Modern Indian History Class 01
Discussion
regarding syllabus of modern Indian history (5:07 PM)
- The decline of the Mughals.
- Rise of Regional powers:
- Autonomous states like Rajputs,
Mysore, and Travancore.
- Rebel states like Marathas, Jats,
Sikhs, Afghans, etc.
- Successor states
like Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh, etc.
- Why did Marathas not become an
all-Indian power?
- How did the British become an
All-India power?
- Rise of Indian national movement.
Ist Battle of
Panipat, 1526 (5:53 PM)
- It was fought between Zahiruddin
Babur Vs Ibrahim Lodhi(the Lodhi dynasty was the last empire of the Delhi
sultanate).
- Babur was in search of a kingdom
for himself and this battle was the culmination of conflicts between Babur
and Lodhi.
- It was the first major battle
where gunpowder and field artillery(small bronze canon) was used, which is
why Babur won despite a small army.
- Therefore Babur founded the Mughal
empire in 1526.
2nd battle of
Panipat, 1556 (6:22 PM)
- Fought between Akbar (13 years
old, the army was led by his guardian Bairam Khan) and Hemchandra
Vikramaditya of Rewari or Hemu (the most important minister and military
general of the Suri dynasty).
- Babar was succeeded by Humayun who
was defeated by Afghan invader Shershah Suri(set up the rule of the Suri
dynasty, 1540-55).
- In 1555, Humayun defeated Suris
but then died in 1556, and now Hemu recaptured power.
- Therefore the 2nd battle of
Panipat was fought by Akbar to establish the Mughal empire in India.
Mughal emperor chronology
(6:48 PM)
- Babar (1526-30).
- Humayun (1530-40)
- Akbar (1556-1605).
- Jahangir (1605-1627).
- Sahajhan (1628-58).
- Arungbzeb (1658-1707).
- Bahadur Shah (1707-1712).
- Jahandar Shah (1712-1713).
- Farruksiyar (1713-19).
- Muhammad Shah (1719-1748).
- Ahmed Shah Bahadur (1748-1754).
- Alamgir-II (1754-59).
- Shah Alam (1760-1806).
- Akbar-II (1806-1837).
- Bahadur Shah Jafar (1837-1857).
Mansabdari
system (7:11 PM)
- It was the military bureaucracy
system of the Mughals established by the Akbar.
- That is officials had dual functions
of civil and military functions.
- Mansab is a post/office and
Mansabdar is the holder or occupant of Mansabs.
- There were two types of Mansbdars
on basis of the mode of salary.
- Naqadi Mansabdar:
- They were paid a salary in cash.
- Jagirdar Mansabdar:
- They were paid in the form of
allocating a Jagir.
- The land revenue from the Jagirs
(land) went to the Jagirdar.
- Jagir is a land whose land revenue
goes to Jagirdar and Jagirdar is the holder of Jagir.
- Jagir was of two types:
- Tankha Jagirs:
- These jagirs could be transferred
from one to another Mansabdar(could be taken away from the Mansabdar by
the king).
- All of the revenue goes to
Mansabdar.
- Vatan Jagirs:
- The word Vatan means hereditary.
- It was given permanently to a
person and becomes heredity Jagir.
- It is non-transferable.
- 10% of land revenue from Vatan
Jagir went to the king as tribute/Peshkash.
- As here king gave up the right to
take away Jagir, therefore needs to be compensated and tribute acted as
Vatan Jagirdar recognizing the sovereign authority of the king.
- The criteria for becoming
Mansabdar was lineage(family background).
- Every Mansabdar had a dual rank.
- Zat:
- It was a personal Rank.
- Sawar:
- It is the number of Horsemen a
Mansabdar is required to Maintain for the king.
- For example- Zat=3000 and
Sawar=1500 then net rank=4500.
- The emoluments of Mansabadar were
equal to his salary and allowance for the maintenance of the army as per
his Sawar.
- More important nobles were
Jagirdar Mansabdar and less important ones were Naqadi Mansabdars.
- Vatan Jagirs were given to those
who were very powerful Mansabdars.
- Corrupt Mansabadar would not
maintain an army as per Sawar, therefore would try to make personal, money
to be ideally spent on the army or over-extracted land revenue from Jagir.
- Mughal emperors are dependent on
Mansabdars for the Maintainance of the army.
- therefore in the Mansabdari
system, a give-and-take relationship existed between the king and
Mansabdar.
- The king gave Mansab and Jagir and
in return Mansabdar gave his loyalty and maintained the army of the king.
- Therefore there existed personal
loyalty and if the king does not give the desired Mansabs and Jagirs then
it may lead to disloyalty towards the king.
The topic of
the next class: Khalisa land and Land revenue system.
Modern Indian History Class 02
Khalisa land
(5:17 PM)
- The land of the kingdom was Jagirs
(transferable and non-transferable or Tankha and Vatan).
- Khalisa land was the royal land
and the land revenue of this land went to King.
The land revenue
system of the Mughals (5:28 PM)
- Zamindars - Zamindars collected Land revenue
and had police duties and in return for their service, they got a
commission.
- Therefore Zamindar was not the
owner of the land from which he collected Land revenue.
- Zamindar had Vatan(hereditary)
right of revenue collection.
- He would collect Land revenue from
others' land but would also pay land revenue from his lands( which were
called Milkiyat).
- Nankar lands - These were the land of Zamindars
which were declared tax-free/revenue-free in return for providing service
of revenue collection.
- Primary Zamindars - They collected land revenue from
peasants/ryots/ actual cultivators.
- He also collected Abwab(additional
levies) over and above the land revenue from peasants.
- Ryots paid land revenue as per the
recorded % in Pattas(documents), therefore Patta system prevented
over-extraction.
- Intermediary zamindars - They collected land revenue from
the Primary Zamindars.
- Then passed it on to Jagirdars or
the state.
- Peasants were of 2 kinds:
- Khudkasht - Those with occupancy rights.
- They could not be removed from the
land they cultivated.
- They kept occupancy rights as
customary/traditional rights since they had cultivated a particular piece
of land continuously for a long time.
- Pahikashts - They were landless, rightless
peasants.
- They did not have occupant rights
as were Vagrant peasants, that is cultivated different lands in different
seasons.
Ijaradari
system (6:18 PM)
- Here the right to collect the
revenue was auctioned to the highest bidder.
- Those who won the auction were
called Ijaradars.
- They were men of money like
merchants and moneylenders, who were outsiders to the traditional rural
economy.
- They would collect land revenue
but may also collect taxes on shopkeepers and merchants, over and above
for winning the auction.
- He may pay revenue in advance to
Jagirdar or the state and later collect it from the areas or may pay
partially in advance and rest later.
- If he failed to submit the agreed
amount then the right to collect revenue could be reauctioned.
- Jahandar Shah introduced the
Ijaradari system and it grew during Aurangzeb and spread rapidly in the
18th century.
- It was introduced by Jahandar shah
(1712-13) in Punjab and Bengal, later in Awadh and Hyderabad.
- Farukksiyar introduced it even in
Khalisha land.
- Under the British, it was
introduced as a Farming system in 1772 in Bengal and Ijaradar was called a
revenue farmer who won the right to collect land revenue in the auction.
- The Ijaradari system was
introduced when there was a shortfall in revenue collection or when the
Jagirdar of the state wanted to maximize land revenue collection.
The decline of
Mughals (6:53 PM)
- Role of Aurangzeb - Continues warfare- Mughal empire
reached its territorial peak, however, seeds of decline were also sown,
during Aurangzeb's reign.
- Aurangzeb engaged in continuous
warfare for roughly 40 years, which drained resources for the Mughal
empire due to the high cost of war.
- These wars also hurt overland
trade due to a decline in production and law and order instability.
- These wars also increased the
economic burden on Mansabdars, who were required to maintain an army for
the emperor, therefore wars contributed to the economic decline of the
Mughals.
- Aurangzeb wanted to capture the
whole of Deccan and annexed Golconda in 1687 and Bijapur in 1685(The two
autonomous Muslim kingdoms).
- However he failed to defeat the
Marathas convincingly, and by 1705 Marathas began winning after 1707, they
reversed most territorial gains of Aurangzeb in 1st half of the 18th
century.
- Therefore in the end these wars
proved futile.
- Therefore Marathas became reasons
for the military and territorial decline of the Mughals.
- The religiously decisive policy of
Aurangzeb:
- They alienated the mass, for
example, the application of Jizya on non-muslim(an additional tax) and not
preparing temples, and reducing the allocation of land to temples.
- He also demolished some important
Hindu temples.
- Aurangzeb executed important
leaders which contributed to the alienation of the masses.
- For example, the 9th Guru
Tegbahadur for Sikhs was executed in 1675, and Sambhaji(elder son of
Shivaji) was executed after 3 weeks of torture in 1689.
- Both also refused conversion to
Islam.
- Institutional failure/governance
failure:
- Impersonal loyalty could not develop
in the Mansabdari system, which was the core of the Mughal system.
- Therefore what existed was
personal loyalty to the king which is a Parton(Mughal
emperor)-client(Mansabdars) relationship, that is a give-and-take
relationship.
- Where Patron gave Mansabs and
Jagirs and in return, clients gave loyalty and an army.
- Post-Aurangzeb, weak Mughal
emperors failed to maintain the balance of power in the Mughal court among
Mansabdars.
- Therefore failed to keep
Mandabdars under control.
- If the king was unable to satisfy
Mansabdars with desired Jagirs and Mansabs, then disloyalty among
Mansabdars took root.
The topic of
the next class: The decline of Mughals to continue.
Modern Indian History Class 03
The decline of
the Mughals (continued) (5:05 PM)
- Military weakness:
- Mughal state was a military state
(not a nation-state, a nation is people who feel while the country is a
territory, the state is an organization that manages the affairs of the
nation and country, a state/organization created by the people/nation is
nation-state).
- Poor military due to a lack of
technological and organizational reforms
- Weak war commanders especially
after Aurangzeb.
- Military corruption example of
non-maintenance of the army as per Sawar due to disaffection and the
Jagirdari crisis.
- Fractional-ism (group politics):
- Post-Aurangzeb, there were
continuous succession disputes and factionalism increased.
- This also led to competition
between different groups of Mansabdars, like:
- Irani Group- Shias and had Persian
origin, Humayun took the help of the Persians for recapturing power in
1555, thus their presence as Mansabdars.
- Turrani group- from the same
origin as the Mughals.
- Hindustani groups- converted
Indian Muslims.
- Deccani groups- nobles of Golconda
and Bijapur who were made Mansabdars by Aurangzeb, after defeating
Golconda in 1687 and Bijapur in 1685.
- Hindus- mainly Rajputs.
- The able Mansabdars acted
selfishly and instead of strengthening the central authority, they focused
on carving out their principalities.
Jagirdari
crisis of 18th century (5:53 PM)
- Aurangzeb annexed Golconda
in 1687 and Bijapur in 1685 and then nobles of these kingdoms were coopted
as Mansabdars and came to be knowns as the Deccani group
- However, Aurangzeb converted most
of the land in these kingdoms into the Khalisa land as he wanted to fund
his future warfare against Marathas.
- Therefore the number of Mansabdars
while land under Jagirdari did not.
- Emperor post-Aurangzeb appointed
more and more Mansabdars for political reasons, that is to win the support
of different groups of Mansabdars, either to come to power or to stay in
power.
- There was also inequity among
Mandabaras as 5% of Mansabdars controlled 61% of Jagirdari lands,
therefore there was insecurity among smaller Mansabdars.
- In the 18th century, there was
inflation in luxurious goods due to high exports to Europe by the European
trading companies, as a wazir Nizam tried but failed to convince the elite
Mansabdars to redistribution of Jagirs.
- Now the smaller Mansabars found it
hard to maintain the lifestyle, adding to insecurity.
- Impact of the Jagirdari crisis of
the 18th century:
- Many Mansabdar stayed Jagir-less
for years.
- Insecurity among Jagiradrs due to
the frequent transfer of jagirs to other Mansabdars, which is the
insecurity of tenure of holding jagir.
- Therefore now there was increased
oppression of ryots and primary zamindars as Mansabdars wanted to extract
as much Land revenue as possible from jagirs.
- Now there is a greater spread of
the Ijaradari system as Mansabdar Jagirdar tried to maximize his
earnings
- Due to insecurity of tenure no
incentive for Jagirdar-Mansabdar to invest in the productivity of the
Jagirs, therefore hurting the income of ryots.
- Peasant revolts in the 18th
century were the product of the Jagirdari crisis and they were led by
Zamindars, who were traditional leaders of rural society
- For example, the Jat kingdom set
up by Churaman Jat (a Zamindar) was a product of peasant revolt, therefore
Jagirdari crisis hurt political stability.
- The Jagirdari crisis led to
military corruption by Mansabdars, therefore contributing to the military
weakness.
- Group politics increased as
Mansabdars competed for Jagirs even more.
- The Mughal state was a military
state and when the military weakened the state weakened.
The proof of
the decline of the Mughal empire (7:17 PM)
- Jahandar Shah came to power after
executing the father of Farukksiyar who came to power with the help of the
Sayyid brothers of the Hindustani group.
- But then Farukksiyar wanted to
free himself of control of the Sayyid brothers, therefore planning to get
rid of the Sayyid brothers, who then aligned with Marathas to execute
Farruksiyar in 1719 and placed Mohammad Shah in power as puppet emperor.
- Nizam-Ul-Mulk of the Turani group
allied with the Irani group and defeated the Sayyid brothers and restored
the status of Muhammad Shah.
- From 1720-24 Nizam served as
wazir.
- Mughal post-Aurangzeb are called
Later Mughals who were weak rulers with weak personalities and not
interested in administration.
- For Example, Muhammad Shah came to
be known as Rangeela as he spent the most time in leisure, detached from
political and administrative issues.
- Beginning in 1705 Marathas began
defeating the Mughals.
- In 1719 they were successful in
placing Muhammad Shah as puppet ruler and extracted some gains.
- In 1737, Peshwa Baji Rao plundered
Delhi and kept Muhammad Shah captive temporarily.
- Then in 1738 Marathas defeated a
large Mughal army led by Nizam.
- And then in 1739, they signed a
treaty of Bhopal where they extracted Subha of Malwa and sovereignty over
all territory between river Chambal and Narmada.
- Invasion of Nadir shah:
- Reasons for invasion:
- In Afghanistan Nadir shah's
opponents were given protection by Mughals in Mughal-controlled territory.
- His messenger was held captive in
Delhi.
- Nadir shah wanted to plunder
Indian wealth.
- Reasons for Nadir shah's win:
- Mughals were military weak example
Marthas defeated a large Mughal army in 1738.
- lack of military
reforms(technology and organization)
- Military corruption by Mansabdars
due to the Jagirdari crisis.
- Sadat Ali Khan (Nawab of Awadh)
switched sides to fight alongside Nadir shah when she was not made Mir
Bakshi and the Mansab was given to Nizam, therefore factionalism played a
role.
- The better military leadership of
Nadir shah
- The Decisive was the battle of Karnal,
in 1739 after which Nadir shah became emperor of India for 2 months and
Muhammad Shah was taken as a prisoner.
- Sadat Ali Khan committed suicide
when insulted post-victory by Nadir Shah.
The topic for
the next class: Dictation of Impact of the Nadir Shah invasion.
Modern Indian History Class 04
Impact of Nadir
shah invasion (5:10 PM)
- Huge loss of prestige for the
Mughals.
- Muhammad Shah lost the respect of
Mansabdars as did not stand up for his dignity despite insults by Nadir
Shah.
- Lost prestige among people as
Nadir Shah massacred 2 lakh, civilians in Delhi, therefore people realized
that the Mughals cannot protect them.
- Loss of military prestige as it
was a huge military defeat, Soon after a defeat by Marathas in 1738.
- Huge economic loss and now the Mughals
could not maintain a strong army.
- Nadir shah took away Peacock's
throne that had Kohinoor in it, a huge loot of elephants and workers, and
a huge wealth worth 100 crores.
- Therefore Mansabdars were also
drained of wealth as they had to contribute to the loot.
- It is not a coincidence that Nizam
left Delhi permanently for Hyderabad in 1740 (also fear of Marathas west
of Hyderabad).
- Now chances of foreign invasion
increased (1748-1st Afghan invasion by Abdali, 1756- 2nd Afghan invasion
by Abdali, 1799-3rd Afgan invasion by Zaman Shah).
More Proofs of
the decline of the Mughals(5.22 PM)
- 1st Afghan invasion failed,
however, the fear of future invasion remained, therefore in 1752 Mughals
came under the protection of Marathas, who were now the top power in India.
- Shahu recognized the authority of
the Mughal emperor, accepted a Mansab, and promised to maintain the army
as Mansabdars.
- Alamgir-II was a puppet brought to
power by Marathas by interfering in succession disputes.
- Therefore by the mid-18th century
Marathas were top power along with strong autonomous states, that is
successor states of Bengal, Hyderabad, and Awadh, Rebel states like
Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and Afghans, and Already autonomous states like
Rajput, Mysore, and Travancore.
- While the Mughal emperor's
authority was limited to Delhi and Agra.
Successor
States (5:51 PM)
- They included Bengal(Murshid Quli
Khan), Hyderabad(Nizam-Ul-Mulk), and Awadh(Sadat Ali Khan).
- Within the Mughal empire, certain
powerful nobles established themself as autonomous power centres by
carving out successor states within the Mughal empire, that is they ruled
autonomously but never formally broke ties with the Mughal empire.
- This was because of personal
ambitions in Delhi politics, that is the desire for greater influence
outside their principalities by holding positions like Wazir, Mir Bakshi,
etc.
- They also wanted the legitimacy of
the Mughal empire for better trade with the rest of the Mughal empire and
the potential of military help from the rest of the Mughal empire.
- These nobles after getting
appointed as governors consolidated power by ending the system of checks
and balances, therefore leading to over-concentration of power.
- They ensured they ensured that
their relatives and loyalists were appointed to important positions/Mansabs
like Dewan, Deputy-Subadar, War commander, and other important positions
- For example, Sadat Ali Khan got
his son-in-law Safdarjung appointed as Deputy-Subadar and Murshid Quli
Khan was already Dewan when he was appointed as Subadar/Nawab/Governor of
Bengal Subha.
- They gathered the support of
economically powerful sections like intermediary Zamindars,
Ijaradars/revenue farmers, merchants, moneylenders, and bankers by:
- Not harassing them.
- Not applying arbitrary taxes.
- By proving law and order stability
that was good for trade.
- By Providing security of property.
- Distributing Mansabs which was a
new feature as traditionally men of money were not made Msabdars and
nobles based on lineage dominated the Mansabdari system traditionally.
- Therefore there was a rise of men
of money in successor states, for example:
- By 1727, 15 intermediary Zamindars
were responsible for 50% of land revenue collection.
- The House of Jagat Seth became a
strong financial power and the Dutch describe Jagat Seth as the richest
banker in the world.
- Jagat Seth controlled the royal
mint, acted as a banker for the nawab(loaned money to nawab), and financed
trade all across India(loaned money to merchants).
- In Hyderabad, the core feature of
the Mansabdari system changed as men of money now dominated the Mansabdari
system.
- They converted Tankha Jagir into
Vatan Jagir to get the support of pre-existing Mansabdars, example in
Hyderabad core feature of Tankha Jagir vanished as many were converted
into Vatan Jagir.
- They established effective revenue
administration and this increased their monetary power.
- For example, Murshid Quli Khan was
known for its effective revenue administration and did detailed surveys
for land revenue assessment(that is identify the soil productivity,
irrigation available, crops sown, past trends of land revenue collection,
and area under production) before demanding land revenue.
