Notes on British Establishment in India

Introduction

• Overview of the British establishment in India during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Focus on the European powers' entry into India and their rivalry.

Arrival of Europeans

• Discovery of sea route via the Cape of Good Hope leads to European trading companies entering India.
• Initial entry as traders, later indulging in local politics and establishing colonies.

Early European Powers in India

1. Portuguese

   • Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498; established trading stations.
   • Francis de Almeida introduced blue water policy for naval supremacy.
   • Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510, becoming the capital of Portuguese settlements.
   • Decline of Portuguese power by the end of the 16th century.

2. Dutch

   • Dutch East India Company established in 1602, emerged as dominant trade power in the 17th century.
   • Established settlements in Masuli Patnam and Nagapattinam.
   • Anglo-Dutch rivalry led to English dominance in India.

3. English

   • English East India Company established in 1600.
   • Sir Thomas Roe obtained firman from Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1612 to establish trading factory.
   • Key cities developed: Madras (1639), Bombay (1668), Calcutta (1690).

4. French

   • French East India Company established in 1664, with first factory in Surat.
   • Established Pondicherry in 1673.

5. Danish

   • First factory in Trankebar in 1620, later settled at Serampore.

Anglo-French Rivalry and Regional Politics

• Decline of Mughal Empire post-Aurangzeb (1707) opened space for English and French to consolidate power.
• Carnatic Wars influenced by European conflicts and local politics.
  1. First Carnatic War (1746-1748)
     • Resulted from the Austrian War of Succession in Europe.
     • Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) temporarily ended hostilities.
  2. Second Carnatic War (1749-1754)
     • Led to increased English influence in southern India.
     • Treaty of Pondicherry concluded the war.
  3. Third Carnatic War (1756-1763)
     • Part of the Seven Years' War, resulting in British dominance over French interests in India.

Key Battles

1. Battle of Plassey (1757)
   • Key event marking the beginning of British political power in India.
   • English East India Company defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula due to internal betrayal.
2. Battle of Buxar (1764)
   • British victory established dominance over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
   • Led to the establishment of a dual system of administration in Bengal.

British Expansion Post-Battle of Buxar

Wars with Mysore

1. First Mysore War (1767-1769)
   • British defeated by Hyder Ali, leading to Treaty of Madras.
2. Second Mysore War (1780-1784)
   • Ongoing conflicts, peace signed with Treaty of Mangalore.
3. Third Mysore War (1790-1792)
   • British victory leading to the defeat of Tipu Sultan.
   • Treaty of Seringapatam ceded territories to British.

Maratha Wars

1. First Maratha War (1775-1776)
   • Resulted in the Treaty of Salbai, maintaining status quo.
2. Second Maratha War (1803-1805)
   • Indecisive, led to peace with Holkar.
3. Third Maratha War (1817-1818)
   • British defeat of Peshwa and other chiefs, establishing direct control.

Expansion into Punjab and Sindh

• First Sikh War (1845-1846)
  • Resulted in Treaty of Lahore, British control over Jammu and Kashmir.
• Second Sikh War (1848-1849)
  • British annexation of Punjab.

Doctrine of Lapse and Final Annexations

• Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse led to annexation of states without natural heirs.
• Significant territories annexed included Satara and Awadh (1856).

Conclusion

• By 1856, most of the Indian subcontinent was under British control except Punjab and Sindh.
• The British exercised both direct rule and control through puppet rulers in various regions.