Expansion of British Rule in India - Intro + PAP

Question 1

How was Britain’s position in india prior to expansion?

Answer 1

1.Britain became one of the most prominent powers in India by the mid-18th century
a. Defeated the dutch, danish and the Portuguese
b. Won over the French in the Anglo-Carnatic Wars (3 Wars)
2. Bengal was one of the first regions they got control over
a. Battle of Plassey and Buxar
b. Given Diwani rights
3. A governor was placed in charge of the British territories in India
a. The first governor general was Warren Hastings

Question 2

What was the policy of peaceful annexation?

Answer 2

The Policy of Peaceful Annexation was a method used by the british to annex indian powers cheaply and quickly.

Question 3

Why did the British opt for the policy of peaceful annexation?

Answer 3

1. Wars were expensive
2. They couldn’t fight wars with all Indian powers
3. Hence, they opted for peaceful takeovers and would only go to war under unavoidable circumstances.

Question 4

What is the subsidiary alliance? Describe it.

Answer 4

Subsidiary alliance -
The Subsidiary Alliance system, introduced by Lord Richard Wellesley, Governor-General of Bengal from 1798 to 1805, was a strategic policy to establish British dominance in India.Under this system, the British promised military protection to Indian rulers against other powers in exchange for several benefits.

Question 5

What happened under the subsidiary alliance?

Answer 5

Under this alliance the British promised to protect Indian rulers. In exchange:

 a. British troops would be stationed in the ruler’s territory.
b. A British official called the resident would be posted at the court of the Indian ruler.
c. British permission would be required for carrying out war or forming alliances with other states.
d. The British would be acknowledged as paramount powers and the Indian rulers had to accept their supremacy.
e. They were also given land by some of the Indian rulers. 
f. The first rulers to accept this were the Nawab of Awadh and Nizam of Hyderabad, who gave the British land in exchange for protection.

Question 6

What was the doctrine of lapse?

Answer 6

Lord Dalhousie introduced the policy of Doctrine of Lapse (1848-56).

Under this system, a region would come under British control if a ruler died without a natural male heir. The British decided that adopted heirs would not be allowed to become rulers. States like Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur were annexed through the Doctrine of Lapse.

Question 7

What was the ‘Conquest on account of Misrule’ policy? Give an example

Answer 7

Under the policy of Doctrine of Lapse, the British also annexed states on the grounds of misrule, where if the British believed a ruler was handling the kingdom properly, the British would take control.

Awadh was one such state, where the ruler, Wajid Ali Shah, was dethroned and exiled to Metiabruz in Calcutta. Awadh held significant importance to the British, and Lord Dalhousie famously referred to it as a “cherry that will drop into our mouths one day,” .

Question 8

What were the benefits of the policy of peaceful annexation for the British?

Answer 8

1. The British were able to expand their territories
2. Maintain a large army without any expenses
3. Control many states without fighting a war
4. Indian rulers lost their independence, had to part with valuable lands and make large payments to the British