- Then they began ruling
autonomously as distributed Mansabs and Jagirs without permission or
reference to the Mughal emperor, and behaved autonomously in important
matters like matters of war and peace, signing treaties with neighbours,
domestic policies, etc.
- They gradually reduced financial
reporting of revenue collected to Delhi, that is books of account were not
sent.
- They also stopped sending revenue
regularly to Delhi and later also reduced the amount of revenue and
finally stop it.
- Finally, these nobles established
their dynastic rule, and therefore Mughal emperor lost power in the
successor state, and the appointment of Mansabdars is important.
- The Mughal emperor lost power to
act as a patron and therefore even the Parton-client relationship that led
to personal loyalty instead of impersonal loyalty also ended as the client
itself became Parton.
- However, power was not centralized
and was shared between different segments, Nawab/subadar and men of money,
and traditional Masabdars.
Rebel states
(7:27 PM)
- Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and
Afghans.
- Marathas:
- Maratha kingdom was founded by
Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1674( declared himself Chhatrapati, legally
independent from Mughal unlike successor states In 2nd half of the 17th
century by fighting against Bijapur and Aurangzeb).
- Periods in Maratha Polity:
- 1680-1719- period of instability
after the death of Shivaji in 1680.
- 1719-1761- period of stability and
growth.
- 1761 onwards- period of decline
with a temporary revival in the 1770s.
- 1774 onwards- British influence in
Maratha polity begins.
- 1680 onwards there was turmoil due
to the death of Shivaji and the continuous warfare of Aurangzeb.
- After the release of Shahu in
1707, there was a civil war.
- During the civil war, Deshmukh and
Maratha Sardars frequently switched sides between Tarabahi, Shahu, and
Mughals.
- The important role of 6th Peshwa
Balaji Vishwanath was a very able leader and helped Shahu gather the
support of powerful sections, support of a strong Brahmin banking family.
- Support of new independent Maratha
Sardars, therefore by 1719 Shahu emerged victorious leading to a period of
stability and growth.
- The dispute with Shivaji-II was
settled via the treaty of Warna, in 1731 where he was given Kolhapur.
- Peshwa was PM/Wazir and was one of
the 8 ministers in the council of Chhatrapati.
- Maratha sardars:
- Scindia of Gwalior.
- Bhonsle of Nagpur.
- Holkar of Indore.
- Gaekwad of Baroda.
The topic of
the next class: The family tree of Marathas.
Modern Indian History Class 05
Maratha
continued (5:04 PM)
- Military rise of Marathas:
- In 1719, Marathas allied with the
Sayyid brothers of the Hindustani group to remove Farukksiyar and place
Muhammad Shah as a puppet ruler.
- In return they got:
- Independent status in Maharashtra
(Shahu recognized the authority of the Mughal emperor, therefore
independent here means autonomous like successor state, that is not
legally but in practice).
- Chauth(1/4th of revenue) of Malwa
and Gujarat.
- Chauth and Serdeshmukhi (1/10th of
the revenue) of 6 Mughal provinces of Deccan.
- However, Nizam got rid of the
Sayyid brothers and restored the status of Mohammad shah, and then became
governor of Hyderabad in 1724.
- Therefore Marathas lost the gains
made.
- In 1727-28, Baji Rao sent an army
to Gujarat and extracted the right to 60% of the revenue of Gujarat from
its Mughal governor.
- In 1728 Baji Rao defeated
Hyderabad and regained Chauth and Serdeshmukhi of Deccan.
- Chauth is 1/4th of the revenue and
Serdeshmukhi is 1/10th of the revenue.
- Chauth was a tool of foreign
policy and only applied to non-Maratha territory in return for Maratha
protection, that is the protected state gave 1/4th of revenue to prevent
future Maratha attacks on itself.
- When the protected state could not
pay Chauth anymore it lost protection and was then annexed by Marathas.
- Serdeshmukhi was introduced by
Chhatrapati Shivaji, Deshmukh gave 1/10th of revenue as a symbol of
recognizing his authority as Serdeshmukh (head of Deshmukh).
- Serdeshmukhi can be applied to
Maratha and non-Maratha territories.
- In 1731 Marathas defeated a joint
attack by nizam and the local chiefs of Gujarat.
- In 1729 captured Malwa and reached
Rajasthan.
- In 1736 defeated Portuguese and
Ethiopian Muslims at the Konkan coast, this signified the naval strength
of the Marathas.
- In 1737 Bajirao plundered Delhi
and kept Mohammad Fhah temporarily captive.
- In 1738 Marathas defeated a large
Mughal army led by Nizam and then signed the treaty of Bhopal in 1739
where they got Suba of Malwa and sovereignty over all territory between
river Chambal and Narmada.
- During 1745-51, Raghuji Bhonsle of
Nagpur regularly attacked Bengal Suba and forced Alivardi Khan to give
Orissa and Chauth of Bengal and Bihar.
- Chauth was paid until 1757 after
which EIC controlled Bengal Suba and Marathas lost Orissa to the
British/EIC in the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war in 1803-05.
- In 1751, Nana Sahib attacked Hyderabad
territory in Konkan and signed the Treaty of Bhalke, where Salabat Jung
gave Khandesh to Marathas.
- From 1751 onwards Marathas
regularly attacked Rajputs, they extracted annual tributes and interfered
in succession but could never conclusively defeat Rajputs, therefore did
not try for annexation.
- In 1752 Mughals came under Maratha
protection, due to fear of Afghan invasions(Ist Afghan invasion in 1748,
2nd in 1756-61, and 3rd in 1799).
- In 1754 Marathas interfered in
Mughal succession and placed Alamgir-II as puppet emperor.
- In 1765 Marathas defeated Mysore
and extracted tribute.
- In 1766 Hyderabad gave
northern Circars to EIC in return for Military protection from Marathas
and Mysore.
- In 1795 Battle of Kharda was the
last battle between the Marathas and Hyderabad, where the Marathas emerged
victorious, EIC stayed neutral as it also had a military alliance with the
Marathas since the treaty of Salbai, in 1782.
- In 1798 Hyderabad became the 1st
state to sign a subsidiary/subordinate alliance with EIC where it lost
control over foreign policy and military to EIC and return got military
protection of EIC.
- Marathas failed to defeat Sikhs.
- Therefore by the mid-18th century
Marthas emerged as the top power in India and it was the 3rd battle of
Panipat that halted their rise and thereafter their decline began.
3rd battle of
Panipat, 1761 (6:56 PM)
- It was fought between Ahmed Shah
Abdali/Durrani(he was the founder of Modern Afghanistan and of the Durrani
empire, a trusted commander of Nadir Shah, declared himself king of
Afghanistan after Nadir Shah's death, began 1st Afgan invasion in 1748
that failed, began 2nd Afgan invasion that concluded in 3rd battle
of Panipat).
- He was supported by Siuja-Ud Duala
(Nawab of Awadh who wanted to weaken Marathas).
- Najib-ud-Dula(ruler of
Rohilkhandd).
- Farrukabad under Bangash Pathan.
- Jats under Surajmal temporarily
supported Marathas.
- Mughals (only technically) as
Mughals came under Maratha protection due to fear of Afgan invasion.
- Thus mainly only Marathas were on
the other side.
- Reasons for the battle:
- The conflict between 2 rising
neighbouring powers, that is Marathas in India and Abdali in Afghanistan.
- In 1756 Afghan raided northern
India and Abdali appointed his son Timur Shah as governor of Punjab.
- Nana saheb sent his brother who
defeated and removed Timur from Lahor, this was the peak of the Maratha
empire.
- Now nana saheb thought of making
his son Vishwas Rao emperor of India.
- Those Mughals who were
anti-Maratha had earlier requested the help of Abdali.
- Attacks by Abdali culminated in
the 3rd battle of Panipat.
- Why Abdali won?
- A stronger alliance by Abdali-
Awadh supported Abdai as it wanted to weaken the Marathas who were its
rivals, therefore declined to support Marathas.
- Rohillas and Bangash Pathans
expected greater influence in north India if Afghani Abdali won.
- Sikhs, Rajputs, and Jats stayed
neutral due to constant plundering in the past by Marathas, therefore
Marthas failed to convince other Indian powers.
- A higher number of soldiers (60000
vs 50000).
- Disunity between Maratha Sardars,
for example, Bhonsle of Nagpur didn't fight, therefore factionalism played
a role.
- The better military leadership of
Abdali.
- Abdali's forces had better
artillery, for example, horses mounted guns.
- Abdali's forces were successful in
cutting off the supply lines between Delhi and Panipat and therefore
famine-like conditions existed in the Maratha camp in Panipat with no food
for men and no fodder for horses, while Afghan supply routes stayed
functional.
- Maratha's hallmark strategy of
Guerrilla warfare was not suited for the vast plain fields of Panipat.
- Impact of loss:
- Marathas lost important leaders
like Sadashiv Rao Bhau and Viswas Rao died fighting.
- While Nana Saheb died within weeks
of the 3rd battle of Panipat.
- Now factionalism began in Maratha
Politics leading to the weakening of central authority.
- Marathas got militarily weakened
as they lost important leaders and 50000 men.
- Abdali returned to Afghanistan
with loot as there was a revolt in his army in Afghanistan(an anti-Abdali
military general planned a coup in Afghanistan).
- Thus 3rd battle of Panipat decided
who will not rule India and not who will rule India.
- Now there was a vacuum of power at
the centre that was filled later by EIC by defeating multiple regional
wars of India one by one.
Why were so
many empires shaking battles fought in Panipat? (7:56 PM)
- Battles were not fought for the
city of Panipat but because this region was the gateway to Delhi.
- Anyone who wanted to capture Delhi
from the west had to pass through Khyber pass in Afghanistan and then
enter India via Punjab.
- For the ruler of Delhi
strategically it was best to stop the enemy at the gates, that is in this region
having Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Thanesar.
- This region had vast fields
suitable for large armies.
- This region had many warrior
classes making military recruitment easy for the army.
- The region was agriculturally
productive and close to Delhi therefore easy supplies for fighting men.
- Suitable weather for long battles.
- Muhammad of Gazni fought in
Thanesar in 1014 and his empire extended from Iran to Pakisthan by 1030.
- Ghori fought Prithaviraj in
Thanesar in 1191.
- 1st battle of Panipat led to the
end of the Delhi Sultanate and the establishment of the Mughal empire.
- 2nd battle of Panipat led to the
re-establishment of the Mughal empire.
- The battle of Karnal led to Nadir
Shah becoming emperor for 60 days.
- The 3rd battle of Panipat
prevented Maratha from becoming an all-Indian power.
The topic of
the next class: Maratha administration.
Modern Indian History Class 06
Maratha
administration (5:07 PM)
- Maratha's empire was divided into
Swarajya and Samrajya.
- After Shau, Peshwa became the
effective ruler as Sahu delegated too much power to the Peshwa.
- Shau had an adopted son.
- A treaty formally gave effective
power to Peshwa.
- Peshwas' capital was in Poona and
his secretariate was called Hazur Daftar.
- There existed a system of checks
and balances on the governor as Deshmukh/revenue collectors had dual
reporting to the governor as well the Peshwa.
- Therefore enabling Peshwa to
verify Books of accounts submitted by the governor.
- Samrajya was territory outside
Maharastra brought into the Maratha empire by Maratha Sardars.
- Therefore was controlled by
Maratha Sardars who ruled Samrajya autonomously.
- However, they did not set up
effective rules on the ground in the whole of Samarajya.
- Peshwa had a council of 12
ministers.
- Swaraj was divided into
Sarkars/provinces and the office of governor was auctioned.
- Patil/ village headman and
Deshmukh/Revenue collectors had Vatan rights.
- Patils were responsible for
executive, Police, judicial, and revenue functions at the village level.
- Therefore the concentration of
power in Patil.
- Sources of revenue were Land
revenue and taxes on trade, license fees, and Judicial proceeds in form of
Nazrana from the Victorious party and Jurmana from the losing party.
- Further to increase revenue and
peasant welfare, dams and canals were built and loans were given at cheap
interest rates.
- Also, there was effective
supervision of revenue collectors so they do not oppress peasants.
- Maratha Judiciary:
- A clear hierarchy existed from the
village panchayat up to the Peshwa and the final decision was of Peshwa.
- However, as far as possible he
respected the decision of village panchayats.
- Ancient religious texts acted as
laws example Dharmashastra.
- There was a rule of law as even
the highest authorities and men of money were punished.
- Policing was as effective as the
London police with a very good network of information collection and
existed a rule of law:
- Maratha Military:
- The major force was horse mounted
army with a focus on light cavalry, which was important for Maratha's
guerrilla warfare tactics.
- Which was a highly effective
strategy of surprising the enemy with a swift attack, therefore creating
shock and awe.
- The navy was modernized with the
help of the french(in exchange for money and Britain-France rivalry).
- Why Marathas could not establish
an all-Indian empire?
- The rise of the Peshwa at expense
of Chhatrapati increased the chances of fractionation in Martha Polity as
strong Maratha Sardars asserted their autonomy more against the Peshwa.
- The 3rd Battle of Panipat weakened
the central authority of Peshwa as Marathas lost important leaders and now
young and inexperienced Peshwas came to power, therefore increasing
factionalism
- Succession disputes increased
factionalism.
- Raghunath Rao got Narayan Rao killed
in a conspiracy and then he was himself overthrown in Barbhai Conspiracy
by Nana Fadnavis(an important minister in Peshwa's council).
- Fractionalsim led to British
interference in Martha's polity, for example:
- the 1st Anglo-Maratha war began
when Raghunath Rao went to EIC in Bombay for military help to regain
Peshwaship.
- Later the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war
began when Baji Rao-II signed a Subsidiary alliance with EIC to regain
Peshwaship after he was defeated and removed by Holkar of Indore in 1802.
- Power could not be properly
centralized as Maratha Sardars always stayed autonomous within the Maratha
empire.
- With Swarajya also local
assemblies of Vatan right holders exerted influence and pressure on
Peshwa, therefore Maratha empire was a confederacy where power was shared
between Peshwa and Maratha Sardars and proper centralized rule didn't
exist.
- In Samrajya, not all areas were
brought under effective rule by Maratha Sardars and the focus outside
Maharathra was limited to extracting Chaut and Sardeshmukhi.
- Therefore Marathas establishing
central rule over the whole of India was a distant milestone, especially
after the 3rd Battle of Panipat.
Sikh state
(7:06 PM)
- Guru Nanak dev Ji set up a Sikh
Panth around the 16th century and was a contemporary of Babur.
- Mughals began having problems with
the Sikh community and they demanded political autonomy.
- 9th Guru Teg bahadur was executed
in Delhi in 1685.
- Sikhs wanted to establish their
state in and around Anantpur in Shivalik Foothills which was under the
Shivalik hill chief.
- After this 10th Guru Govind Singh
set up a brotherhood of Khalsa in 1699, A military organization to defend
Sikh Panth from the Mughals and to achieve the goal of the Sikh state.
- The Sikh community was dominated
by Khatris(traders and Sikh gurus who came from this community) and
Jats(peasants who had a military culture and dominated the Khalsa army
whose influence increased).
- Thus it was decided there won't be
an 11th Guru and authority would lay in Guru Granth Saheb to bring parity
between the two communities.
- In 1707 after the death of
Aurangzeb, Bhadur Shah agreed to give Anantpur but then again allied with
Shivalik hill chiefs.
- In 1708 Guru Govind Singh was
murdered in a conspiracy
- Now Banda Bahadur continued the
rebellion and was able to set up his rule in and around Patiala.
- By 1715, he got defeated as Khatri
traders turned against him as trade was getting hurt due to law and order
instability due to war, some Hindu Jat Zamindars like Churaman Jat
switched sides and allied with Mughals.
- Jahandar Shah and Farruksiyar
deployed divide-and-rule tactics.
- Jahandar Shah introduced the
Izaradari system in Punjab and this attracted Khatri traders as being an
Izaradatr was financially lucrative.
- Jahandar Shah and Farruksiyar gave
Mansabs to Khatri traders who were now allied with the Mughals.
- By 1715, Banda Bahadur was
defeated and executed in 1716.
- Rule of Misls:
- After 1715, the Sikh state did not
come to an end as the Mughal empire was weak.
- Now power got decentralized among
misls and a horizontal structure of polity/ confederation came into
existence.
- Misls were kinship-based clans
headed by misls chief.
- In 1770, there were 60 misls in
Punjab with Dal Khalsa at the head with a chosen leader.
- Misls got united at the time of
war, for example during the 1st afghan, 2nd Afghan, and 3rd Afghan
invasions.
- After defeating the 3rd Afgan
invasion of Jaman shah, there was the rise of Rajit Singh of Sukerchakia
Misl, who established dominance over other misls and set himself as
maharaja of the Sikh state in 1801.
- In 1801, he conquered Lahore, and
in 1809 conquered 5 doabs and later conquered Multan and Kashmir by
removing Afghans.
- Even EIC recognized him as a
sovereign ruler of Punjab Under the Treaty of Amritsar and a military
alliance under the treaty.
- Features of the rule of Ranjit
Singh:
- Trade got boosted and there was
law and order stability.
- Financial power state as 60 % of
the land was royal land.
- Ranjit Singh maintained the
balance of power in court between the Khalsa army commander and Khatri
traders, misls chiefs, and Dogras of Jammu.
- He had an inclusive attitude
towards non-Khalsa Sikhs, therefore was culturally magnanimous
- The autonomy of villages was
respected.
The topic of
the next class: Jat kingdom
Modern Indian History Class 07
Last class
revision (5:00 PM)
Jat Kingdom of
Bharatpur (5:09 PM)
- Jats were Anti-Mughal since the
time of Jhangir and they set up the jat kingdom of Bharatpur under
Churaman Jat(1695-1721).
- This was done with help of revolts
by peasants against the oppression due to the over-extraction of Land
revenue by the Mughals, especially in the context of the Jagirdari crisis
of the 18th century
- Maharaja Surajmal consolidated
power and forced the Mughals to recognize him.
- He supported Marathas temporarily
in the 3rd battle of Panipat in 1761.
- He tried to implement military
reforms by recruiting Europeans into the army, a Mughal-like revenue
system, and removing family members from the courts.
- However, his death lead to the
decline of the Jat kingdom which at 1 point extended from Delhi in the
north to Agra in the west, Chambal in the south, and Ganga in the east.
- However, it was no Eutopia for
peasants as land revenue demand was higher than during the time of the
Mughals.
Afghans kingdom
(5:25 PM)
- Afghan kingdom in the north
(Rohilkhand and Farrukhabad).
- Afghans were wandering warlords in
north India.
- They migrated from Afghanistan to
India to India due to political instability but were unorganized politically
until the arrival of Shershah Suri in 1540.
- But again got disorganized after
the 2nd battle of Panipat in 1556 which ended the Suri dynasty's rule.
- The opportunity came with the
weakening of Mughal post-Aurangzeb
- Farrukhabad was set up as a
kingdom in the east of Delhi by Bangash Pathans in 1713 making use of
political instability in the Mughal polity.
- They named this kingdom after
Farruksiyar as a gesture of accepting the symbolic authority of the
Mughals.
- The next opportunity came during
the invasion of Nadir Shah in 1738-40 which weakened the Mughal
empire(also defeated by Marathas in 1738).
- Therefore the kingdom of
Rohilkhand was set up by Ali Mohammad Khan in 1737-38 in the Himalayan
foothills.
- In 1740 Ali Muhammad Khan was
officially recognized as governor(therefore not legally independent).
