India Act of 1784 [14]

Question 1

What was the Pitt’s India Act of 1784, and how did it impact British expansion?

Answer 1

• The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 established British parliamentary control over the East India Company (EIC).
• It created the position of Governor General (Lord Cornwallis in 1786), who had greater powers in war, revenue, and diplomacy.
• The EIC transformed from a trading company to a sovereign body under British rule, allowing the British government to directly govern India and expand beyond Bengal.

Question 2

How did the Permanent Settlement of 1793 contribute to British expansion?

Answer 2

• The Permanent Settlement, introduced by Lord Cornwallis, made zamindars (landowners) responsible for tax collection, securing the EIC’s financial interests.
• By 1793, the British collected about 10% of all revenue, making Bengal the wealthiest province.
• This financial stability strengthened the British army and facilitated further territorial expansion.

Question 3

What was the Subsidiary Alliance, and how did it help the British expand?

Answer 3

• Introduced by Lord Wellesley in 1798, the Subsidiary Alliance required Indian rulers to accept British military protection in exchange for a British resident adviser and financial contributions.

In 1798, the Nizam of Hyderabad was the first to be accepted, followed by Oudh, Mysore, Delhi, and the Marathas.

• This policy allowed the British to extend control without direct military costs

Question 4

How did the British defeat Tipu Sultan and annex Mysore?

Answer 4

• In 1799, Tipu Sultan sought French support against the British, alarming Governor General Lord Wellesley.
• The British launched the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, swiftly defeating Tipu Sultan, who was killed on May 4, 1799.
• Mysore was then annexed, strengthening British control in South India.

Question 5

How did the British gain control over the Marathas and Delhi?

Answer 5

• By 1801, the Nawab of Sindh accepted British control, and in 1802, Peshwa Baji Rao-II was defeated.
• Several Maratha states surrendered by 1803.
• After defeating the Marathas, the British occupied Delhi in 1803, shifting the Mughal royal family from the Red Fort to Qutab Sahib, further consolidating British rule.

Question 6

How did the British annex Sindh in 1843?

Answer 6

• The British, aiming to restore prestige after losses in Afghanistan, provoked the Amir of Sindh in 1841.
• When the Amir attacked British resident Charles Napier, the British retaliated, broke the treaty, and annexed Sindh in 1843.

Question 7

How did the British annex Punjab in 1849?

Answer 7

• After the death of Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh, internal chaos in the Sikh court allowed the British to provoke conflict.
• Rival Sikh chiefs attacked the British, giving them an excuse to break the treaty and invade.
• The Treaty of Lahore (1846) weakened Sikh power, and in 1849, Punjab and the North-West Frontier (NWF) were fully annexed.

Question 8

Why was the Pitt’s India Act of 1784 the most important factor in British expansion?

Answer 8

• Pitt’s India Act laid the foundation for British control by establishing direct government oversight of the EIC, allowing the long-term exploitation of India’s resources.

It enabled further policies, such as the Permanent Settlement, Subsidiary Alliances, and military campaigns, making it the key factor in British expansion beyond Bengal.