Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Gseb Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 Notes Rise of British Rule In India
India was a center of economic, cultural, and religious inheritance from ancient times, attracting people from different nations.
The demand for Indian spices, muslin, silk cloth, indigo, etc. in European countries led to trade between India and Europe.
The conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 by Turkish Muslims closed the sea route through Constantinople, compelling Europeans to discover a new sea route.
Vasco-da-Gama discovered the sea route to India in 1498 A.D., which opened the doors for Europeans to come to India for trade.
The Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, and English East India Company arrived in India for trade and established their trade centers in different regions.
The British East India Company established its first trade center in Surat in 1613 A.D.
Mumbai became the British East India Company’s headquarters in 1687 A.D.
The French East India Company arrived in India for trade in 1668 A.D. and set up their trade centers in different regions.
Between 1746 and 1763, there were three Mysore Wars between the French and British East India Companies in India, which led to the expansion of the British East India Company.
At the end of the battle for power, the Portuguese were left with Diu, Daman, and Goa, while the French had their trade centers at Chandranagar, Mahe, Karaikal, and Pondicherry. The Dutch had to leave forever.
Siraj-ud-Daula was ruling over Bengal and had opponents due to his impulsive nature.
The British East India Company built a fortress around the trade centre in Kolkata without permission, which was destroyed by the Nawab.
Robert Clive led a small army to Bengal to help the Kolkata trade centre, but realized they could not defeat the Nawab’s army.
A conspiracy was planned with Mir Jafar and Seth Amichand to defeat the Nawab, and a war was declared at Plassey on the pretext of the Nawab harassing the people.
Mir Jafar lost the battle, and the Company gained control over 24 Parganas and made Mir Jafar the Nawab of Bengal.
The Company dethroned Mir Jafar and made Mir Qasim the Nawab, but he proved to be more ambitious and was removed, and Mir Jafar was made the Nawab again.
Mir Qasim joined hands with the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal emperor ShahAlam to fight the Company unitedly and declared war.
The East India Company fought against the united army at Buxar in 1764 and won, gaining the Diwani rights to Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
The Battle of Plassey in 1757 laid the foundation of the Company’s rule in India.
Regulating Act of 1773 made Governor of Bengal the Governor General and brought all Company’s trade and political activities under direct control.
Warren Hastings became the first Governor General and faced the First Maratha War and Second Mysore War.
Cornwallis became Governor General and faced the Third Mysore War with Tipu Sultan, which was won with the help of Marathas and Nizam.
Sir John Shore became Governor General but East India Company’s fame declined under his tenure.
Wellesley became Governor General and introduced the Subsidiary Alliance System, which expanded the Company’s rule and was a major reason for the Fourth Mysore War with Tipu Sultan.
Hastings fought wars with Nepal and Pindharas and established the Company’s supremacy during the Third Maratha War.
William Bentinck was a liberal Governor General who believed in a more liberal approach towards different states.
The English government passed the Regulating Act in 1773 which made the Governor of Bengal the Governor General and brought all trade and political activities of the East India Company under his control.
Warren Hastings was the first Governor General and fought the First Maratha War and Second Mysore War.
Cornwallis succeeded Hastings and fought the Third Mysore War with Tipu Sultan.
Wellesley introduced the Subsidiary Alliance System to expand the rule of the East India Company and annexed many provinces.
Bentinck was a liberal Governor General who believed in a non-imperialist policy.
Dalhousie adopted the Policy of Annexation and introduced reforms such as the first railway line, wireless system, and English education.
The British rule and empire expanded in India, but dissatisfaction led to the first struggle for independence in 1857.
India became a producer of raw material for England and a market for British goods during the Company rule.
Bengal was an economic powerhouse before the Dual Power Policy, which gave the British power without responsibility and the Nawab responsibility without power.
Unfair revenue collection policy made Indian peasants debtors and unfair taxes were imposed on Indian cloth industries, causing their collapse.
British traders adopted deceitful practices to ruin prosperous Indian industries and forced weavers to sign contracts under the threat of punishment.
Indian artisans became poor and unemployed.
Indian villages became dependent and poor under the Company rule.
First railway line and steamer service between India and England was started during the Company rule.
Development of ports in Mumbai, Madras and Kolkata also took place.
Development of newspapers led to the spirit of freedom of speech and thought among people.
Certain wrong social customs prevalent during this time were Sati System, female infanticide, child marriage.
Role of stalwarts like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Durgaram Mehta and Behramji Malbari instrumental in getting laws passed to abolish these customs with the help of Britishers
Demand for people with knowledge of English due to anglicisation of the administrative framework
English education began to be imparted in India due to Lord Macaulay’s endeavours
Universities were established in Mumbai, Madras and Kolkata as recommended by Charles Wood
Development of a whole class of people with knowledge of English, who demanded social reforms and gave momentum to the process of reforms.
East India Company came to India for trade and prosperity
Company rule had both good and bad results in various fields
Company policy aimed at making England prosperous at the cost of India
Reforms made in the administration by the Company were indirectly beneficial for India
British rule brought about changes in social, economic and cultural fields in India
British rule led to the development of railways, ports, and English education in India
Unfair revenue collection policies and taxes by the Company ruined Indian industries and made peasants debtors
British rule led to the demand for social reforms and the emergence of a class of people with knowledge of English
The British rule in India ultimately led to the demand for independence and the first struggle for independence in 1857 A.D.
