India P1: To What Extent did the British control India in 1829? Flashcards
3 areas India is divided into and the languages and cultures of the area:
Indo Gangetic Plane, Himalayas, Southern Plateau (trading ports)
-Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist
-Six languages and over 200 dialects.
Bringing EIC under Parliamentary Control:
-After EIC victory over territory at the Battle of Plassey, the British government attempted to take control of political functions of the company but this was hard to do - Acts in 1773, 1784 and 1786
(-1773 was regulating act which created council of 5 in Calcutta with a parliament majority of 3 and introduced crown nominated governors,
-1784 was creation of Board of Control were made up of members of the cabinet who would oversee the political functions, 1786 - governor general could in special circumstances overrule the council)
-1786 - EIC became a regularised subsidiary to the Crown (no longer autonomous)
Charter Act 1813 and its impact:
Renewed Charter for 20 more years but removed the monopoly on trade (except for tea which was removed in charter act 1833) and also had provisions for education of Indians by missionaries.
-EIC had to find new sources of income so became involved in tax collection of British territories due to collapse of Mughal Empire - led to aggressive territorial acquisition so by 1818 they had full control of Indo Gangetic Plain
-By 1857, they also had control of North Eastern and North Western provinces on top of their 3 presidencies.
EIC: Structure, territory
-3 private armies - one for each presidency: Madras, Bengal, and Bombay.
-Nabobs: Official from Mughal regime who made huge private fortunes from EIC but their poor management led the British Parliament to take over.
-The private armies meant local rulers had to comply with the EIC about tax collection especially after this became the company’s main route for profit.
Charter Act 1833:
-completely ended company’s commercial activities and reorganised the admin system.
Role of the Governor:
-Elected to serve 5 year term.
-Decided on by the crown as it was elected by the council of 4.
-other presidencies could not make war or accept peace without approval of the Governor in Bengal.
-Powers strengthened in 1784 act and 1786.
-Commander in chief of these provinces and the military.
-Still subject to Board of Control in London but because of slow communications they often acted autonomously.
Initially the governor was to coordinate treaties with local rulers but then became the rule of the whole territory.
Size of EIC armies:
Number was about 200k by 1820.
-White regiments and sepoy/ local regiments
Role of Company Army:
-Larger than most European states.
-By mid 18th century parliament was sending some troops as backup.
-Sepoys recruited from castes that were viewed as most warlike
-Around 50k European and 220k sepoys.
-Presensce ensured local rulers signed tax deals and alliances to protect from other rulers.
-Officers trained in Surrey.
-Soldiers trained extensively as they were promised frequent battle compared to normal army which was in relative calm.
-1829 - 1853, the company fought several battles in Afghanistan, Sind and Punjab regions and then turned focus to north west regions as there was a fear of Russian invasion.
Battles of Company Army:
-Disaster in Afghanistan from 1838-42 “Auckland’s Folly” which cost 20000 lives and cost £15 million.
-Sind annexed in 1843 but conquering Punjab took most of 1840s and was ended in 1849.
(This led British soldiers to admire the Sikh warriors which was repaid during the rebellion by their support for the British)
The EIC armies were able to manipulate local tensions to ensure their desired outcome.
Role of Bengal:
-most important presidency following gov. of India act 1833.
-developed by lord Cornwallis who also developed code of regulations which divided the land into districts which then were taxed under a collector.
-Legal admin was placed in the hands of Judges and magistrates who were supervised by regional courts of appeal.
-Bengal army was 2x the size of the other 2 armies and recruited from higher castes.
