In the late 18th century, the East India Company won the Battle of Buxar but began to weaken.
The company's default threatened the British Empire's wealth and power.
Indian alliances (Marathas, Sultan Tipu, Nizam of Hyderabad) prepared to fight the British.
Comparison with American states fighting the British under George Washington.
Emergence of the Mysore Empire
Strong challenges began in 1767 with the rise of the Mysore Empire under Hyder Ali.
Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan, sought to expand their empire and modernize their army.
They received support from the French, who opposed the British in both American and Indian colonies.
First Anglo-Mysore War
In 1767, the First Anglo-Mysore War began.
Mysore initially had the upper hand, attacking British forts, including Madras.
Hyder Ali's surprise attack led to a peace agreement (Treaty of Madras) in 1769, but it eventually fell apart due to mutual hostility and lack of support from the British against the Marathas.
Bengal Famine and Its Consequences
Following the First Anglo-Mysore War, Bengal faced a famine (1769) leading to millions of deaths due to drought and British mismanagement.
The East India Company profited from the famine while hoarding grain and oppressing the local population.
The famine created backlash in Britain, leading to concerns over the Company's power and ethical governance.
The Company's Default
By 1772, the East India Company went bankrupt due to famine and loss of trade.
The stock price plummeted, leading to a wider financial crisis affecting banks across Europe.
The British Parliament intervened with a bailout of £1.4 million and established the Regulating Act to maintain control over the Company.
Regulating Act of 1773
The Act appointed Warren Hastings as Governor-General and enforced checks on the Company's power.
The Company's financial situation stabilized, and the situation in Bengal improved with the onset of rains.
Impact on America
To recover from financial losses, Britain imposed a tea tax on American colonies, leading to the Boston Tea Party and eventually the American War of Independence (1776).
The rebellion was in part fueled by the Company's monopolistic practices and rising tensions due to taxation without representation.
Political Changes in India
Post-American independence, British focus shifted to securing India.
The alliance between the Maratha Empire, Mysore, and the Nizam disintegrated, leaving India fragmented.
Lord Cornwallis was sent to India to suppress Tipu Sultan following his defeat in America.
Conclusion
The lecture highlights the complexities of colonial power struggles in India and America.
The next episode will explore the downfall of Sultan Tipu and the resistance from other Indian powers against the British.