- In 1774 Suja-Ud-Dula (Nawab of
Awadh) annexed Rohilkhand with the help of EIC.
- The rest of Rohilkhand
became a princely state.
- Farrukhabad was a weak kingdom and
neighbours attacked it frequently.
- Both supported Abdali in the 3rd
battle of Panipat 1761 and Rohilla controlled from 1761-1771 when they
were defeated by Mahadji Scindia
- After Abdali returned to
Afghanistan, the Afghan kingdom's power decreased.
Already
autonomous state (6:00 PM)
- Rajputs:
- These were warrior groups who
participated in the military labour market of north India.
- Around the 16th-17h century,
Rajputs emerged as a consolidated group of 20 major clans, therefore there
existed a horizontal structure of polity.
- Local Rajput chief of each clan
ruled their respective territory.
- During Akbar, the powerful Rajput
chiefs were co-opted:
- Akbar recognized the authority of
those Rajput chiefs who were extra-powerful, therefore giving them
legitimacy over and above small Rajput chiefs.
- With the military help of the
Mughals, these Rajput chiefs consolidated power by defeating smaller
Rajput chiefs.
- They maintained the military for
the Mughal emperor as they were recognized as Mansabdars, also their lands
were recognized as Watan Jagirs, they now played important role in Delhi
politics.
- Therefore unable to defeat the
Rajputs, the Mughals coopted them and increased the military strength of
the Mughal empire.
- Also now the horizontal structure
of polity was replaced by a more vertical structure in the Rajput polity.
- Tension in relationships during
Aurangzeb:
- Not because of religion-based
rivalry rather than expansion by Mewar under Raj Singh against other
Rajput chiefs.
- Aurangzeb didn't want 1 supreme
power in Rajputana and wanted to maintain the balance of power among
Rajput chiefs.
- In 1680-81 Mewar and Marwar
revolted against Aurangzeb but failed.
- Reasons for revolt:
- Due to the death of an existing
ruler, a child ruler came to power in Marwar that lay along the important
trade route between Delhi, Agra, and Ahmedabad.
- Since Marwad was strategically
important, Aurangzeb didn't want a child ruler and interfered in
succession.
- This provided an opportunity for
Mewar to ally with Marwar against Aurengzeb.
- The revolt failed as other Rajput
chiefs didn't support it as they feared the loss of power to Mewar.
- In the 18th century with the
weakening of the Mughals, Rajput chiefs acted more independently,
especially under Swai Jai Singh of Amber who ruled Jaipur and was a
powerful entity in Delhi politics.
- 1751 onwards Rajputs were
regularly attacked by Marathas who extracted annual tributes and
interfered in succession but could not conclusively defeat Rajputs.
Mysore (7:26
PM)
- In the 16th century, Mysore was
part of the Vijayanagar empire(1336-1646) and gradually became autonomous
under the Wodeyar dynasty.
- In 1673, Mysore became a military
powerful and centralized Chikadevraja Wodeyar.
- However, by 1761, Wodeyars were
reduced to puppets by corrupt PM Nanjaraj.
- Hyder Ali:
- Hyder Ali(1761-82) was a man of
humble origin who began as a junior officer in the army and later became a
senior military general.
- In 1761, he overthrow PM Najaraj
to establish his rule.
- Hyder Ali worked with the french
to improve his military by importing technology and taking the help of
french trainers.
- The army was designed on European
models.
- The army was to be a summation of
Risalas(regiments).
- Each Risala had a commander
personally appointed by the king.
- Each Risala had a clear chain of
Command and hierarchy leading up to the king.
- Each Risala was a self-sufficient
unit as it had its weaponry, transport, and own supplies.
- Therefore a very efficient
military organization capable of swift action was built.
- Hyder Ali consolidated power by
subjugating local chiefs, Deshmukh, poligars (big landlords with
their private army who acted independently since the time Vijayanagara
empire ), etc.
- Poligars and Deshmukhs till now
were effective rulers of the countryside as they controlled land, land
revenue, and the wealth of the temples.
The topic for
the next class: Tipu sultan and the land revenue model of Hyder Ali & Tipu.
Modern Indian History Class 08
Mysore
under Hyder Ali and Tipu (5:07 PM)
- Remove intermediaries(Deshmukhs)
and introduce a direct collection of taxes by the state through state
officials who got salaries and not commissions.
- This allowed more income for the
state and low taxes for peasants as now no commission of intermediaries.
- This increased the financial
strength of the state immensely.
- Did detailed field surveys to
asses land revenue demand, therefore, preventing over-assessments.
- To maximize the land revenue
system tipu modernized the irrigation system, introduced sericulture, and
promoted crash crops.
- Land under Jagirdari was
minimized.
- Tipu protected peasants from
corruption and oppression of officials via effective supervision.
- Even Tipu's enemy accepted that
his population was the most prosperous.
- In 1793, Tipu set up a state
commercial cooperation to set up factories in and outside Mysore.
- The PSU set up 30 trading centres
in and outside Mysore and even outside India, for example in Muscat(Oman),
and Mysore began international trade in lucrative goods like sandalwood,
Pepper, rice, silk, sulfur, cardamom, etc.
- Tipu's revenue model and his
fiscal policies are also called military fiscalism as a huge amount of
wealth was generated by the state to build a strong military and in this
respect, Mysore behaved like EIC.
- Tipu sent ambassadors to France
for importing foreign technology and to build an alliance against the
British.
- Tipu introduced rockets in the
military and was used in 1799(4th Anglo-Mysore war) which EIC copied and
developed in 1806.
- However, dreams were bigger than
resources, and constant warfare with Indian neighbours and EIC drained
resources.
- This was because Mysore wanted to
dominate the whole of south India and its trade, therefore developing
rivals with Indian neighbours and EIC respectively.
- Tipu declared independence from
the Mughals formally, For example, minted coins in his name and used his
name in Khutba/Friday prayers.
- Tipu requested Farman/decree from
the ottoman empire's khalifa who was also a religious had of the Muslim
world, declaring Tipu as a ruler independent from the Mughals.
Travancore
(8:17 PM)
- Always maintained independence
from the Mughals.
- Marthanda Varma:
- The important ruler was Marthanda
Varma who by 1740 setup a strong centralized state by subjugating the
local chiefs, he did some territorial expansion and built a west-like
military with modern weapons, and in 1741 removed the Dutch from Cochin,
who were there since 1669.
- He forced EIC to trade on his
terms.
- He established a state monopoly
over the pepper trade of Malabar and later all trade on the Malabar coast.
- Trade profits were utilized for
military, agriculture, transport, and communication.
- Under Rama Varma, Travancore
became the centre of art and scholarship but declined militarily.
- In 1766 Hyder Ali attacked and
annexed Malabar and Calicut then Tipu attacked and this contributed to the
3rd Anglo-Mysore war as EIC was an ally of Travancore.
- After Rama Verma, Travancore came
under British influence.
- In 1800, a British resident was
stationed in the court.
- In 1805 Travancore signed a
subsidiary/subordinate alliance with EIC that led to EIC control over
foreign policy and military, in return for help in suppressing a revolt in
the army by Nair troops due to low salaries.
- In 1809, PM/Devan Velu Thampi led
a revolt by peasants and Nair troops against EIC, due to interference in
the domestic affairs by British residents which was crushed by EIC.
The advent of
Europeans (7:03 PM)
- Colonialism was originally
associated with settlement by foreigners, that is converting a newfound
land into a colony.
- These foreign settlers established
their domination and exploited indigenous people in the economic,
political, and cultural domains.
- colonialism implies the domination
of economic, political, social, and cultural by foreigners of indigenous
people.
- Foreigners may be in form of
foreign settlers, businesses, and foreign states or foreign institutions.
- For example post decolonization
after WW2, neo-colonialism began ex-colonies now had political
independence legally but they were still dominated and exploited by
ex-colonial powers and international institutions like IMF and the world
banks
- As these newly independent nations
were economically weak and therefore dependent on foreign aid and loans
- Which were tied with
conditionalities that prevented these nations from following independent
policies, therefore this was colonialism in a new form, Hence the name
neo-colonialism
- Imperialism is when there is the
use of the military or its threat
- In imperialism, there is usually a
loss of sovereignty and is usually done by a foreign state, therefore
empire-building via territorial annexations is a feature of imperialism
usually.
- Colonialism and imperialism are
used interchangeably.
- Old colonialism/imperialism
existed pre-industrialization of western Europe, that is pre-1870.
- Pre-1817, it was motivated by
Gold, Glory, and God.
- God represented the motive of
spreading Christianity.
- Glory represented empire building.
- Gold represented economic motives
and led to economic exploitation via loot of wealth and resources,
plantation systems, trade of lucrative crops from the colony to the rest
of the world, and the lucrative slave trade.
- Where Africans were sold as slaves
in the Americas for cheap labour in the plantation system.
The topic of
the next class: Advent of Europeans
Modern Indian History Class 09
Last class
revision(5.01 PM).
Advent of
European(5.15 PM):
- Traditionally European trade with
the east was done via the silk route(a land route to china and a spice
route a sea route to the east)
- Traders from Venice and Geneva
dominated European trade with the east and earned huge profits by selling
to the rest of Europe.
- Arabain sea part of the trade was
dominated by Arab traders.
- In 1453 Ottoman empire conquered
Constantinople and locked European trade with the east, triggering a
search for a northwest trade route to the east.
- This led to the age of discovery
in the 16th century, whereby man of the world was gradually developed and
there were advances in shipping and knowledge of geography.
- In 1492, Columbus discovered
Central America.
- In 1498, Vasco-de-Gama discovered
a route via the cape of good hope to India and reached Calicut.
- In 1500, Amerigo Vespucci
discovered south America and proved that America was a continent different
from India.
- In the early 16th century, the
Portuguese discovered a new route to China and the Philippines.
- Therefore European trade with the
east was established.
Portuguese in
India(5.50 PM):
- Trade with India was done via a
state-led corporation.
- They began their trade with south
India and set up trading centers in different parts of India, especially
coastal areas.
- They set up their main base in and
around Surat and later in Goa.
- In 1510 they captured Goa from the
kingdom of Bijapur and Bombay in 1534.
- They dominated international trade
in the east indies for 100 years with HQ in Goa.
- Since India had strong land power,
therefore Portuguese followed the policy of domination only of the high
seas/oceans, and the oceanic trade of India.
- They did not aim to build a
political empire in India.
- Portuguese dominated the high
seas(Bule water policy) as they were strong naval powers.
- They did armed trade, engaged in
piracy, and therefore the passage via oceans and allowed passage only
after payment of a license fee by other ships.
- They regularly raided Arab traders
who until now dominated Arabian sea trade and also threaten Mughal ships
forcing Mughals to give trade concessions from lower customs duties and
permission to set up factories and trading centers.
- They were religious fanatics and
engaged in forced conversions to Christianity.
- In the late 16th century, there
was the rise of 2 new naval powers- Dutch and England.
- The 1st challenge to achieving
freedom was navigation in the ocean and the 2nd to removing Portuguese
control over the oceanic trade of the east indies.
- In 1588, in a decisive battle,
Britain defeated Armada/a large Spanish naval fleet in the Atlantic Ocean,
and now Britain and the dutch could travel to the east via the Cape of
good hope.
British Vs
Portuguese(6.39 PM):
- In 1608, EIC wanted to open a
factory in Surat, therefore sending captain Hawkins to Jahangir's court,
he was given a Mansab and a Jagir but then was removed from court due to
pressure from the Portuguese.
- Therefore EIC realized that the
military defeat of the Portuguese is a must for EIC to expand its trade
with India.
- In 1612, EIC defeated the
Portuguese navy in surat and therefore was rewarded by Jahangir with a
royal Farman in 1612, which gave EIC the right to establish itself on the
west coast.
- Hence Surat factory was set up in
1612.
- To extract more concession British
government sent Thomes Roe as an ambassador and he was accepted as a
resident in Jahangir's court.
- Finally, in 1617, he was able to
extract another royal Farman where the British got the right to establish
factories in the whole of the Mughal empire and liberal trading rights.
- These angered the Portuguese and
in 1620 conflicts culminated in a major battle where the British won and
this ended Portuguese domination of international trade in India.
- In 1661, King Charles II of
England got the island of Bombay in dowry from the Portuguese.
- Therefore by the mid-17 century,
the Portuguese were restricted to Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra, and Nagar
Haveli.
British Vs
Dutch(7.09 PM):
- Dutch removed the Portuguese from
Cylon and the east indies(Indonesia).
- And now rivalry between the
British and the Dutch who fought for decades and finally by the mid-17
century British was defeated and a compromise was reached whereby the
Dutch agreed to not attack the British in India and the British left
Indonesia to the dutch.
- British stayed in Malaya and Dutch
dominated Kochin by 1669.
- The Dutch were removed from Kochin
in1741 by Marthanda Varma.
- By 1795, the complete removal of
the dutch from India by British.
English East
India Company(7.28 PM):
- It was set up on 31st December
1600 by a royal charter which was its founding document issued by Queen
Elizabeth.
- The tools given by royal charter
to EIC were:
- Monopoly over British trade with
the east indies that is with all land east of cape of good hope for 15
years.
- EIC was allowed to carry gold out
of Britain to buy eastern goods.
- The Right to wage war, acquire
territories, and administer them.
- The goal for EIC formation as per
the charter was not empire building but trade with the east to counter
dutch competition.
- Presidencies of EIC:
- Presidencies of EIC in Madras, Bombay,
and Calcutta served as regional HQ of EIC trade with south, west, and east
India respectively.
- The term presidency was given or
the status of HQ was given when these places came to have significant EIC
establishments in form of warehouses, offices, homes, etc.
- Later when EIC annexed territories
in India, they were added to respectively regional presidencies leading to
the expansion of the company's regional HQ into provinces of British
India.
- The Madras presidency was set up
in 1652.
- The Bombay presidency was set up
in 1681.
- The Calcutta presidency was set up
in 1699.
- The Governor of the presidency was
a regional manager of EIC, who initially looked mainly after the business
of EIC but once EIC became conqueror and ruler, then ruling parts of India
became his additional responsibility as the company transformed itself
into a company-state
The topic of
the next: Rise of EIC as political power.
Modern Indian History Class 10
Rise of English
East India Company as political power (5:05 PM)
- Was the conquest of India a result
of British policy?
- British arguments:
- Britain has no such policy and the
conquest of India was the product of sub-imperialism.
- Which are the result of policies
and actions and personal ambitions of senior officials of EIC like Robert
Clive (Governor of Culcutta presidency), Richard Wellesley (Governor
general of Bengal from 1798-1805), Hasting (Governor general of
Bengal,1813-23), Dalhousie(Governor-general of India, 1848-56).
- They had personal ambitions for
British polity and a personal desire for empire-building.
- Many senior EIC officials build
good political careers after they retire from EIC.
- For example, Wellesley became
Secretary of State, a cabinet member.
- In the Pitts India act of 1784,
there was a parliamentary prohibition on conquest in India.
- The goal behind the royal charter
of 1600 was trade and not empire building.
- Indian arguments:
- Yes, there was sub-imperialism in
India, however, the British state cannot escape responsibility for
imperialism in India as a tool of conquest TO EIC by the state as a
charter of EIC that was a founding document issued by the state (initially
by the crown and later by parliament)
- It gave power to EIC to wage war,
sign treaties, acquire territory, and administer them.
- EIC had the military support of
the Royal military in its military conflicts and without the royal
military EIC could not have begun the conquest of India (Battle of Plassey
1757).
- Even the 1857 revolt was crushed
with the help of the royal military.
- The state assisted EIC in setting
up and developing EIC presidencies, for example, Bombay was given an
annual rent of just 10 pounds to EIC by the crown.
- Therefore state helped EIC set up
a strong base in India leading to higher profits via trade that led to the
capability of EIC to have its big army.
- British crown, state, and
important figures in British polity benefited monetarily from EIC trade
and conquest.
- For example, 17,000 pounds were
given by EIC to the crown/monarchy in the 17th century in return for the
renewal of charters.
- In 1698, parliament auctioned the
monopoly of British trade with east the New Company as it offered a 2
million pounds loan Vs 700,000 pounds offered by EIC(In 1709 EIC and New
Company merged).
- In 1767, EIC was mandated by
parliament/state to pay 400,000 pounds/ annum to the state therefore state
wanted its share of EIC loot of Bengal after the battle of Plassey in 1757
and the battle of Buxar in 1764.
- Important figures were
shareholders of EIC, for example, many parliamentarians and Queen
Elizabeth herself.
- EIC became an important tool of
the foreign policy of Britain as EIC dominated international trade in
Britain.
- After the regulation act of 1773
and the Pitts India act of 1784, EIC affairs in India came under the
supervision and control of the British state, and the board of control
could pass binding orders to EIC.
- Now the principal servants of EIC
in India could only be appointed after the approval of the crown.
- Therefore even if imperialism was
not possible for the British state and opportunity made use of and even
created by important EIC officials in India, that is sub-imperialism, the
British state cannot escape responsibility for imperialism in India.
Events in
empire building by EIC (7:11 PM)
- EIC Vs Aurangzeb,1686:
- EIC attacked the Mughals in Bengal
as Aurangzeb's constant warfare hurt the overland trade, therefore hurting
EIC's oceanic trade.
- EIC was crushed but then forgiven
in return for 1.5 lakh rupees compensation as:
- Mughals got revenue from EIC in
form of customs duties and from Indian merchants who sold goods to EIC in
form of domestic taxes.
- Indian merchants got business from
EIC.
- The inflow of gold due to EIC
exports from India.
- Indian peasants and Artisans
benefited as EIC trade generated demands for their goods.
- In fact, in 1691, Aurangzeb issued
a Royal Farman that gave EIC the right to duty-free trade in return for
just 3000 rupees/annum.
- Role of Britain-France rivalry:
- Role of Britain-France Rivalry.
- 3 Carnatic wars, 1746-48, 1749-54,
and 1756-63.
- Battle of Plassey.
- 4th Anglo-Mysore war, 1799.
1st Carnatic
war, 1746-48 (7:50 PM)
- It was part of and the result of
the Austrian war of succession in 1740-48.
- Where Britain and France with their
allies fought in Europe, the Americas, and India.
- Dupleix was governor of the french
EIC in Pondicerry(the main base of french in India since 1664).
- He has personal ambitions of
empire-building and wanted the french EIC to dominate the
international trade of South India.
- The conflict began in 1746 after
capturing Fort Siant George in Madras, Dupleix refused to hand it over as
promised to Nawab of Carnatic.
- This led to the 1st Carnatic
1746-178 with Carnatic and British EIC Vs French EIC.
- War was won by Dupleix, however,
in North America British were victorious, and for France, its American
possession was more important.
- Therefore under the treaty of
Ax-la-Chaple 1748, France got back its possession in North America while
the British got back Madras, therefore, status-quo was maintained.
- Now Dupleix searched for the next
opportunity to increase french influence and this led to the 2nd Carnatic
war.
The topic for
the next class: 2nd Carnatic wars.
Modern Indian History Class 11
Last class revision
(5:02 PM)
- 1st Carnatic war:
- It was part of and the result of
the Austrian war of succession.
- War was won by Dupleix, however,
in North America British were victorious, and for France, its American
possession was more important.
- Therefore under the treaty of
Aix-la-Chaple 1748, France regained its possession in North America while
the British returned Madras.
2nd Carnatic
War (1749-54) (5:15 PM)
- Dupleix got an opportunity in the
form of succession disputes in Hyderabad and Carnatic.
