To what extent did the British control India in 1829? Flashcards
What was the EIC?
A joint stock company
When was the EIC set up?
1600
Why did Britain want to trade in India?
To challenge the Dutch
What was the role of the governors?
Nominated by a company court of directors to serve a 5 year term
Who was the governors subject to the approval of?
The council of 4 who were crown appointments
Who was the governor of Bengal overseen by?
The board of control in London
What did the governor of Bengal do?
Ran the administration and legislation of all territory in India
When was William Bentnick governor?
1828-1835
When was Lord Auckland governor?
1836-1842
When was Lord Ellenborough governor?
1842-1844
When was Henry Harding governor?
1844-1848
When was Dalhouise governor?
1848-1856
When was Viscount Canning governor?
1856-1858
When was the regulating act?
1777
What did the regulating act do?
Created a governing council of 5
2 Company members
3 were nominated by parliament
What was the act of 1784?
EIC was subordinate to the crown in all its political functions
What happened to the presidencies under the act of 1784?
Presidencies could not make war or accept peace from an India prince without approval of gov of Bengal
What was the act of 1786?
Enabled governor general to override his council
What did the EIC trade?
Cotton and silk
Spices
Porcelain
Tea
Later on opium
What % of British exports went to India in 1900
45%
How did the EIC trade?
Made alliances with local princes
Purchased land
Recruited troops to protect presidencies
What were the three presidency armies?
Bengal, Bombay and madras
When did the EIC become dominant in India?
After the Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar
When was the Battle of Plassey?
1757
When was the Battle of Buxar?
1764
What was the Diwani?
The right to gather tax and custom duties in Bengal
When was The Diwani proposed?
Under the Treaty of Allahabad
When was the Treaty of Allahbad?
1765
Where did revenue come from in India?
Land tax
How many British men died in the first year of them being in India?
2/3
What happened when men returned from India?
1/3 returned 35+ and wealthy
What % of MPs were Nabobs in 1760?
10%
What are Nabobs?
Rich english men who make money in India
How did local rulers protect themselves?
Local rulers signed treaties with the EIC to protect themselves
How many troops were there in 1720?
5000 troops
How many troops were there in 1796?
200,000 troops
In 1857 how many European soldiers were there vs Indian soldiers?
45,522 European soldiers vs 277,756 Indian soldiers
How did EIC run India
EIC troops stationed in territory
EIC princes paid maintenance costs
No other treaties or alliances were allowed
Could not dismiss or appoint offices
EIC could annexe territory
When was the Bengal famine?
1769-1770
What caused the Bengal famine?
Bad weather led to harvest failure
How many died in the Bengal famine?
10 million
Who dominated India before EIC?
Mughal emporer
How was each state ruled by 1829?
Each state was ruled by an Indian ruler as a form of indirect ruler under the British
What was the caste system?
Caste system divided the Hindus into hierarchal groups
How was land divided in 1829?
Land was divided into districts under a collector and were supervised by the board of revenue
Who was legal administration in the hands of?
Local judges and magistrates
Who were the magistrates and local judges supervised?
Regional courts of appeal
How did English men respond to the culture?
Married Indian women and had anglo-indian children
How was religion treated at first?
Encouraged respect of religion
When was the charter act?
1813
What was the charter act of 1813?
Renewed EIC charter for another 20 years
What did the 1813 charter remove?
Monopoly on India trade with the exception of ea
What did the 1813 charter open India up to?
Christian missionaries
What did the 1833 act end?
EIC commercial activities completely
