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Expansion of British Power in India - Coggle Diagram
Expansion of British Power in India
BRITISH STRATEGIC POLICIES
Company in 1773 was major contender for supreme power in India
realized that wars were not always feasible, expensive, added severe strain on resources, devised strategic policies to help eliminate rivals and establish all-India empire, wars only when peaceful ways failed
policy based on two-pronged strategy of (peaceful annexation) (military conquests) (annexation under maladministration or misgovernment)
The Subsidiary
disadvantages for Indian Rulers
lost their independence, virtually became puppets
payment of huge subsidies, heavy drain on resources, decay of states
administration collapsed, used as excuse for annexing misgovernment
fully protected by the British and lost interest in welfare of people and neglected them since no longer afraid of revolts, people suffered miseries under irresponsible and oppressive rulers
aided the British in subjugating the powerful kingdom of Marathas.
Conditions
British troops were permanently placed in territory of subsidiary state who would pay for maintenance in cash or kind (ceding part of territory)
had to keep British official (Resident) at his court, could not employ any Europeans (except British) in his service or dismiss those who were already there, could not form alliance or declare war without the permission
would acknowledge British Company as paramount power.
The Subsidiary
Alliance system perfected by Lord Wellesley (1797 - 1805)
Indian ruler whose security was threatened entered into alliance with British
advantages for British
maintained large armies at expense of Indian rulers.
acquired valuable territories as subsidiary payment, increase in resources, expansion of empire
influence of European rivals was excluded from courts of the Indian rulers, controlled foreign policy of the subsidiary states.
THE MARATHAS
The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) = major turning point in Indian history
defeat of Mughals and Marathas at hands of Afghan ruler, Ahmad Shah Abdali, = disastrous for the country, India drained and fragmented.
Maratha empire broke up into five independent states, power of Peshwa declined (former head of Maratha empire) Gaekwad of Baroda in Gujarat, Bhonsle of Nagpur in Berar, Sindhias of Gwalior and Holkars of Indore. Maharashtra under the Peshwa, based in Poona.
Marathas controlled most of western and central India, made remarkable recovery after Third Battle of Panipat.
British took 43 years (1775-1818) and three wars to bring Marathas under their control.