- In Hyderabad Nasir Jung Vs
Muzaffar Jung and Carnatic Muhammad Ali Vs Chanda Shaheb.
- Dupleix supported Chanda Shaheb
and Muzaffar Jung as he wanted economic and political benefits after
putting his choice of candidate in power.
- Therefore anxious British EIC
supported Muhammad Ali and Nasir Jung.
- Dupleix and Bassy won the 1st
phase by 1751.
- While Robert Clive of British EIC
won the second phase by 1754.
- After 1st phase, Muzaffar Jung was
declared Nizam of Hyderabad and Chanda Shaheb of Arcot/Carnatic.
- Muzaffar Jung was killed on his
way from Carnatic to Hyderabad by Nawab of Kurnool as he had supported
Muzaffar Jung but now feared a breach of the promise of territory made by
Muzaffar Jung.
- Now Bussy continued to march to
Hyderabad and inflicted colossal terror.
- He put Salabat Jung in power in
Hyderabad and placed a french military for the protection of Nizam, this
military was to be paid for by Hyderabad.
- Therefore French EIC got Northern
Circars from Hyderabad.
- Other french gains after 1st
phase:
- Bussy was stationed as a french
agent in the Hyderabad court, establishing french political influence in
Hyderabad, personal Jagirs for Bassy, and 200,000 pounds for French EIC.
- In Carnatic huge peronsal Jagirs
for Dupleix.
- Dupleix was declared as Nawab of
all lands between River Krishna and Cape Comorin with Chanda Shaheb as
Nawab of Arcot.
- After 2nd phase victory by British
Dupleix was recalled by France in 1754 due to high war expenditure.
- Also, France wanted to Treaty wanted
to honour the treaty of Aix-la-Chaple 1748 to secure its assets in
America.
- Chanda Shaheb surrendered but was
still beheaded despite the promise of life by Robert Clive.
- France was allowed to retain
territory around Pondicherry, its factors in Carnatic, Northern Circars,
and French agent at Hyderabad court.
- Muhammad Ali became the nawab of
Carnatic.
- Therefore French influence in
Hyderabad and British influence in Carnatic was the net result of the 2nd
Carnatic war.
3rd Carnatic
War, 1756-63 (6:22 PM)
- Result and part of a 7-year global
war(1756-63) fought between Britain, France, and their respective allies.
- It was fought in Europe, Africa,
the Americas, and India.
- Count-De-Lally arrived from France
to lead the french military along with Bussy who was in charge of Northern
Circars.
- While Robert Clive played an
essential role from the British side.
- The royal military of Britain and
France arrived in India.
- Why did France lose?
- Tactical mistake- Bussy left
Northern Circars unguarded to help Lally in Carnatic leading to the loss
of Northern Circars to the British.
- Poor leadership of Lally- he was
hated among french officials and sepoys due to his rude conduct, which
hurt the army's morale.
- The superior British navy,
- The superior financial strength of
Britain and British EIC while France faced financial difficulty
- For example, french Soldiers were
unpaid for months which hurt morale.
- Britain had witnessed growth
earlier than France during the Industrial Revolution in Britain, with more
significant trade profit as trading with more regions and longer time,
whereas Feudalism ended in France very late.
- The result of the War was:
- The question of dominance over
international trade in India was decided in the British favour.
- Most decided was the battle of
Wandiwash and the French lost all over including Pondicherry.
- French lost all gains made since
1749 under Dupleix.
- Therefore French were restricted
to their bases.
- They were barred from fortifying
their bases and from keeping a strong military.
- In 1769 French EIC was ended by
France.
- French continued in Chandanagar
and Ponidicherry.
- The high number of British royal
military troops arrived in India in favour of EIC, giving EIC the military
advantage over Indian states.
- For example, they felt confident
enough to start the Battle of Plassey, in 1757.
- Long-term effects of Carnatic
wars:
- Post-1757 EIC began maintaining a
large army with the help of the loot of Bengal.
- Now EIC began increasing its
political influence and started empire-building in 1757.
- In 1766 Hyderabad gave Northern
Circars to EIC in return for Military protection against Mysore and
Marathas.
- In 1798 Hyderabad became the first
state to sign a Subsidiary alliance that brought military and foreign
policy under EIC.
- The huge territory of Mysore was
annexed by 1799 via the 3rd and 4th Anglo-Mysore war and Subsidiary
alliance signed by Mysore in 1799.
- After the death of an ally,
Mohammad Ali Carnatic was annexed in 1801.
- In 1805 Subsidiary alliance was
signed with Travancore.
- Peshwa signed a Subsidiary alliance
in 1803 to regain Perswaship with British help.
- In the 2nd Anglo-Martha war
Marthas lost significant territory and Scindia of Gwalior signed a
Subsidiary alliance.
- Therefore EIC began political
influence in south India with the Carnatic war and dominated south India
politically by the early 19th century.
Bengal and EIC/
Battle of Plassey, 1757 (7:45 PM)
- The origin of the conflict was
Farruksiyar's Royal Farman of 1717.
- It gave EIC the right to duty-free
trade in Bengal, Gujarat, and Deccan and the right to use the Royal mint.
- It gave renting of 38 villages
around Calcutta.
- Murshid Quli Khan allowed
duty-free trade to EIC but did not allow misuse of Dastaks for private
trade by EIC officials.
- He also did not allow the use of
the Royal mint and allowed renting of villages but not their purchase by
EIC
- therefore Royal Farman became the
origin of the conflict however misuse of Dastaks began and continued.
- Dastaks was a document issued by
EIC officials that certified a set of goods are EIC goods and therefore
entitled to duty-free trade.
- Therefore Dastaks operationalized
the duty-free trade privilege given by the royal Farman and misuse of
Dastaks implied duty evasion by EIC officials as they wrongly claimed
their private trade as EIC trade.
The topic of
the next class: Short-term reasons for the battle of Plassey.
Modern Indian History Class 12
Battle of
Plassey (5:01 PM)
- Short-term reasons:
- Misuse of Dastaks and illegal
trade:
- By the 1750s 100,000 pounds was
the quantum of private trade by EIC officials which was 50 times their
annual salaries.
- EIC officials also sold Dastaks to
non-EIC merchants.
- Nawab of Bengal lost a huge amount
of revenue due to the misuse of Dastaks(that is tax/duty evasion).
- Private trade of EIC officials
hurt the economic interest of EIC as well but EIC was unable to control
it.
- Illegal trade- the Chater of EIC
gave a monopoly to EIC over British trade will all territories to the east
of cape of good hope and therefore trade with India by anyone other than
EIC was illegal, for example, private trade of EIC officials and trade by
non-EIC merchants from Britain.
- Interlopers were non-EIC British
merchants who traded illegally in India.
- Free merchant trade was also
illegal but artificially legalized as EIC allowed them to settle in EIC
establishments if they agreed to act as middlemen between Indian merchants
and EIC instead of directly trading with India, that is they sold Indian
goods to EIC in India instead of exporting themself.
- Britain-France rivalry:
- EIC feared the french and was
afraid of the french repeating their success in Carnatic
- Therefore EIC began adding
fortifications in Calcutta in 1755 without the permission of Alivardi
Khan.
- EIC officials also offered
protection to fugitives from the nawab's court.
- Therefore EIC Challenged the
sovereign authority of the nawab
- However, Alivardi Khan avoided
conflict and followed diplomacy.
- Role of Siraj-ud-Daulah:
- He acted in haste and stopped all
misuse of Dastaks, therefore hurting the private trade of EIC officials.
- When the British gave asylum to
Krisha Ballabh(charged with fraud with Siraj) and EIC began a new
fortification in Calcutta, Siraj acted.
- He took over a British factory in
Qasim Bazar near Hooghly and attacked and captured Calcutta and renamed
it, Ali Nagar.
- Also during this attack Black Hole
tragedy in Calcutta, thereby 30 British men were killed due to suffocation
because of overcrowding in a non-ventilated room.
- This created huge controversy
among the British.
- Events:
- Robert Clive arrived with the army
from Madras and then defeated Siraj, took back Calcutta, and signed the
Treaty of Ali Nagar with Siraj which restored all privileges of EIC.
- Then the British defeated the
french in Chandannagar and destroyed the Hugli port important for
the french.
- Now Jagat Seth and Mir Jafar
bribed EIC and Robert Clive so they replaced Siraj with Mir Jafar as
Nawab(Mir Jafar was the war commander of the Bengal army).
- There was rivalry in the court
between merchants, bankers, Zamindar, and nobles.
- Siraj was hated due to his
disrespectful conduct and Indian merchants and bankers benefited greatly
from their business with EIC.
- Mir Jafar ensured that the
majority of the Bengal army did not fight in the battle of Plassey in 1757
when EIC attacked.
- Therefore Siraj was defeated easily
by Robert Clive, Siraj ran away, later captured and killed.
Result/Significance
of Battle of Plassey (6:18 PM):
- Now Mir Jafar was a puppet nawab
of EIC.
- EIC's military domination of
Bengal began, therefore beginning the political supremacy of EIC in India.
- Plassey plunder(1757-65):
- 275,000 pounds to the royal
military for distribution to their members.
- 2.25 Crore rupees to EIC.
- Personal Jagir for Clive is worth
35,000 pounds per annum and 234,000 pounds in cash to him.
- From 1757-65, 2.5 Million
pounds were taken by EIC as political gifts from the Nawab of Bengal.
- Change in the structure of EIC
trade:
- Now gold was no more needed by
Britain to buy Indian goods as Indian money was now used to buy Indian
goods.
- Indian gold was used to buy
Chinese goods and Indian gold was taken to Britain.
- Therefore from Gold outflow
pre-1757, now there was gold and wealth inflow to Britain.
- Therefore drain of wealth from
India began after 1757.
- This also led to a huge dip in
Bengal revenue.
- Now rampant misuse of Dastaks and
EIC officials made personal fortunes example Clive(Governor of Culcutta
presidency).
- When Mir Jafar could not pay any
more to EIC, he was replaced with his son-in-law Mir Qasim by the EIC.
Battle of
Buxar, 1764 (7:02 PM)
- Background:
- Mir Qasim was an efficient
administrator and wanted independence from EIC control, therefore sifted
his base from Murshidabad to Bihar to be physically away from the British.
- He gathered money and started
building his army.
- To get the support of Indian
merchants he abolished all taxes on domestic trade, therefore bringing
parity between Indian merchants and British traders who did not pay any
taxes when they did domestic trade, through their Indian agents called
Gomutsahs.
- This hurt revenue of Bengal but
Qasim wanted the support of Indian merchants.
- EIC did not like this streak of
independence in Qasim, and thus defeated and replaced Qasim with Mir
Jafar.
- Now Qasim escaped with wealth to
Awadh and built an alliance with Suja-Ud-Dualah(Nawab of Awadh) and Shah
Alam-II(Mughal emperor) who was in Awadh.
- Fugitive prince Shah
Alam-II escaped Delhi due to fear of life from Imam-ul-Mulk, Wazir,
and grandson of Nizam-ul-Mulk.
- He was also frustrated with Delhi
court politics and wanted to build his kingdom in the east, that is Bengal
which had stopped sending revenue to Delhi since Alivardi Khan.
- Shuja-Ud-Daulah agreed to a
promise of 30 million rupees, Bihar and its treasury for Awadh(lack of
modern nationalism).
- Reason for defeat:
- A tactical mistake by Shuja who
followed an offensive strategy rather than a more appropriate defensive
strategy of cutting off the supply lines of the EIC army in Buxar and he
also ignored the advice of Qasim.
- Therefore Hector Munro emerged
victorious and now EIC send Clive from London to India to negotiate the
treaty of Allahabad.
- The treaty of Allahabad, 1765:
- EIC treated Shah Alam-II with
respect as in he lay sovereignty of India and with him on their side, EIC
could have greater influence in India.
- The Treaty of Allahabad was signed
between Robert Clive of EIC and Shah Alam-II & Shuja-Ud-Daula.
- EIC promised a tribute of 26 lakh
rupees/ annum to the emperor(although never gave this help).
- EIC promised Shah Alam-II military
help to recapture Delhi which was under Rohilla Afghans since
1761(although never helped recapture Delhi).
The topic of
the next class: The treaty of Allahabad w.r.t Bengal.
Modern Indian History Class 13
Treaty of
Allahabad (5:05 PM)
- Treaty of Allahabad and Bengal:
- EIC got Diwani from Orissa,
Bengal, and Bihar.
- That is reveune adminstarion and
reveunes of Bengal Suba.
- Therefore for 1st time, EIC took
over a sovereign function.
- Therefore EIC got an additional
source of income in form of revenues from the richest province of India.
- The dual government (1765-72) of
Bengal:
- Legally Diwani (revenue
administration) was given to EIC and Nizamat (non-revenue administration)
with the Nawab of Bengal.
- The policy of indirect rule was
initiated in Bengal as Nawab of Bengal became a puppet of EIC as a British
resident now stationed in court.
- The British resident in 1772
became the actual centre of power.
- EIC also got the right to appoint
deputy Subadar, who headed Nizamat on behalf of Nawab.
- Therefore through him EIC
indirectly controlled Nizamat.
- Therefore in practice, EIC got
full control of Bengal, that is Diwani as well as Nizamat.
- Legally dual government from
1765-72, practically EIC can rule legally in Diwani and indirectly in
Nizamat but did not as EIC appointed Deputy Subadar Mohammad Reza Khan,
who headed or ruled Nizamat on behalf of the nawab, also as Diwan of EIC.
- Therefore Indian administration
under the Indian deputy subadar continued till 1772.
- The dual government was ended due
to worsening law and order and warren hastings wanted to improve
administration, therefore EIC established direct rule of its own in both
Diwani and Nizamant in 1772.
- Treaty of Allahabad and Awadh:
- Shuja was made to pay 5 million
rupees.
- Shuja was now a puppet and a
British resident could now be stationed in Awadh court.
- The policy of a Ring fence was
initiated by Clive but was associated mainly with Warren Hasting.
- The policy of a Ring fence meant
creating a buffer around the core interest regions of EIC by signing a
military alliance with neighbours.
- A military alliance was signed
between Awadh and EIC.
- Therefore now EIC could use Awadh
military resources for the protection of EIC's interests in Bengal.
- Awadh came under the military
control of EIC as an EIC army stationed in Awadh permanently as it was to
be paid for by Awadh in form of an annual subsidy.
- Duty-free trade in Awadh.
- Therefore Treaty of Allahabad with
Awadh was a mini-subsidiary alliance.
Subsidiary
Alliance/Subordinate Alliance (6:44 PM)
- It was a policy initiated by
Wellesley.
- There was a ban on imperial
expansion by the Pitts India act because of huge war expenditure by EIC.
- Therefore British wanted to
consolidate gains made from these wars and prevent war expenditure.
- Therefore now EIC was to follow
the policy of indirect rule and maintain the balance of power among Indian
states.
- Wellesley was an empire builder
and had huge personal political ambitions in British polity.
- He gave the policy of indirect
rule & balance of power and reinitiated the policy of expansion.
- He convinced the British
government by overplaying the fear of Napoleon attacking India after
aligning with Indian states like Mysore.
- Napoleon attacked Egypt in 1798 to
control middle-east and hurt British trade by dominating the Arabian sea.
- He also had ambitions of
re-establishing french influence over India and was in communications with
Tipu.
- However, there was no real threat
of the french invading India and the British knew it.
- Still, the government agreed to
Wellesley as the primary goal of British foreign policy was to protect
India from European rivals.
- Wellesley found a middle path in
form of a Subsidiary alliance that led to supremacy over Indian states
without annexation.
- The model treaty of Subsidiary
alliance:
- British protection to the Indian
state against its neighbours and also against the internal threat of law
and order instability.
- For this EIC stationed its
military permanently in the Indian state.
- State to pay for maintenance of
EIC army stationed in form of annual subsidy.
- A British resident stationed in
the court of an Indian ruler.
- British consent was needed for
stationing any Europeans in court.
- Indian states must consult
Governor General while negotiating with Indian rulers or foreign power.
- The promise of non-interface by
EIC in the internal affairs of the Indian states.
- Impact of Subsidiary alliance on
Indian states:
- There was a drain of wealth in the
form of subsidy to EIC and the subsidy was high.
- EIC gradually increased the amount
of subsidy demanded.
- Now EIC could maintain a large
army at expense of Indian states as money for this large army came in form
of a subsidy.
- At times Indian rulers gave the
territory to EIC as payment of subsidy, for example in 1801 half of Awadh
was given.
- There was a loss of jobs for
military men as the army of the Indian state was disbanded.
- Indian ruler has to raise taxes to
pay subsidies and that made him unpopular.
- Peasants came under the oppression
of high land revenue and this increased the chances of peasant revolts.
- Indian rulers were accused of
maladministration while they had no powers as the British did not respect
the promise of non-interference in internal affairs and British resident
established their indirect rule.
- Indian states lost powers to
settle border disputes with each other, therefore now could not unite as
lost control of foreign policy.
- They also lost the ability to
self-defence as they had to disband their armies.
- Hyderabad was the 1st to sign a
subsidiary alliance in 1798 due to fear of Marathas and Mysore.
- The significant territory of
Mysore after the 4th Anglo-Mysore war in 1799 and Mysore signed a
subsidiary alliance in 1799.
- In 1801, Carnatic was annexed
after the death of EIC ally Mohammad Ali in 1795.
- In 1801, Awadh signed a subsidiary
alliance, and half of Awadh was annexed as permanent payment of subsidy.
- In 1802, Gaekwad of Baroda signed
a subsidiary alliance in return for EIC's help in a succession dispute.
- In 1803, Peshwa Baji Rao-II signed
a subsidiary alliance in return for EIC's help to regain Peshwaship after
he was removed by Holkar of Indore.
- After the Defeat in the 2nd
Anglo-Maratha war, Scindia of Gwalior signed a subsidiary alliance, and
significant territory of Maratha Sardars annexed by EIC.
- In 1805, Travancore signed a
subsidiary alliance in return for military help to suppress a revolt by
Nair troops due to low salary.
- Wellesley was recalled in 1805 due
to high war expenditure.
The topic of
the next class: The anglo-Mysore war.
Modern Indian History Class 14
Anglo-Mysore
War (5:08 PM)
- Reasons for Animosity between
Mysore Vs EIC, Hyderabad, Marathas, and Travancore:
- Mysore wanted to dominate the
whole of south India politically, therefore rivalry with Indian
neighbours.
- Mysore wanted to dominate the
trade of south India and this was against the interest of EIC.
- Therefore rise of Mysore as a
political, military, and mercantilist (fulfilment of profit motive via
trade) power threatened the British.
- Mysore followed a policy of
military fiscalism which was similar to the policy followed by EIC.
- Mysore used resources from land
revenue and trade to modernize its military with help of the french.
- Therefore it competed with EIC in
core interesting areas of EIC, thus a threat to EIC.
- In 4 Anglo-Mysore wars usually,
Hyderabad and Marathas fought on the side of EIC except in 1780-82 when
there was an alliance between Marathas, Hyderabad, and Mysore against EIC.
- Nana Fadnavis was 1st to realize
the political ambitions of EIC in India.
- Therefore took initiative to
create the above alliance.
- 1st Anglo-Maratha and so was the
2nd Anglo-Mysore war in 1780-1784, while Hyderabad was turning against EIC
as EIC took over Guntur.
- However, EIC soon settled
disputes by returning Guntur to Hyderabad and signing the treaty of
Salbai, in 1782 that ended the war with Marthas and creating a military
alliance between EIC and Marathas.
