
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 2 - How did the policies of GG’s help the British influence spread?

A
  • from 1784, 1 governor from government itself and 1 from Indian office in London
  • Cornwallis Code and permanent settlement (after 1798) increase British influence
  • Mornington’s policy of subsidiary alliance allowed Britain to expand its influence and territory through annexation
    e. g. 140+ alliances by 1830
35
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 3 - How were GG’s more regularised by the Crown?

A

1773 - appointment of GGs subject to approval by Council of Four
who were Crown appointments

1833 - Gov of India Act
meant GG of Bengal was general of India
- positions of gov filled by Board of Directors of EIC, still subject to approval by the sovereign
- GG in Bengal overseen by Board of Control in London

36
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments for control - British Gov
Argument 4 - How did the EIC’s own corruption and bankruptcy increase British gov control?

A
  1. corruption
    nabobs fortunes corruption when poor management ensued
  2. bankruptcy
    after nearly going bankrupt in 1770s, the British began to roll out financial solvency Acts
    this extended the gov’s control over the EIC
37
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - British Gov
What are the arguments that state the British gov was not more in control in India?

A
  1. aims to increase involvement were not necessarily strong
  2. increased British influence led to increased Indian fears about British intentions
  3. increasing power of the Governor under the Crown
  4. proved impossible to divide functions in EIC
38
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - British Gov
Argument 1 - Why were the British gov’s aims to increase involvement not necessarily strong?

A

1784 Act:
asserted sovereignty

but EIC remained largely responsible for the day-to-day administration

when in 1858, British gov more directly took over government of India
e.g. the number of government employees in India was very small

39
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - British Gov
Argument 2 - What were the 3 Indian fears/resentment about British influence?

A

1813 Charter Act permitting missionaries:

  • raised fears of Christianisation (e.g. Vellore Mutiny 1808)
  • 100,000 rupee annual grant for education provision was seen as thin end of British wedge

1813 - Non-intervention policy ended

  • Christian’s trying to ‘civilise’ India
  • Indians began to complain about disdainful attitudes of British commanders

development of civil service by EIC to oversee tax collection was also resented

40
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - British Gov
Argument 3 - How the powers of the EIC GG increase?

A
  • centralisation of power within 3 presidencies (e.g. Bengal had primacy)
  • other presidents in EIC terriotry could not make war or accept peace from Indian princes without the approval of GG
  • 1784 Act: strengthened executive power of the governor
    (e. g. he was appointed commander-in-chief of Indian military forces)
  • 1786 Act: allowed governors to override their council if deemed necessary
  • 1833 Gov of India Act: meant the GG of Bengal became the GG of India
    (e. g. slow communications allowed them to exercise huge powers in practise)
    e. g. Bentinck was responsible for foreign policy of territories and legislative control of all` territory held by EIC
41
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - local Indian rulers
What are the 4 arguments that state local Indian rulers were not in control in India?

A
  1. divisions
  2. lacked unity
  3. Indian political institutions were fragile
  4. Indian rulers often easily bribed by EIC
42
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - local Indian rulers
Argument 1 - Why were they divided?

A

Muslim Mughals vs Hindu Maratha

because of betrayal of Nawab Siraj by Mir Jatar in 1757

43
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - local Indian rulers
Argument 2 - Why did they lack unity?

A

despite strength in numbers,
they seriously lacked in discipline and resilience

this may be due to the failures of the Mansabdari system

44
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - local Indian rulers
Argument 3 - Why were the Indian political institutions fragile?

A

Karholi Angre’s efforts to maintain Indian naval supremacy were undone by his sons

45
Q

THE DIVISION OF POWER IN INDIA, FROM 1829
arguments against control - local Indian rulers
Argument 4 - How were the Indian rulers too easily bribed by the EIC?

A

they would grant concessions to the British during the Pune succession crisis 1775-76

this meant the Mughal Empire went into decline after 1707
- from 1761, it faced the rival of the Maratha federation

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