‘The power of the Company army was the most significant cause of the increasing British presence in India in the early 19th century’ HFDYA ?

Question 1

‘The power of the Company army was the most significant cause of the increasing British presence in India in the early 19th century’ HFDYA ?

Answer 1

1. Power of EIC army most important
2. Political Vacuum
3. Changing role of EIC

Question 2

P1 - Power of EIC Army - Most Important

Answer 2

By 1820, 200,000 bigger than most European powers
Recruited local sepoys to fight for EIC army
1757 EIC was victorious in Battle of Plassey which gained them an important hold in Bengal and removed French from this area

Strength was crucial to ensure local leaders signed treated
Military presence aided tax collection, territory expansion
Help removed French

Question 3

P2 Political Vacuum after 1707

Answer 3

Following Aurangzeb’s death (1707) - the Mughal Empire began to fall;
- Weak successors/ Overstretch of the rule made it hard to administrate
Nawabs lacked central power which needed for protection- British
In return for military protection, EIC granted power/ land, increasing presence

The British needed a strong military in order to offer the Nawabs protection from rival nawabs.

Question 4

P3 - Changing the EIC Business model

Answer 4

1813 Charter Act - Ended the company’s monopoly on trade (except on tea and china)
This severely reduced the Company’s income.

Needed new source of income–> taxes
Needed new land to raise taxes, had to increase army to achieve this, needed more taxes to pay for army
Increased their presence

however
Ability to use armies increased the role as tax collector
Without the strong army, the EIC would have been unable to expand its territory and effectively collect taxes.