- Therefore breaking an alliance of
Indian powers and replacing it with a triple alliance of EIC, Hyderabad,
and Marathas by 1782.
- Also, the aggressive foreign policy
of tipu contributed to the isolation of Mysore.
- Results of 4 Anglo-Mysore wars:
- In 1st 2 Anglo-Mysore wars(1766-69
and 1780-84) status-quo was maintained territorially.
- However, Mysore lost roughly half
of the territory to EIC, Marathas, and Hyderabad in the 3rd Anglo-Mysore
war in 1789-92(Malabar, Baramahal, Dindigul).
- Further Major loss of territory in
the 4th Anglo-Mysore war, where Tipu died defending his capital,
Seringapatam, and the Wodeyar Dynasty was restored to power and the
Subsidiary alliance was signed with more in 1799.
- EIC focused on taking over coastal
areas like Malabar, Canara, and surrounding Mysore.
Travancore
(5:52 PM)
- In 1800 a British resident was
stationed in Travancore, therefore EIC influence began after the strict
rule of Matanda Verma and Rama Verma ended.
- In 1805 there was a revolt by Nair
troops due to grievances related to salaries and Travancore signed a subsidiary
alliance, in return for military help by EIC.
- However, the promise of
non-interface in internal affairs wasn't kept by the British resident.
- Therefore 1809, Diwan Vellu
Thapi revolted with help of peasants and Nair troops, and this revolt was
crushed.
Carnatic (6:06
PM)
- In 1801 Carnatic was annexed by
Wellesly after the death of ally Mohamad Ali.
Anglo-Maratha
War (6:07 PM)
- 1st Anglo-Maratha war in 1775-82.
- 2nd Anglo-Maratha war in 1803-05.
- 3rd Anglo-Maratha war in 1817-19.
- Importance of Deccan for British:
- Large coastal areas, that is west
coast with Marthas(Konkan coast and some Malabar coast).
- High cotton trade with china from
Gujarat.
- 1st Anglo-Maratha war in 1775-82:
- Reasons:
- Raghunath Rao was removed as
Peshwa in the Barbhai conspiracy by Nana Fadnavis.
- As Raghunath Rao had become Phehwa
after the killing of Narayan Rao.
- Now Raghunath Rao went to EIC in
Bombay. and the signed treaty of Surat that led to the 1st Anglo-Maratha
War.
- Treaty of Surat, 1775:
- The Governor of Bombay presidency
of EIC agreed to help Raghunath Rao to regain Peshwaship and in return,
Raghunath Rao promised Salsette and Bassin near Bombay,
- Events:
- After regulating act of 1773 by
the British parliament governors of Bombay and madras were subordinated to
the Governor-General of Bengal in matters of War and Peace except in
emergency circumstances when they could act independently.
- Therefore Governor of Bombay acted
independently by signing the treaty of Surat.
- To prevent War expenditure
Governor-General of Bengal overturned the Treaty of Surat and negotiated
and negotiated a treaty of Purandar.
- EIC recognized Madhav Rao-II as
Peshwa and EIC got Salsette and Bassin.
- Marathas to not allow the french
any position in their domain, however, Nana Fadnavis gave the french a
port.
- Therefore treaty could not be
finalized and war resumed.
- By 1782 British were defeated; a
contributory factor was the alliance between Indian powers.
- However it was an inconclusive
victory, therefore Marathas signed a treaty of Salbai, whereby war was
ended, and the Marathas got back their territory with EIC, British
recognized Madhav Rao-II as Peshwa.
- British retained Salsette and
France to not allow any position.
- Raghunath Rao was pensioned off.
2nd
Anglo-Maratha war, 1803-05 (6:48 PM)
- Background:
- Due to high war expenditure, the
Pitts India act of 1784 banned imperial expansion.
- But this policy changed with
Wellesley.
- In 1802 Wellesley signed a
Subsidiary alliance with Gaekwad of Baroda in return for help in a
succession dispute.
- Reasons for war:
- Wellesley was an empire builder.
- Fractionalism rose in Maratha's
polity after the suicide of Peshwa Madhava Rao due to over-controlling
Nana Fadnavis and increased opposition to Nana.
- Baji Rao-II(son of Raghunath Rao)
wanted to remove the influence of Nana Fadnavis.
- In 1800, Nana Fadnavis who could
have kept Maratha Sardar died, therefore factionalism increased further.
- In 1802, Holker of Indore defeated
Scindia and also Baji Rao-II.
- Now Baji Rao-II went to EIC to
regain Peshwaship and signed the treaty of Bassin 1803, whereby he signed
a Subsidiary alliance with EIC and now the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war began.
- Result:
- EIC was victorious in the war.
- Subsidiary alliance signed with
Scindia.
- Scindia lost all territory north
of Yamuna including Delhi & Agra and all his part in Gujarat.
- Bhonsle of Nagpur lost Orissa to
EIC.
- Tributaries of Marathas (those who
pay annual tributes) like Jats, Bundelas, Rajputs, and Rohillas signed a
Subsidiary alliance with EIC.
- Due to high war expenditure,
Wellesly was recalled and Cornwallis again made the governor-general of
Bengal with clear instructions to follow the policy of non-interference
and no expansion.
The policy of
Paramountcy, 1813 (7:18 PM)
- It meant that henceforth a new
policy of paramountcy was initiated by hastings.
- The British were to be the
significant/supreme power among all other forces in India.
- therefore British interests were
to be Paramount and to protect these paramount interests British to have
the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Indian states and even
the right to annex Indian states.
- Therefore from 1813, Indian states
were to have no rights if British interests demanded so(Indian states had
rights rover internal affairs in a subsidiary alliance).
- Therefore Paramountcy was a
subsidiary alliance less any rights for the Indian state.
3rd
Anglo-Maratha war, 1817-19 (7:50 PM)
- Reasons for the war:
- The policy of Paramountcy again
gave a push to imperial expansion.
- Since 1803, the Subsidiary
alliance, Peshwa Baji Rao-II was a puppet of the EIC and he now wanted to
regain independence from EIC control.
- Also, the policy of
non-interference since 1805 allowed Maratha Sardars to consolidate power
and feel confident militarily.
- Therefore Baji Rao-II allied with
Marathas to overthrow British dominance and the 3rd Anglo-Maratha war
began.
- Results of the war:
- EIC was victorious in this war.
- Peshwaship was abolished,
therefore Peshwa Baji Rao-II was the last Peshwa.
- Maharashtra which is Swarajya was
annexed by the British.
- A subsidiary alliance was signed
with Holkar and Bhonsle and lost significant territory to EIC.
- Therefore by 1819, EIC has total
control over all territory south of Vindhyas.
Annexation fo
Awadh (7:57 PM)
- Dalhousie:
- He implemented and used the policy
of Paramountcy to expand the British empire in India.
- He annexed territories in the
following ways:
- Annexing territory instead of
payment of subsidy, for example, Berar from Hyderabad in 1853.
- By fighting wars for example 2nd
Anglo-Sikh war that led to the annexation of Punjab.
- Via doctrine of lapse which was
the product of the policy of Paramountcy.
- Under this those state was annexed
where there was no legal heir that is no biological heir of the ruler.
- The annexation was justified as an
unclear line of succession could lead to political unstably due to
succession disputes, therefore, putting British interests under threat.
- Examples of such annexation under
the doctrine of lapse:
- Sambalpur-1849.
- Bhagat-1850.
- Satara-1848.
- Udaipur-1852.
- Nagpur-1853.
- Jhansi-1854.
- To protect the British Paramount
interest from maladministration in Awadh, he annexed Awadh in 1856.
- To safeguard British paramount
interest from the threat of neighbour powers he fought and won the 2nd
Burma war and annexed Pegu in lower Burma.
- 2nd Anglo-Sikh war to prevent any
possibility of Russian influence in India via Afghanistan.
The topic of
the next class: Annexation of Awadh.
Modern Indian History Class 15
A brief
overview of the previous class - (05:01 PM)
Annexation of
Awadh - (05:07 PM)
- ToA was a form of the subsidiary
alliance (SA) but a concrete shape was given by Wellesley 9805 when the
formal SA treaty was signed in 1801.
- Awadh was important as three-fifth
of indigo cultivation was in Awadh + importance of the export of Awadh raw
cotton to China.
- Subsidy demanded under the Treaty
of Allahabad 1765 was gradually increased by EIC to compensate for high
war expenditure.
- The arrival of Wellesley 9805 - He interfered in the succession
of Awadh. After the death of Asaf Ud-daula 7597, EIC refused to accept his
son Wazir Ali 9798 as Nawab and made uncle Sadat Ali Khan II Nawab (in
1798) in return for some territory and 76 lakh rupees as an annual
subsidy.
- Conflict arose with Sadat Ali Khan
II due to interference by the British resident + misuse of the Dastaks
since 1765 + Nawab defaulted on payment of subsidy in 1801. Therefore, now
Richard Wellesley 9805 sent his brother Henry to impose SA on Awadh in
1801 + half of Awadh was annexed as permanent payment of subsidy (* LR
from this territory = 1.3 crore v/s justified/decided 76 lakh). Therefore,
EIC annexed Gorakhpur - Rohilkhand doab.
- Despite permanent payment of
subsidy, EIC continues to demand more money, therefore, Nawab was forced
to increase taxes and became unpopular among Zamindars and peasants + now
the oppression of peasants due to high LR, therefore, fear of peasant
revolts by 1855 + by 1855 British resident became the real centre of
power. For example - held his informal court, therefore, degrading the
status of Nawab.
- Now, Dalhousie 4856 accused Nawab
of maladministration (Nawab - Wajid Ali Shah) while in reality, high
subsidy demand was responsible for the situation but Nawab had no powers
and all responsibilities as a British resident established indirect
rule.
- In 1856, Dalhousie annexed the
rest of Awadh on grounds of maladministration (to protect British
paramount interests of trade and business in Awadh).
Anglo-Sikh Wars
- (05:31 PM)
- Background -
- As per the policy of the ring
fence, the British also wanted stable frontiers to ensure the protection
of the British empire from foreign invasions.
- If a neighbouring power threatened
the frontiers or the frontier state became weak, then the British acted
and annexed the frontier state or tried to establish indirect rule in the
border Indian state or the immediate neighbourhood of India. Example - In
Afghanistan.
- Make a flowchart from the board
- Reasons for 1st Anglo-Sikh war
1845 -
- After the death of Maharaja Ranjit
Singh 0139, factionalism increased in Punjab polity with rivalries between
Sindhanwalias (Misl chief), Dogras from Jammu (poor wazirs), the Khalsa
army and princes from the Royal family.
- Also, there were succession
disputes and political murders + there was the rise of the Khalsa army as
a political power in the Sikh polity it talked about the idea of the rule
of Panchayats which threatened the British, therefore, political
instability in frontier states + rise of Khalsa army as a political player
led to action by British in form of first Anglo-Sikh war where British +
Dogras v/s Sikh state (GGI = Hardinge 1844-48).
- Results -
- This led to the humiliating treaty
of Lahore 1846 where
- a) the size of the Khalsa army was
decreased and an EIC army was stationed.
- b) EIC annexed Jalandhar doab.
- c) Kashmir was given to Raja Gulab
Singh Dogra of Jammu (*J&K)
- d) Maharaja Dilip Singh 4349 is
now to be advised by a British resident, that is, the policy of indirect
rule was initiated.
- There was another treaty in
December 1846, whereby, the mother of Dilip Singh was removed as regent,
and a regency council headed by a British resident was set up.
- Therefore, the British control of
military and internal administration.
- Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49) by
Dalhousie 4856
- Reasons = two Sikh chiefs/governors
revolted against the British + Dalhousie 4856 an empire builder.
- Result = full annexation of Punjab.
Expansionism of
British - (06:18 PM)
- Draw a diagram from the board (on
the core area and a new threat).
- With empire building, the core
kept on expanding leading to new fears about protecting the core and
leading to further empire building, therefore, the 19th century saw a
series of annexations and wars by the British.
- Proof =
- First Burma war (1824-28)
- Reason - Bengal Frontier was under
threat due to expansionist Burma in the 18th and 19th centuries. Burma had
made Manipur, Cachar, and then Assam its sphere of influence in the 19th
century + after six years of no war after the third Anglo-Maratha war
(1817-19), the EIC army wanted something, therefore argued that expansion
by Burma inspiring Indian rulers against EIC and this led to first Burma
war 1824-28.
- Result = treaty of Yandobo = Assam and
Nagaland annexed + Arakan, Tenaserin in lower Burma annexed.
- Later in 1830, Cachar
annexed.
- Coorg was annexed in 1834 and
Coorg became the first coffee-producing area.
- First Afghan War (1838-42)
- Reason = Fear of Russia that is, the
northwest frontier.
- Result = British established indirect
rule in Afghanistan.
- Sindh was annexed in 1843.
- Annexations by Dalhousie - Sambhalpur in 1849, Bhagat in
1850, Udaipur in 1852, Nagpur in 1853, and Jhansi in 1854.
- 2nd Burma War (1852-53) - annexed Pegu
- In 1853, Berar of Hyderabad was
annexed instead of subsidy under SA 1798.
- In 1856, the annexation of Awadh
was on grounds of maladministration.
- No more annexations were done
after the revolt of 1857. By 1857, India = British India (direct rule of
EIC and it was 67% of the territory and 78% of the population), and the
rest were 565 princely states (indirect rule via a policy of
paramountcy).
Revolt of 1857
- (07:07 PM)
- Question) What began as a fight for
religion ended as a war of independence as there is no doubt
that rebels wanted to get rid of the alien government and restore the
old order of which the King of Delhi was the rightful representative.
Do you support this view?
- 1857 revolt = Sepoy mutiny + Civil
rebellion/uprising
Reasons -
(07:17 PM)
- The grievance of Sepoys
- Service-related -
- a) discrimination between Indian
sepoys and European sepoys in salaries and pensions.
- b) there was a focus on building a
uniform military culture by the British and a decrease in financial
expenditure which contributed to the grievances of sepoys.
- c) to compensate for high war
expenditure, there was a decrease in the salaries of sepoys + in 1856,
there was an end of allowance for service outside their region which
caused grievance among sepoys.
- Socio-religious -
- a) there was high racism toward
Indian sepoys For Example - were usually referred to as Suar/pigs.
- b) there were Christian
missionaries in barracks which created fear of conversion among Indian
sepoys.
- c) Since the 1813 charter act,
there was a focus on the westernization of India including the spread of
Christianity in India.
- d) Also British now tried to
develop a uniform culture in the army as it would lead to better control
over sepoys, increased unity among sepoys over time, decreased loyalty to
caste and religion, and increased commitment to the employer.
- e) There was also a rumour of mixing
cow and pig bone dust with flour and a rumour of cartridges of the new
Enfield rifle that replaced Brown Bess musket, having grease made of cow
and pig fat and they were to be bitten off before loading.
- Political reasons -
- a) Awadh was annexed in 1856.
- Agrarian/Economic grievance
-
- a) Sepoy was a peasant in uniform
since he came from a peasant family and therefore was hurt by the loss of
family land to the British government due to high land revenue and to the
moneylender due to indebtedness.
- b) Also now, the rural population
joined, therefore sepoy mutiny was followed by civil rebellion.
Reasons for
civil rebellion - (07:28 PM)
- Feudal elements/Rajas/Nobility –
- a) Loss of kingdom due to
annexations by the British by application of Doctrine of Lapse or taking
over of Awadh on grounds of maladministration led to grievances among
dispossessed rulers.
- b) These annexations were done in
line with the policy of paramountcy. Examples – Satara 1848, Nagpur,
Sambalpur, and Bhagat 1850, Udaipur 1852, and Jhansi 1853. (Do-Lapse).
Along with Nawab, the entire aristocracy was negatively affected.
Therefore, these disposed princes offered leadership.
- Big Landowners/Taluqdars/Zamindars
-
- a) Application of Mahalwari
settlement in North-west provinces and Awadh led to the loss of land for
Taluqdars as in this system, land ownership in many cases was given to the
actual cultivator leading to loss of personal estates for Taluqdars.
Therefore, it led to the loss of economic status.
- b) British focussed on building a
strong centralized state and therefore, private forts and private armies
of Taluqdars were disbanded leading to a loss of military status. Now
there was to be the rule of law under the British that is equality before
the law which hurt their social status and therefore, Taluqdars provided
leadership to peasants.
- Artisans/Peasants-
- a) Artisans were utterly destroyed
by the British-made machines as machines produced a cheaper and better
quality product.
- b) Peasants - High land revenue
and indebtedness to moneylenders which lead to landlessness.
- Religion -
- The whole rural society had a fear
that their religion is under threat -
- a) Since 1813, there was an inflow
of Christian missionaries and there were forced conversions under police
protection.
- b) The socio-religious reforms of
the British, for example - The widow remarriages act 1856 escalated the
fear that the British wanted to destroy traditional customs and religious
practices.
- c) They gave the right of
inheritance to those who converted to Christianity and therefore,
escalated religious conversions.
- d) British began taxing
revenue-free lands of religious sects, mosques, and temples and therefore,
Hindus and Muslims both felt a threat to their religion, and Pundits and
Maulvis spread hatred against the British among the people.
- There was a common feeling among
the Indians that British rule is immoral due to all of the above-mentioned
grievances and therefore, the goal of the 1857 revolt was to restore the
pre-British order - political, economic, social, and religious.
Agents - (07:56
PM)
- Sadhus and Maulvis were the agents
of spreading hatred against the British.
Topics for the
Next Class - Dictation of the Revolt of 1857
Modern Indian History Class 16
1857 Revolt
(5:02 PM)
- On 19 march 1857, Mangal Pandey at
Barakhpur at Calcutta fired at British officers and his fellow sepoys
refused to arrest him, and all hanged him.
- On the 10th of May Meerut sepoys
mutiny and reached Delhi on the 11th of May and proclaimed BS Jazar as
emperor of Hindustan.
- The revolt spread to other
contentment in north-west provinces and Awadh and the civil population
joined.
- British rule collapsed from 11th
May till the spring of 1858.
- Delhi was recaptured by the
British only by 20th September 1857.
- Reasons for sepoy mutiny:
- Racism:
- Discrimination in salaries and
pension.
- The highest post an Indian sepoy
could reach was Subadar which gave only 60-70 rupees a month.
- Racist slurs like Indians were
referred to as pigs.
- Economic reasons:
- To compensate for high war
expenditure, the salaries of sepoys decreased, and allowance for service
outside their region ended in 1856.
- Socio-religious reasons:
- Initially, EIC recruited sepoys in
line with Indian tradition that is upper castes were recruited and their
caste and religious customs were respected.
- But as the empire expanded
different communities joined the EIC army.
- Therefore difficult to respect the
religious customs of the upper caste.
- British tried developing a uniform
culture in the army as it would decrease loyalty to caste/religion and
increase loyalty to the empire, to have better control over sepoys.
- Therefore EIC reduced caste
privileges, like wearing religious symbols, food preferences, etc, and
sepoys were forced to go abroad to Burma, Sindh, and Afghanistan, leading
to caste loss.
- And those who refused were
punished or dismissed.
- Also since the charter act of
1813, there was a focus on the spread of Christianity and Christian
missionaries in barracks created the fear of conversion.
- The whole rural society has fear
that their religion was under threat.
- Forced conversion and arrivals of
missionaries.
- Socio-religious reform post-1801
escalated fears that the British wanted to destroy traditional customs
like:
- Sati abolition.
- Hindu widow remarriage act.
- Lex-Loki act(caste disability
removal act, removal of religious disabilities act), 1850 gave the right
of inheritance to Hindu and Muslim converts to other regions.
- British began taxing mosques and
temples.
- Rumours:
- Rumour of mixing cow and pig bone
dust in flour.
- The cartridges of Enfield rifles
replaced brown bass muskets having Greece made up of cow and pig fats.
- These bullets were to be bitten
off before loading.
- Therefore sepoys feared that the
British wanted to make them lesser Hindus/Muslims for easy conversion
- The revolt began in the Bengal
army as high caste identity was still maintained, leading to more unity
among sepoys.
- Political reasons:
- The majority of sepoys in the
Bengal army were from Awadh and nearly every family in Awadh sent a member
to the EIC army.
- Annexation of Awadh was seen as a
betrayal and hurt the loyalty of the sepoys.
- Agrarian reasons:
- Britsih did a summary settlement
in Awadh that determined the land revenue demand without proper field
surveys leading to high land revenue demand.
- In northwest provinces, field
surveys were improperly dealing with high land revenue demand.
- When peasants could not pay land
revenue, they lost land in the government auctions
- Peasants became indebted to
moneylenders and then lost lands due to defaulting on loans.
- Sepoy was a peasant in uniform
since he came from a peasant family therefore his loyalty was hurt by
British policy.
- Therefore the issue of cartridges
was only a trigger that gave voice to multiple grievances.
- Reasons for civil rebellion:
- Grievances of feudal elements:
- Loss of kingdoms due to annexation
like the doctrine of lapse led to grievances among ex-rulers and nobility.
- therefore they offered leadership
in the revolt.
- For example:
- Nana saheb in Kanpur was the
adopted son of Bajirao-II and was denied a pension.
- He was assisted by Tatia Tope.
- Began Hazat Mahal in Lucknow(wife
of ex-nawab Wazid Shah) ruled in name of young son during the revolt.
- Khan Bahadur Khan, a Rohilla
afghan in Bareilly.
- Rani Lakshmi Bai in Jansi whose
adopted son was not recognized as the next ruler.
- Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur, Bihar
was a big Zamindar and local Raja whose estates were taken over.
- BS Zafar as Canning announced in
1956 would now be called a prince and he to vacate red fort and shift to
humbler Qutab, therefore losing of status.
- Grievances of Talukdars:
- Application of Mahalwari
settlement in north-west provinces and Awadh led to the last of
lands/estates as ryots were made legal and owner leading to loss of economic
status.
- Their private forts were
demolished and their private army was disbanded, leading to a loss of
political and military status.
- British rule of law hurt their
social status.
- Therefore Talukdars provided
leadership to the revolt.
- Peasants and Artisans:
- Destruction of the handicraft
sector due to cheaper machine-manufactured goods imported from Britain
hurt artisans' livelihoods.
- Landlessness for peasants due to
high land revenue demand and indebtedness to moneylenders.
- As they lost land in government
action on non-payment of land revenue and lost land to money lenders due
to default on loans that were given at very high-interest rates.
- The new British courts supported
money lenders, therefore moneylenders also became targets during the 1857
revolt.
- The goal of the revolt was to
restore the pre-British order.
Reasons for the
victory of the British in the 1857 revolt (6:20 PM)
- Sepoys lacked financial resources.
- Lack of modern weapons and
training among peasants
- British had better leadership and
a strong centralized bureaucracy, army, and an effective communication
system leading to efficient decision-making and coordination.
- Tactical mistakes as Sepoys
focused on coming to Delhi, therefore movement did not spread properly and
the defeat of Delhi meant the defeat of revolt.
- Lack of unified leadership on the
Indian side as there were multiple regional leaders and no central
leadership, therefore coordination suffered.
- Due to the localized nature of the
uprising British could defeat rebels one after other.
- The whole EIC army did not revolt,
the Bombay and Madras regiments were quiet, while Punjabi and Gurkha
actively helped the British.
- The civil rebellion was limited to
mainly north and central India and mainly minor participation elsewhere.
Was the 1857
revolt a war of independence? (6:57 PM)
- The colonial view is that the 1857
revolt was mainly a sepoy mutiny due there service-related grievances and
the civil uprising was nothing but mob violence due to the breakdown of
law and order.
- However, VD Savarkar called it the
Indian war of independence and fought for Swadrama and Swaraj.
- Karl Marx also argued that it was
a nationalist revolt.
- The mainstream stand is that it
was much more than mutiny but modern nationalism was not present therefore
not a proper war of independence based on modern nationalism.
- The whole of India did not
participate and those sections that benefited from colonial rule did not
participate.
- For example, Zamindar of Bengal
became a big landlord after a permanent settlement in 1793, therefore
stayed loyal to the British.
- Those rulers who did not lose
their kingdoms stayed neutral.
- Western-educated gained from jobs
created by British rule and believed that British rule will modernize
India.
- Talukdars who did not lose their
estate stayed loyal.
- In Ryotwadi areas like Sindh,
Coorg, Assam, and Bengal ryot benefited as they made landowners.
- There was no proper planning and
the revolt was spontaneous bursts.
- There was no modern alternative in
form of democracy.
- Yes, modern nationalism was absent
however common enemy was there.
- Common hatred was there against
disruption brought by British rule.
- That is a common feeling that
British rule is immoral
- A common fear of threat to
religion.
- Sepoys' declaration in Delhi went
beyond their selfish grievances and listed the following reasons for
mutiny:
- There was high land revenue
demand.
- Increase chowkidar tax.
- Increase in unemployment of
artisans and learned men.
- Tol tax for travelling on public
roads.
- Decrease in the status of in
status of Indian ruling class.
- Therefore sepoys were fighting all
Indians.
- The common goal of restoring moral
order was disturbed by British rule.
- Hindu-Muslim unity was there with
belief that Hindustan is for Hindus and Muslims.
- All agreed among rebels that Delhi
should be the capital and BS Zafar as emperor.
- Rebels did not desire the
dictatorship of an all-Indian monarch, that does not desire a 17th-century
unitary structure but wanted decentralized polity with real power at the
province level.
- Therefore desired a form of
federalism.
- Rebels did not want the British
not just out of their areas but out of Hindustan.
- Also this time there was
communication between regional leaders
- It was a movement of the masses
and not of elites:
- Elites were forced to take up
leadership in many cases by those who revolted like BS Zafar, Nana Saheb,
and Jhansi ki Ranni, therefore initiative was of the common man and in
many cases, peasants and artisans continued revolts.
- The main initiative was of sepoy
and he was a peasant in uniform
- Therefore 1857 revolt was led by
peasants.
Why 1857 revolt
is an important watershed in Indian history? (7:43 PM):
- Political impact:
- British became distrustful of
Indians, and authoritarianism and racism increased.
- Indian were now considered
racially inferior and beyond reforms and the British did not want Indians
in senior positions, therefore did not want to share power with Indians.
- They wanted stronger control over
India, however, this frustrated educated Indians who wanted a share in
power and this anger led to the starting modern nationalism-based Indian
national movement.
- EIC was blamed for the
mismanagement of Indian affairs and public pressure in Britain increased
in favour of ending absentee sovereignty(as the real sovereign, the
British government ruled India through an agent EIC).
- Therefore GOI act of 1858 ended
EIC rule and declared queen victoria as the sovereign ruler of India with
direct rule over British India and paramountcy over Indian princes.
- Therefore queen was now the
empress of India and Mughal rule ended legally with BS Zafar being
deported to Burma and pensioned off.
- Queen's proclamation of November
1858, promised religious tolerance and that India would be governed as per
its customs and traditions, therefore spread of Christianity and
socio-religious reforms took a backseat.
The topic of
the next class: administrative impact of the 1857 revolt.
Modern Indian History Class 17
Political and
administrative impact of the 1857 revolt (5:03 PM)
- The Governor General of Bengal was
replaced with the Viceroy.
- Administrative impact:
- Now there was a focus on effective
policing and intelligence.
- 1860 police commission led to the
Indian police act, of 1861 which set up police structure and functions
which continued till 1947 with little change.
- Indian police act, of 1861:
- The state police concept was
implemented properly throughout British India.
- Provincial police under the
inspector general who reported to the governor/LG.
- District police under the superintendent
of police who reported to DC/DM
- Therefore for 1st time, a proper
hierarchy of specialists with a proper chain of command was implemented.
- In 1857, a Police Raj was created
and Indians were excluded from all senior positions.
- Civil services:
- The civil services exam was
introduced by the Charter of 1853 and Indians could give exams.
- The exam was held in London and
after 1857, it was ensured that simultaneous exams is not held in India.
- The maximum age was kept low
between 19-23, this was to prevent Indians from clearing the exam.
- Finally, Indian national movement
pressure led to exams in India.
- 1st exam was held in 1922 in India
and the decision was GOI 1919.
- British military:
- After the 1857 revolt, the Peel
commission led to the following change:
- Prevent homogeneity by having a
heterogeneous mix of different castes, in a regiment.
- This was to prevent caste-based
bonds of unity among sepoys like in the Bengal army in the 1857 revolt.
- Prevent inter-region interaction
between regional army units to prevent pan-India unity among regiments.
- Britsih benefited from the lack of
unity between their regional armies in the 1857 revolt.
- Now recruitment was done on basis
of race, and the idea of a martial race started by the British.
- That is Jats, Rajput, and Sikhs
were termed as martial races, who were loyal, courageous, and good
fighters but lacked leadership skills given the British.
- Therefore martial races and those
regions which stayed loyal were preferred in recruitment.
- British focused on building a
culture of loyalty to salt and promoted the idea of sacrifice for the
employer for the honour of one community.
- Now the British maintained a large
standing army, that is an army in peacetime.
- British ensured at least a 1:2
ratio between Europeans and Indians in the army.
- No Indians in senior military
positions.
- There was high use of the British
army against INM and peasant revolt.
- Also British wanted to ensure that
sepoys, don't influence by INM, therefore they were kept in barracks as
much as possible.
British
imperialist ideologies (5:59 PM)
- White man's burden:
- The idea among western Europeans
is that they are a superior civilization and therefore have a
responsibility to civilize the rest of the world.
- This belief strengthened due to
the enlightenment, scientific revolution, industrial revolution,
capitalism, etc.
- Orientalism(dominated until 1813):
- Oriental implies relating to the
east.
- Orientalists believed in the
greatness of ancient Indian civilization and therefore wanted to study
Indian scriptures, languages, literature, etc.
- Willaim Jones argued in favour of
kinship ties between Indians and Europeans.
- He argued that Indian and European
languages are part of the same family and therefore Indian civilization is
at par with European civilization and supported Aryan invasion theory.
- However, orientalism supported
colonialism as:
- Degrataions in the recent past
argued orientalist and white man's burden was to restore the glory of
ancient times.
- The responsibility to restore the
golden past was to be with the British and not with Indians, who were seen
as incapable of leadership.
- Aryan invasion theory implied that
even the great past was the product of the west and therefore supported
cultural colonialism.
- The argument of kinship had the
benefit of decreasing opposition to colonial rule.
- Orientalists believed in ruling
India the Indian way because:
- Since the Indian way of life is
great thus don't impose the British way of life.
- Some believed India is not ready
for modern British ideas, therefore preventing the negative reactions from
Indians against the British, this also led to less focus on social
reforms, and administrative and legal reforms.
- Therefore orientalism helped in
the smooth transition of power from Indian rulers to British.
- The authoritarianism of
Cornwallis:
- Greater study of the ancient past
led to believe among the British that degradation in present is too much.
- Therefore attempt should not be to
restore the golden past but impose the British system.
- He was an authoritarian who
imposed the British system of administration and removed Indians from all
senior positions.
- For example, he was influenced by
English landlordism and brought Permanent settlement in 1793.
- He was also a racist as he
converted the British bureaucracy into an aloof elite, that is he
discourages the intermingling of EIC officials with Indians and supported
separateness.
- Indian were now not allowed in
gated colonies of the British and EIC were discouraged from having Indian
wives, Eurasians were banned from joining EIC service.
- The reason for this was racism and
preventing a repeat of the American revolution where the British
permanently settled in 13 colonies in the 1600s and then revolted against
the British crown, therefore he also banned the purchase of land by EIC
officials who had Indian wives.
- Authoritarianism leads to the
establishment of a strong state which implements rule of law.
- By 1813 orientalism came under
attack:
- and it was argued that it has
denied the benefits of British rule to India.
- As orientalism prevented Britain
from modernization of India.
- Therefore now push to the
westernization of India to achieve the white man's burden and 3 imperial
ideologies emerged.
- Liberalism:
- British rule should civilize India
and liberate it from backwardness rather than the British just conquering
India.
- This is by giving India the best
ideas for the age.
- They argued for bringing western
education and implementation British legal system with rule of law,
westernization of the Indian economy, and social reforms to end social
ills.
- Utilitarianism:
- It argued that it is only good
governance that is good laws and their efficient implementation that can
modernize India.
- James Mill in his book
"history of British India" argued that the great Indian
civilization is a myth and that what India needs is an effective
schoolmaster.
- The focus was on utility as
supported use of vernacular instead of the English language to spread
western education.
- It also favoured majoritarianism,
that is those laws and actions are goods that maximize benefits for
maximum stakeholders.
- Evangelicalism:
- It argued that the main thing
wrong with India is its religion, therefore Christianizing India to
modernize India.
- The charter act of 1813, led by
Charles Grant of EIC legalized the entry of Christian missionaries and
there was a push to conversion to Christianity
- The charter act of 1813 ended the
monopoly of EIC over Indian trade, therefore now the Indian economy was to
be westernized with FDI, and the import of technology via non-EIC
British business.
- Post-1857 revolt high increase in
racism and authoritarianism and now the British argued that Indians are
beyond reforms.
- Now India was not just inferior
but also different, that is not a kin of Europeans.
- British became distrustful of
Indians and present sharing of power in any meaningful manner.
The topic of
the next class: Land revenue systems of the British.
Modern Indian History Class 18
Class started
(at 5:01 PM)
Land revenue
systems (5:10 PM)
- Farming system 1772 in Bengal- by Warren hastings (7385), GG Bengal
(1773-85).
- Bcakground= 1757-65- Plassey Plunder +1765
+over extraction of LR and some hasty experiments to maximise LR
collection.
- Therefore by 1770, the golden
egg-laying goose was killed by the British, that is Bengal the richest
province of India suffered from the great Bengal famine of 1770 where 10
million Indians died.
- Now, the LnO situation was set and
LR income declined rapidly.
- Therefore dual government and
indirect rule were ended and in 1772 direct rule of EIC began in Bengal.
- 1772 farming system was introduced
to increase LR collection whereby the right to collect LR was farmed out
/auctioned to the highest bidder revenue farmer (The revenue farmer is not
a farmer).
- Orientalism was in operation as
this system was similar to the Izaradari system.
- Supervision /In-charge of LR
collection was to be European DC.
- The result was high exploitation
of peasants due to huge LR demand by RF leading to no revenue collection
at all in many cases.
- Tax demand =100, I have 30, pay 0
or pay 30. In both cases, one is a defaulter so I don't pay.
- The overall rural population was
ruined.
- Now Cornwallis (8693) was sent as
GG Bengal with the primary goal of LR reforms as LR was now an important
source of funding.
Permanent
Settlement -1793(PS-1793) by Cornwallis (8693)
- PS was influenced by the
landlordism and authoritarianism of Cornwallis.
- Zamindar was made a legal land
owner therefore first-time property rights in land were created.
- That is the legal ownership of
land.
- Therefore land was now saleable,
leaseable, mortgage commodity and a land market would gradually come to
exist in India.
- Reason-
- Belief in landlordism or agrarian
capitalism or big landowners who worked for profits and have the security
of property.
- They would make big investments in
property.
- And therefore food security would
be achieved and LR will increase with the increase in production and trade
revenue will increase with increased production.
- The settlement was done with
zamindar.
- Reason= ease of collection for
government because of a limited number of landowners.
- LR was assessed permanently at an
absolute amount.
- LR is calculated as 10/11 of
produce at the time of settlement an amount arrived at was fixed forever.
- Reason=Incentive to capitalists for
investing in land as an increase in production won't lead to LR demand.
- This will lead to food security
and greater agrarian polity.
- Also, the government will have
certainty of LR income.
- Even if bad harvest government LR
income is not impacted.
- Because the government gave up the
right to increase LR income therefore LR was decided at the absolute
maximum at the time of settlement which is 10/11 of produce.
- Also, Cornwallis anticipated a
decrease in corruption and the burden of administration(as the assessment
workload is now zero).
- Sunset Clause-
- By the evening of a pre-decided
date, the zamindars must pay LR as automatically his lands will be up for
auction to anyone who agrees to pay the decided LR.
- Jotedars- those who bought these
lands in an auction that is relatives of zamindars to keep the land within
family and moneylenders etc.
- Political-create a loyal class which was
rich and socially influential therefore leading to political stability for
EIC rule.
- 1857 revolt Bengal zamindars
stayed loyal to the British.
- Overall Impact-
- in short term many zamindars lost
land in the auction as 10/11 of produce was very high LR demand.
- Therefore in the short term, the
growth of Jotedars.
- But in the long term stability
came and zamindars did emerge loyal to the British.
- British did get certainly and
regular inflow of LR.
- Failures = Zamindar did not act as
an agrarian capitalist as LR demand was very high.
- Therefore, nothing was left for
investment and agrarian productivity lagged.
- Impact on ryots= became landless
and rightless since rights of tenants were not recognised by PS 1793 and
all rights in land were vested in zamindar.
- Therefore now ryots became tenants
well with no occupancy rights for them and the operation of high rents as
the traditional Patta system wasn't respected.
- And abwabs that were illegal were
still collected by zamindars.
- Therefore the security of property
was only for zamindars and not for ryots.
Regulation VII
of 1799
- Cornwallis had taken away the
police powers of zamindars.
- Now, under this regulation VII
zamindars were given back police powers eg imprisonment, Right to cease
property etc
- Peasants revolts forced the
British to bring the rent act of 1859 in Bengal that gave occupancy rights
to those tenants who had cultivated land continuously for more than 12
years and took away police powers.
- However, the act was not
effectively implemented leading to further peasant unrest.
- Therefore finally Bengal tenancy
act of 1885 brought relief as the rights of tenants were properly
recognised.
- Break from 6:59 PM to 7:12 PM
- Any tenant riot who has cultivated
different pieces of land within the same villages and continuously for
more than 12 years was given occupancy rights. (Zamindar used to vacate
the tenant from the land before the completion of 12 years so he doesn't
have occupancy rights)
- BOB went to north madras and
settled permanently.
- PS-1793 were implemented in
Bengal, Bihar Odisha and North madras.
Ryotwari
settlement -1792
- It was a B-grade scam/Scam B in
Sindh, Coorg, Assam, madras, and Bombay.
- Alexander reed in madras
experimented with ryotwari; then applied the advice of Thomas Munro in madras
from 1801-07; then reapplied by Munro as governor of madras from 1820
onwards.
- Landowners=Ryot and big landowners
suffered the loss of land.
- Reason=ideology of Munro.
- Munro was from Scotland where a
yeoman farmer that is land owner cultivator was championed.
- He was an orientalist and argued
that in ancient times in India there were no very big landowners and ryot
that the actual cultivator was the landowner.
- He also argued that PS-1793 was
not suited for madras because big zamindars were unavailable.
- Deccan always had problems with
finances-Anglo -Mysore war.
- Therefore removed intermediaries
for financial reasons.
- He argued that making ryot
landowners will increase the political hold of EIC.
- A common man that is ryot will
become loyal to the state.
- The settlement was done with ryot.
- The periodic revision was possible
that LR was not permanently assessed.
- LR could be in percentage terms.
- Overall Impact-
- Improper field surveys led to
unjust LR demand that led to -
- 1. Ryots becoming indebted to
moneylenders and consequent loss of land due to indebtedness that defaults
on loans.
- 2. Loss of land in government
action on nonpayment of LR.
- 3. Mirasidars -were land owner
cultivators who joined the lower bureaucracy of the British, had police
powers and revenue collection roles and judicial powers and were also
corrupt.
- They bought the best lands in
auctions, therefore gradually emerged as big landowners leading to the
rebirth of intermediaries.
- They oppressed the ryots so much
at the final British acted in form of the Madras Torture Commission report
1885 which finally brought relief to the ryots.
- Now proper field surveys were
done, LR decreased and Mirasidars was held accountable.
Mahalwari
system -1822
- The settlement was done with
Mahal/Estate/District/Village community represented by the village
headman/Lambardar(In most cases say 90%).
- Or with zamindar/talukdar is
available in 10% of cases.
- Assessment of LR was done at the
estate level, not per field calculation of LR demand.
- LR was to be collected from the
village community represented by village headmen and the community decided
the individual contribution of each member.
- Reason= to respect village-level
autonomy.
- The landowner is most cases actual
ryot and in some cases zamindar.
- Therefore malware is equal to PS
and Ryotwari in terms of land ownership.
- Impact-
- Improper field surveys in
northwest provinces and summary settlement in Awadh led to unjust LR
demand and consequent landlessness due to loss of land in government
auction or to moneylenders.
- In most cases, zamindars suffered
the loss of land and therefore lost economic status.
- Therefore ryots and talukdars came
together in the 1857 revolt.
The topic for
the next class- Is acts till Govt of India act 1858.
Q-1857 revolt
acted as a catalyst for the end of EIC rule in India.
Modern Indian History Class 19
Last class
revision (5:05 PM)
Regulation of
EIC (5:20 PM)
- Parliament came to regulate EIC affairs
in India by the 1770s due to:
- Rise of EIC as it was
earning huge profits,
- There was the political rise of
EIC which was a non-state actor and this made the British state anxious
especially after the American war of independence where British settlers
started revolting against British rule, therefore the fear of the same in
India EIC.
- Also, the state wanted a share in
EIC profits, therefore in 1767 parliament mandated EIC to annually pay
400,000 pounds to the public exchanger.
- The great Bengal famine of 1770
hurt the image of Britain and EIC's conduct went against the idea of the
white man's burden and the morality of imperialism
- There was huge corruption by EIC
officials who returned super-rich from India.
- In 1770, EIC requested 10 million
pounds of loans from the state as it was going bankrupt.
- Important men like clive and
warrant hasting wanted a formal relationship with the state to increase
their status.
- The request for a loan acted as an
opportunity for the British state to bring EIC under regulation.
- A select committee of parliament
1772:
- The purpose of the Committee was:
- To look into the state of EIC
affairs in India, and the nature of the relationship between the British
state and the EIC regarding territory acquired by the EIC in India that is
public affairs of the EIC.
- EIC had multiple affairs like
commercial affairs where it acted as a company and public affairs where it
acted as a state.
- How EIC Headquarters in London
which is a court of directors can best control EIC's administration in India?
- The result of the committee was
that EIC was allowed to continue its monopoly over trade with India.
- However COD of EIC was now to be
accountable for EIC's administration in India.
- It also led to regulating act of
1773.
Regulating
act of 1773/Lord North's act (5.51 PM)
- The Importance of the act was that
for the 1st time right of parliament to regulate EIC affairs was legally
recognized.
- The act bought the COD of EIC
under the supervision of parliament.
- Now COD has so summit all
information received from India in civil, military, and revenue matters to
the British state.
- however commercial matters were
kept free from supervision, as only those areas where EIC acted as a state
was regulated.
- The governor of Bengal was
elevated to Governor-general of Bengal.
- The governor of Bengal and madras
subordinated to the Governor-general of Bengal in matters of war and peace
accepted in emergency circumstances.
- Governor general of Bengal to
collect information on all matters on EIC affairs in India and send the same
to the COD of EIC in London.
- The Supreme Council of Bengal was
created under the Governor-general of Bengal with 4 members/councillors.
- That is Governor-general of Bengal
was put in a council of 4 to ensure democratic decisions making as all
decisions were to be taken on basis of a majority vote of 4 councillors
(the Governor-general of Bengal. did not vote).
- The Governor-general of Bengal
only had a casting vote.
- A supreme court at Calcutta with
one chief justice and 3 normal judges.
- Regulating act 1773 barred the
taking of gifts by EIC officials from Indians, therefore focusing on
anti-corruption.
- 4-year tenure of directors of COD
of EIC and they could not be reappointed.
- A 5-year tenure for the
governor-general of Bengal could be reappointed and could be dismissed in
between.
- Governor of Bombay and Madaras
could be dismissed by the governor-general of Bengal if they disobey him
on matters of war and peace.
- The legislative function was given
to the supreme council of Bengal.
- Result of the act:
- The huge distance between India
and England led to poor supervision due to poor communication.
- Centralization of power in the
governor-general of Bengal began.
- Disunity in the supreme council of
Bengal and lack of veto power with the governor-general of Bengal led to
the problem of indecision.
- Vague wordings of "emergency
circumstances meet" that in practice meant the governor of Bengal and
madras acted independently in matters of war and peace like the treaty of
Surat.
- the conflict between SC in
Calcutta and GG Bengal council due to a lack of clarity in the
jurisdiction of both.
- The jurisdiction of SC was over
all British subjects residing in Bengal and their native servants.
- SC was supreme only in name as the
High court act led to 3 high courts in 3 presidencies and Culcutta HC was
Sadar Nizamat Adalat, and Sadar Diwani Adalat(SC in madras in 1800 and SC
in Bombay in 1823).
- Amending act of 1781/ Bengal
Judicature act/ Declaratory act resolved the ambiguity in the jurisdiction
between SC and the Governor-general of Bengal.
Pitt's India
act 1784 (7:38 PM)
- Public affairs of EIC and EIC's
administration in India were brought under the control of the British
parliament by setting up a board of control(BOC) in London
- For 1st time the phrase
"British possession in India" was used but the issue of
sovereignty over territory under EIC was still not decided clearly.
- BOC had 6 members including 1 of
the secretary of state(President of the board), the chancellor of the
exchequer, and 4 privy council members.
- The role of the BOC was to
superintend, direct, and control all acts, operations, and concerns
related to civil, military, and revenue government of British territorial
possessions in the east indies.
- Therefore COD of EIC was a top
authority in commercial matters and BOC in public matters.
- Therefore Pitt's India act 1784
set up a system of double government for EIC's affairs in India.
- COD to send all incoming and
count-going letters to India to BOC.
- BOC could pass binding orders and
also to the Governor-General of Bengal.
- Governor-General of Bengal now had
two bosses, therefore dual control of the Governor-General of Bengal(in
public affairs and not in commercial affairs).
- Now a principal servant of EIC
could be appointed only after the approval of the British crown, that is
Governor-General of Bengal, Governor of Madras, Governor of
Bombay, and Commander-in-chief of the EIC army.
- Therefore EIC was allowed to
retain commerce and patronage.
- The Governor-General of Bengal's
council's size was reduced to 3 members to solve the problem of indecision
and this led to an increase in the Governor-General of Bengal's power over
his council(had two votes, a normal and casting vote).
- The Governor of Madras and
the Governor of Bombay also put in a council of 3.
- Governor of Madras and
Governor of Bombay subordinated to the Governor-General of Bengal in
matters of war, peace, and revenue, and the responsibility of these 3 now
more clearly defined.
The topic for
the next class: The impact of Pitt's India act 1784
Modern Indian History Class 20
Last class
revision (5:02 PM)
Impact of
Pitt's India act, 1784 (5:21 PM)
- Dual control of GG Bengal, that is
2 bosses(BOC and COD) in practice meant no control as he could play his
two masters against each other.
- Still no veto power to the
Governor-general of Bengal therefore indecision in the supreme council of
Bengal continued.
- A conflict between the
Governor-general of Bengal and the Commander-in-Chief(CIC) of the EIC
army, as the decision of war and peace with the Governor-general of
Bengal but the right to use the army with the CIC of EIC.
- There was a ban on imperial
expansion via Pitt's India act 1784 as it stated conquest in India is
repugnant to wish, honour, and policy of the British nation, this was
because of high war expansion(1789-92 3rd Anglo Mysore war by Cornwallis,
despite a ban on conquest because Mysore excepted as an exception by the
British government).
- Wellesley changed this policy in
1798 and expansion resumed.
Amending act of
1786 (5:41 PM)
- It gave veto power to the Governor-general
of Bengal over his council in extraordinary circumstances.
- EIC was empowered to appoint the
same man to 2 posts of Governor-general of Bengal and CIC of the EIC army
to end the conflict between the two post holders.
- Therefore Cornwallis was the 1st
Governor-general of Bengal also to be CIC.
- Warren Hasting was the Ist
Governor-general of Bengal, William Bentinck was the 1st Governor-general
of India and Canning was the 1st viceroy.
- The system of controlling EIC
setup by Pitt's India act continued until 1858 with very little change.
Charter act
1793 (5:52 PM)
- Hallmark concept of Civil law
introduced in India.
- A code of all regulations for
governing Bengal was framed.
- These regulations dealt with the
rights of persons and property and contained rules and directives and
therefore bound the court to follow these regulations while passing
orders.
- All laws were to be printed in
local languages so people know their rights, privileges, and immunities.
- The size of BOC decreased and now
BOC had a president of BOC and 2 junior members who may not be from the
privy council, therefore the concentration of power in the president of
BOC increased.
- There is the concentration of
powers in the president of BOC, London, and Governor-general in India via
different acts.
- The salary of BOC is to be given
by EIC, that is by Indian taxpayer money.
- The Governor General of Bengal's
power over his council and the governor of madras and Bombay further
increased.
- Subjects of the crown can not
acquire sovereign powers over territory on their own but only on behalf of
the crown, therefore the company was to exercise political function/manage
public affairs/handle CMR matters and administration matters in India as
an agent of the British state.
Charter act
1813 (6:29 PM)
- The Hallmark of the act was the
begging of the project of the westernization of India.
- The background was the act was the
industrial revolution in Britain, therefore now Britain wanted to convert
India into a source of cheap raw materials and an export market for
British machine-manufactured finished goods
- High pressure by
manufacturers and non-EIC traders to end the monopoly of EIC over
trade/business with India that existed since the 1600 charter.
- Adam smith in his "An enquire
into nature and causes of the wealth of nations" in 1776 argued for a
free market economy, therefore the idea of monopoly can be under
criticism.
- It was argued that opening up the
Indian economy would westernize the Indian economy through the transfer of
technology and FDI, which would industrialize India, leading to better
fulfilment of the white man's burden.
- Evangelist Charles grant, a member
of COD of EIC, and Liberals and utilitarianism argued for westernizing
India to fulfil white man's burden as for them greatest of ancient Indian
civilization was a myth.
- Provision of Charter act 1813:
- The monopoly of EIC over trade
with India ended except for the monopoly of tea trade and trade with
china.
- Entry of Christian missionaries
was legalized, and therefore spread of Christianity began.
- It talked about the undoubted
sovereignty of the British crown over territorial possessions in India.
- The goal of British rule was
defined as the moral and spiritual upliftment of India.
- Therefore now there was a push
toward Christianity, western education, and socio-religious reforms
- Therefore charter 1813 was the
benchmark for the westernization of India.
Chater act
1833/Saint Helana act (7:22 PM)
- This is a landmark in the
constitutional history of India.
- As territory with EIC in India
increased and as the inflow of Britishers since 1813 increased, therefore
a need for uniform laws and administration in the whole of British India
was felt.
- Therefore Governor Bengal was
elevated to be governor-general of India with direct control over all of
the British India civil, military and revenue matters.
- The Governor General of India in
council was empowered to make laws for the whole of British India and
these laws apply to all persons.
- The Governor General of India
became the executive head o British India and now there was the
centralization of legislative and executive authority in the Governor
General of India.
- Legislative powers of the Governor
of Bombay and madras were taken away, therefore centralization that began
in 1773 peaked in 1833.
- One law member Thomas Macaulay
added to the Governor General of India's council.
- A grain of separation of power was
introduced within the Governor General of India's council.
- A law commission was set up under
Thomas Macaulay for the codification of laws which was completed by 1837.
- However, deliberation and updating
continued and full implementation was done after 1857 in the form of the
Civil procedure court 1859, the Indian penal code 1860, and the criminal
procedure code 1862.
- EIC lost its monopoly of trade
with china and tea trade in India, therefore the commercial function of
EIC ended.
- EIC now only had a political
function as an agent of the British crown.
- BOC supervisory power extended to
all administrative affairs in India.
- President of BOC now called minter
for Indian affairs.
- Judiciary opened to Indians.
- Lower civil service is now open to
Indians.
Charter act of
1853 (8:00 PM)
- This renewed the charter but not
for 20 years and only till parliament otherwise specify.
- Big blow to EIC as now patronage
of EIC was ended as the Civil services exam was introduced by Charter
1853.
- Separation of power was introduced
within the governor-general council as 6 more legal members were added
- Since Indians could give civil
service exams, covenanted civil service opened for Indians.
Government of
India act 1858 (8:06 PM)
- Administratively more continuation
than change.
- The President of BOC was replaced
by the secretary of state for India and now be central authority and
director of policy for India.
- BOC was replaced by the India council/
council of India which was to have 15 members and was headed by SOS for
India.
- Dual control of the governor
General ended as he now reported only to SOS for India.
- Governor General replaced by
Viceroy.
- No change in power of the
Governor-General.
- The sovereignty of India now with
the British crown.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar pensioned off
to Burma.
- The policy of subordinate
isolation was replaced by a policy of the sub-ordinate union, therefore
Indian rulers were legally part of the British empire in India.
- Via the royal titles act of 1876
Queen was empowered to take the tile of Kaiser-i-Hind.
- In 1877, in Delhi durbar, the
Queen's victory got coronated as Kaiser-i-Hind.
The topic of
the next class: is EIC administration.
Modern Indian History Class 21
EIC administration
(5:07 PM)
Judiciary:
- The focus of the justice system
was on a compromise between two-party and not on punishment.
- British argued that there was the
absence of a rule of law, that is equality before the law and uniform
application of law as pandits and maulvis interpreted the religious laws
differently in different cases.
- The background of the party to the
case influenced the interpretation and application of the law.
- Dual government in Bengal,
1765-72:
- Mohammad Reza Khan headed Diwani
for EIC and Nizamant on behave of Nawab.
- As EIC did not want to change the
administration much due to the ideology of orientalism, therefore Indian
officials continued to be decision-makers.
- Direct government, 1772:
- EIC implement its administration
and rule because:
- They believed that the
British administration would be more efficient leading to better law and
order and more revenue collection, which that's down since the great
Bengal famine, in 1717
- To fulfil the white man's burden
by proving a fair administration without nepotism and a rule of law
equally applicable to all Indians, therefore, ending any feudal
privileges.
- It would allow EIC to establish
its sovereignty in minds of the people
- That is to establish firm control
in the polity of Bengal by removing Indians from senior positions in the
administration.
- British judicial system in Bengal:
- Warren hastings system of 1772:
- In Diwani Adalats at the district
level, European DC was also made the judge, however, assisted by pandits
and maulvis.
- In Nizamat Adalats at the district
level, Qazis and Muftis were contained to head the court but were now put
under the supervision of European DC.
- EIC accused Pandits and Maulvis of
corruption since law and order and criminal justice were sensitive
subjects, therefore, a continuation of Qazis and Muftis.
- Sadar Diwani and Nizamat were now
to be headed by Governor General and his council members
- There was a conflict between GG of
Bengal and SC at Calcutta setup under regulation act 1773, due to a lack
of clarity in the jurisdiction of the two.
- Changes in Judiciary in 1773:
- Separation of power at the level
of European officials was implemented, that is a European officer who was
a DC was not to be a judge at the same time and vice-versa, to prevent
conflict of interest
- To bring justice physically closer
to people, Diwani Adalats at the district level were replaced with 18
Mofussil courts headed by Europen officials/judges.
- SC at Calcutta:
- Judges appointed by the crown.
- It was set up in 1774 under
regulating act of 1773.
- In 1781, the Bengal judicature act
defined the jurisdiction of SC at Calcutta as:
- All cases in Calcutta.
- All cases relating to EIC
property at fort Williams.
- All cases involving British-born
subjects, except for acts done by EIC officials in their official
capacity(these cases went to GG Bengal).
- King's bench in London heard cases
against principal servants of EIC in India(for example a corruption case
against GG Bengal).
- HC in Madras 1800 and HC in Bombay
1823.
- In 1775, a committee of 11 pandits
and in 1778 a committee of Qazis and Muftis were set up for the codification
of Hindu and Islamic law respectively so there are no different subjective
interpretations of Hindu/Islamic law.
- In 1781, a code of 1781 made
written orders compulsory and rules for courts functioning framed.
Cornwallis code
1793 (6:22 PM)
- Cornwallis reintroduced the
separation of power at the level of European DC to reduce abuse of power
by revenue officials, therefore protecting the property rights of
Zamindars.
- 4 provincial courts of appeal were
added to reduce the overall judicial burden.
- All courts were headed by European
judges, therefore Indians were removed from all senior positions in the
judiciary due to corruption by Qazis and Muftis.
- The office of Naib/Nazim was now
abolished.
- Appoimnetnet of Wakils/ lawyers
allowed to fight cases therefore a new class of lawyers emerged in India.
The judicial
system in Ryotwari areas (6:55 PM)
- Ryots were made land owners and
therefore courts were overburdened due to large numbers of property owners
and therefore a large number of revenue-related disputes.
- District courts were physically
far away for poor ryots living in the village, therefore Bengal system was
replaced in 1884 in madras on the advice of Thomas Munro.
- Separation of power was ended at
the level of DC, which was also given judicial powers so he and his
subordinates can dispose of cases at ground level.
- This also led to greater
Indianization of the judiciary at lower levels.
- Extended to Bombay in 1819,
Elphinstone.
Codification of
laws (7:01 PM)
- Under Macaulay, the legal member
was added to the Governor General of India council via the Charter of
1833.
- The result was CPC, IPC, and CrPC
codes.
- Indian High Courts act 1861, led
to 3 high courts in 3 presidencies in 1865 example SC at Calcutta, Sadar
Diwani, and Nizamat were merged from the HC of Culcutta.
Police (7:07
PM)
- The Mughal system of police
continued until 1781.
- 1781 system of Warren Hastings:
- Zamindars at the village level
reported to DC/DM.
- Zamindars atrocities because of
improper supervision due to an inadequate number of DC.
- Cornwallis system/Daroga system:
- At district level DC/DM and below
then Daroga at thana level.
- Each thana had 30 sq. miles of the
area under it.
- Police powers of Zamindars taken
way.
- The district was divided into
thanas.
- The result was the system failed
and the Daroga-Zamindar nexus became an instrument of coercion in the
1800s as zamindar bribed Darogas, therefore illegally having armed men.
- Cornwallis blamed Indians for the
negatives of the system.
- It was applied to Madras in 1802
and the negatives of this led to its removal and police powers were given
to lower bureaucrats under DC/DM, which led to oppression by Mirasidars.
- Indian police act 1861:
- Therefore for the 1st time, a
well-defined hierarchy of specialists with a clear chain of command from
top to bottom was set up.
- After the 1857 revolt, the British
ensured Indias are excluded from all senior positions
- Police Commission 1902 recommended
the appointment of educated Indians in the police force, however, Indian
stopped in ranks where European. began because the British did not trust
Indians.
Civil services
(7:32 PM)
- Cornwallis reduced patronage, that
is promoted merit-based selection, increased salaries to curb corruption,
ended private trade by EIC officials, and reintroduced separation of power
at the level of DC.
- Cornwallis is also known as the
father of civil services.
- He organized civil service into
covenanted and uncovenanted civil service.
- In 1833 lower bureaucracy and
judicial positions opened to Indians by Charter 1833.
- In 1853 covenanted civil service
was opened to Indians as Charter 1853 prescribed an exam for civil service
that was opened to Indians.
- In 1855, 1st civil service exam
was held.
- With the 1857 revolt, the British
ensured that the exam continues to be held only in London and the age
limit was kept low.
- In 1860, there was pressure from
the Indian national movement for the Indianization of civil service.
- In 1878, Lytton brought the statutory
civil services act of 1878.
- Under statutory civil services,
Indians could be nominated to officer rank but Lytton ensured that only
loyal Indians are nominated.
- In the Indian council act of 1892,
statutory civil service was abolished and covenanted CS was renamed to
Indian CS, and uncovenanted rearranged to provincial CS.
- GoI act 1919, the decision for
simultaneous CS exam in India and 1st held in 1922.
The topic of
the next class: Socio-religious reforms.
Modern Indian History Class 22
A Brief Overview
of the Previous Class:(05:29:00 PM)
Social
Religious Reform:(05:32:00 PM)
- Introduction:
- Till 1813 orientalist ideology
operated therefore non-interference by the British in the socio-religious
domain.
- This was also beacuse of the
desire to prevent the negative reaction from Indians.
- However 1813+Orientalism gave way
to liberalism, evangelicalism, and utilitarianism, therefore the push for
the westernization of India.
- Therefore western education and
social reforms were introduced by the British mainly after 1813.
- Regarding education, the debate on
western education vs Indian education from 1813-33,- Settled in 1835, in
favor of western education, in the English language via Macaulay's Minute
on education in 1835.
Reasons for Push
for Western Education:(05:41:00 PM)
- 1. Decrease the cost of
administration by having Indians in lower bureaucracy.
- 2. Create a loyal class in form of
the educated middle class(Brown Sahebs) argued Macaulay- That is Indian
from outside British from Inside as western education glorified the
British, therefore increasing the stability of the British Rule.
- 3. To create a market for British
goods and therefore increase British exports.
- 4. Middle-class Indians supported
western education due to their personal interests in jobs created by
British rule(bureaucracy, lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers, etc.) +
they believed that only western education and western sciences can
modernize India and lead to industrialization.
- For educated Indians social
reforms were also a response to the British civilizational critique of
India that increased in the 19th century and now the British argued that
the greatness of Indian civilization was a myth.
- Therefore cultural nationalism was
a reason for social reforms as reformers wanted to prove that:
- a. Indian scriptures do not
support social ills.
- b. To prove that in practice India
can achieve the greatness of the past and therefore Indian civilization
was not inferior.
Two groups of
early social reformers(1st half of 19th century:(06:01:00 PM)
- 1. Those who relied purely on
logic/reasons/rationality to argue for social reforms.
- 2. Those who use scriptures to
argue for social reforms and therefore tried to find support for
logic/reasons/rationality in Indian scriptures.
- Therefore they argued that true
Indian religion supports social reforms and is in line with the Doctrine
of Reason and Humanism.
- Humanism= focus on the happiness
of Man in all spheres of life.
- This was also to have greater
acceptability of suggested reforms.
- However, for both kinds of
reformers logic/reasons/rationality was infallible(non-negotiable)
therefore even when they(2nd kind) argued that Vedas are superior, in case
of a clash between reason and scriptures, they would support the reason,
and would argue for re-interpretation or even change in scriptures.
Print Culture:(06:13:00 PM)
- There was a push to promote print
culture by British men like John Malcolm(Governor of Bombay), Charles
Metcalfe(GGI 1835-36), etc.
- Western-educated middle class also
took to print culture and therefore there was the development of press and
journalism in India.
- Social reformers used the press as
the main tool for discussing and debating the western sciences,
scriptures, and social reforms.
- Social Issues:
- Idol worship, Priestcraft, child
marriage, no widow marriage, infanticide, casteism, polygamy, and
polytheism.
- Wellesley Banned Child Sacrifices
in Sagar Island, Bay of Bengal.
- Henry Vivivan Derazio and his
Young Bengal Movement(1830s)-
- Derozio was a Eurasian teacher at
Hindu College, Calcutta, and he and his students= are Young Bengal.
- Their primary focus was on using
reason/rationality, questioning everything, western sciences, and on
atheism.
- Therefore they argued for the
reforms only based on the Doctrine of reason and negated religion.
- Derozio instigated free thinking
among his students, they intellectually challenged orthodoxy in Hinduism.
- Like RRR(Raja Ram Mohan Roy), The
Young Bengal also demanded trial by jury, separation of powers,
Indianization of Civil Services, and freedom of the press- Demands outside
social reforms.
- They set up the Society for the
acquisition of general Knowledge(1838) where they debated/discussed
western sciences and social reforms.
- Result= failed because they could
not develop any mass movement for social reforms due to their total faith
in logic reason, rationality, and no regard for religion while the target
population was deeply religious.
- Therefore they got alienated from
the masses.
- However, they became famous due to
their radical ideas(they Became notorious for eating non-veg and drinking
wine).
Raja Ram Mohan
Roy & his Brahmo Samaj(1828)(06:57:00 PM)
- RRR is called the father of modern
India.
- A student and scholar of Vedas,
Christianity, Persian, and Sanskrit literature.
- He came to believe that Vedas are
the superior and supported doctrine of reason.
- RRR believed that social reforms
are not possible without religious reforms as many social practices were
rooted in religion and the high importance of religion in Indian social
life.
- RRR was against other
worldliness+ against the doctrine of Karma(Acts of Past life determining
the present life)+ against the doctrine of the incarnation(God's human
births).
- However, Brahmo Samaj(BS)(1828)
took no definitive stand regarding Karma and the transmigration of the
Soul(Rebirth) and left the belief to individual Brahmo Samajists.
- (Positives, for example, good
deeds in the present life for a better next life + removal of fear of
death due to next birth,+ These two are among the core belief of Hinduism,
therefore preventing alienation from the masses).
- His response to the British
criticism was to go back to the pure past of Vedas(Ideal social life),
therefore agreeing that there is degeneration in the present time.
- But also argued in favor of the glorious
ancient past.
- However, for him, rationality was
infallible and not the Vedas.
- Wanted Western education and
western sciences instead of Indian education as for him only western
education could modernize India(*Indian polity, economy, and society).
- Example, opposed the setting up of
Sanskrit College in Calcutta in 1824 by the government. (wanted tax
payer's money to be spent on western education).
- His ideas and efforts influenced
the decision in favor of western education in the English language by Macaulay's
Minute(1835), which became the main policy document on education in India.
- For achieving social reforms he
set up BS(1828).
- BS worked against idolatry,
priestcrafts, Sati, and Polytheism.
- RRR argued that caste divides
which is why modern nationalism and a sense of unity lacking among the
Indians.
- RRR used Upanishads and translated
them to Banga- to prove that Hinduism favors Monotheism(that there is only
one God within Hinduism )and universalism(Hindu god= Christian God=
Islamic God= God is one.)
- RRR took the help of the British
authority (legislative, executive, and judiciary authority of British) and
of British personalities for his social reforms.
- For example, worked with William
Bentic, for the abolition of Sati.
- Sati:
- Reasons:
- Greed of relatives was the primary
reason as they did not want to share the property with the widow.
- Stereotype of an ideal wife.
- Sati was not a widespread
phenomenon and existed mainly in Bengal among the upper castes.
- Earlier in Viajaynagar Empire+
Rajputana as Jauhar, but for diffrent reasons(Chastity/dignity.)
- In the 1800s, it was started even
in lower castes due to desire for the social mobility(better status for
one's caste in the caste hierarchy).
- Missionaries opposed Sati but
failed, therefore the main role of Roy in the Sati abolition in 1829.
- Scriptures-based debates took
place between reformists BS and orthodox sections led by Dharma Sabha of
Radha Kanta Deb.
- William Bentic made it a
precondition for the abolition of Sati by law, that it be proven
that Sati is not in line with the scriptures. (Notice the orientalism of
Betic)
- Roy proved that "Sati is the
murder as per every Shastra". Sati abolition Act 1892 was passed.
Brahmo
Samaj(BS)1828:(07:46:00 PM)
- Debendra Nath Tagore(DBT):
- He took over leadership after the
death of Roy(1833).
- Brahmoism/BS was a major religious
movement based on monotheism among the educated middle-class upper castes
Bengalis(Not among the masses).
- DBT gave organizational strength
to BS.
- Keshab Chandra Sen(KCS) was a
radical reformer while DBT was a gradualist(wanted gradual reforms)(*Mild
goals Mild methods).
- KCS was radical as he argued
strongly in favor of women-related reforms. For example, against child
marriage and pro-widow remarriage(WR)+ attacked casteism and questioned
high caste leadership of BS, and supported inter-caste marriages.
- Issues of caste and women were
considered sensitive by gradualists like DBT in the early 19th century.
Therefore DBT feared the alienation of Hindus from BS.
- KSC tried to make BS a mass
movement by spreading it among the common man, outside Calcutta, and even
outside Bengal.
- KCS started missionary
activities(wanted Brahmoism as an alternate religion to Hinduism) while
DBT did not want this. (Strong methods)
- Radicalism of KCS and differences
with DBT caused a split, therefore KCS set up BSOI(Brahmo Samaj of
India,1866) and DBT set up Adi Brahmo Samaj, 1866(Adi=Origianl).
- Efforts of KCS led to the Brahmo
Marriages Act, of 1872, under which WR and intercaste marriages were legally
valid(Lord Mayo). It failed because it required the Bride and groom to
leave Hinduism and convert to Brahmoism.
- Fruthe split in BSOI when KCS
married off his married his minor daughter, therefore now the formation of
the Sadharan BS(1878)
- Therefore BS failed due to
personality differences in goals and methods and due to multiple splits.
Maharashtra:(08:10:00 PM)
- 1. Paramhansa Mandali(1849):
- It worked like Young Bengal,
therefore failed like them.
- 2. Prathan Samaj(PS 1867):
- Set up by Atmaram Pandurang+ efforts
of KCS.
- Main personalities: MG Ranade, RG
Bhandarkar, and KT Telang.
- Strong Goals but mild methods.
- Focussed on social reforms
including issues of women and caste, therefore had goals like KCS, but
followed the method of gradualism as did not want a break from Hinduism,
therefore methods like DBT.
- PS opened branches outside
Maharashtra. For example, Gujarat, Karachi, and Madras.
- (Slow progress of social reforms
in madras due to high casteism + slow progress of western education.)
Topics for the
next class: Child Mariage,
and other social reforms.
Modern Indian History Class 23
Child marriage
(5:00 PM)
- Reasons:
- The Gharbhandhan ceremony has a
religious basis as per which marriage before puberty and consummation of
marriage post-puberty.
- Due to religious basis, not just a
socio-religious issue, therefore high use of scriptures by reforms and
orthodox Hindus.
- Efforts of Vidyasagar led to the
age of consent act of 1860, which set the minimum age of consummation at
10 years.
- AK Dutt cited medical opinion
against child marriage.
- Rukhmabai case, 1884-88:
- Rukhmabai was married as an infant
and after a decade of separate living, she argued that marriage was
invalid.
- 22 years Rukhmabai was taken to
court by her husband for denial of conjugal rights.
- Rukhmabai's defence committee of
reforms was led by Malabari whose 1884 note on child marriage and enforced
widowhood has created enormous controversy.
- The Orthodox Hindu supported
Rukhmabai's husband.
- Rukhmabai lost the case.
- Two years later in 1890 death of
11-year-old Phulmoni due to sexual abuse by her husband led to the age of
consent bill 1891, which set the minimum age of consummation at 12 years.
- Now a massive controversy as
orthodox Hindus who controlled the masses opposed the bill.
- Tilak argued that the British had
no right to interfere in Indian customs and religion and that any reform
should be the product of not government action but social movements of
Indians.
- RG Bhandarkar of Pune Deccan
college showed by research on Dharmashartas that Hinduism allows marriage
post-puberty.
- Overall reforms against child
marriage failed.
Widow
Remarriage (5:20 PM)
- The problem of child widows
existed existed existed existed existed existed due to child marriage and
the high age gap.
- Efforts of Vidyasagar led to the
Hindu Widow remarriage act of 1856, however upon remarriage, the woman
lost the right to the property of her dead husband.
- In Maharastra Vishnu Shastri
Pandit in 1866 and Telugu-speaking areas of Madras Vir Salingam Pantalu
set up a society for Widow remarriage, therefore the debate continued even
after the 1856 law.
- Jyotiba Phule in Maharashtra made
efforts among lower castes for Widow remarriage but he failed.
- Pandita Ramabai in Maharastra
married late and married a man from a lower caste
- She later got widowed and worked
for women-related reforms.
- She set up a widow's home in
Maharastra.
- Orthodox Hindus finally won the
scripture-based debates, that is Hinduism does not allow widow remarriage.
- Due to huge debate, the issue
became popular and now the lower caste, which earlier practised widow
remarriage stopped it.
- By the 1900s only 38 Widow
remarriage in Maharastra.
- It succeeded only in Haryana as
here it was already being practised.
The character
of reforms (5.33 PM):
- These reforms were led by upper
caster western educated brahmins.
- Major focus on women-related
reforms, since the British used the benchmark of the status of women to
decide the status of civilization.
- However no leadership of women,
and this hurt success of reforms.
- They were led by brahmins but were
anti-priest.
- They were a response to the
criticism of Indian civilization by the British that increased post-1813.
- They were inspired by the doctrine
of reason and Humanism.
- Reliance on British legislative
and executive authority, therefore top-down reforms and not based on any
mass movement.
- This hurt the success of reforms
and reformers did not even try to build a mass movement.
- For example, Roy used complex
sanskrtized Bengali Pores not understood by the common man.
- Prathana samaj only had 72
members, therefore reforms target was only the upper caste.
- Also, the leadership of only the
upper caste, therefore lower castes could not associate, and no women
leadership, thus no mass movement
- The use of British authority led
to distrust among the masses towards reforms.
- The primary importance was of
scriptures as reforms, Orthodox section and British gave primary
importance to scriptures.
- Therefore reforms searched for
modernity/rationality within scripture and did not suggest the adoption of
British culture on grounds that it was superior.
- Reformers stayed largely silent on
issues of castism and even on women's issues in the early phase, as these
issues were considered too sensitive and reformers feared alienation from
upper-caste Hindus and they were themselves from upper caste and therefore
neglected caste issues.
- Most followed the method of
gradualism.
- There existed rival organizations
of the orthodox section having greater support from the masses.
- Differences in goals and methods
contributed to the failure of reforms like in Bharmo samaj.
Post-1857
reformers (6:06 PM):
- Post-1857, there was a shift toward
greater cultural nationalism and also towards revivalism from the
reformism of pre-1857.
- Revivalism meant a stronger
assertion of Indian traditions.
- There was now greater assertion
based on cultural nationalism by reformers as well like Ramkrishna Paramhans,
Swami Vivekananda, and Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
- As per negative revivalism Hindu
past was glorious and degeneration took place under Muslim and Christain
rule, also not just Hinduism is superior but other religions are inferior.
- In contrast, culturally
nationalist reformers believed in universalism that all religions lead to
God and that God is one.
- Ramkrishna Paramhans:
- He was an ascetic.
- He believed in mediation,
renunciation, and monotheism.
- He did not directly criticize
colonial rule but due to his pure focus on Hinduism, rejected western
values indirectly.
- Swami Vivekananda:
- He believed in the superiority of
Hinduism but also in Universalism.
- He set up the Ramakrishnan mission
in name of his guru in 1897 to spread ideas of Vedanta and social work.
- He argued that a Christian could
be a better Christain if he followed the Philosophy of Vedanta, therefore
did not focus on conversion but on the values of Vedanta.
- He argued for the idea of Daridra
Narayan, that God Resides in everyone including the poor and that service
of Jeeva is the worship of Shiva, therefore believed in social work as a
path to spiritualism.
- Argued that Indian masculinity is
superior to western masculinity as the former focus not just on physical
strength but also on mental spirituality.
- Therefore Indians are not feminine
as argued by the British and Indian masculinity is superior, he started a
movement for setting up Akharas/gyms.
- He believed in the supremacy of
Vedas and accepted idolatry and some Hindu rituals as they simply help
develop religiosity, this led to his greater acceptability in the masses.
- He represented Hinduism at the
parliament of religions in Chicago, USA in 1893, therefore raising the
prestige of Indian culture, and argued here that western materialism and
Indian spirituality should come together for the welfare of mankind.
- Netaji Bose called him the
spiritual father of INM in Bengal, therefore represents cultural
nationalism and pride without being communal.
Arya Samaj,
1875 (6:48 PM):
- It was started by Swami Dayananda
Saraswati a radical reform.
- He believed in Vedas are
infallible(supremacy of Vedas).
- Real scientific truths and
rationality are there in the Vedas.
- Promoted Hinduism as a religion of
books (book authority is final) like Islam and Christianity.
- The goal was to go back to the
pure Vedic past.
- therefore Arya samaj was an
aggressive response to British criticism and racism.
- Strongly argued against caste
system and untouchability and promoted intercaste marriages.
- Supported varnashrama for organizing
society.
- He strongly opposed idolatry,
priestcraft, infanticide, child marriage, polytheism, and polygamy.
- He strongly supported widow
remarriage and women's education.
- Failed because demanded radical
reforms therefore did not get the support of orthodox Hindus and
gradualist reforms.
- Was successful in Punjab and the
northwest provinces
- After 1883 Arya samaj became
revivalist and now began the Shuddhi movement for conversion to the Hindu
movement
- In response, Sikhs started the
Singh sabha movement and Muslims started Tanzim and Tabligh movement.
- Arya samaj also began the Cow
protection movement and there were communal riots in 1893, therefore
increase in communal tensions post-1883.
Peasants
revolts and Tribal uprisings (7:25 PM):
- Was the 1857 revolt the
culmination of small and big rebellions in 1st 100 years of British rule?
- Highlight the similarity between
the various grievances and causes.
- As previous efforts failed they
rose in collectivity in 1857.
- Grievances of peasants in
pre-1857:
- Farming system of 1772 Bengal-
oppression by revenue farmers who overexerted land revenue and had the
support of British officials.
- In Permanent settlement, 1793 main
oppressor was zamindar who extracted high rents and extracted Abwabs which
were now illegal and had no occupant rights for tenants and Ryots.
- Zamindars were supported by
British officials and courts.
- In Ryotwadi and Mahalwari systems,
there was high land revenue by the British, loss of land in a government
auction, high-interest rates by money lenders, and loss of land due to
indebtedness to money lenders.
- Contact farming oppression by
indigo planters in Bengal who forced ryots to cultivate indigo in 25% of
occupied land, indebtedness to planters who forced ryots to take advances
for buying indigo seeds and seeds drills.
- Ryots were not given a
remunerative price for indigo cultivation which led to the continuation of
indebtedness, therefore ryots against forces to take further loans from
planters to cultivate indigo.
- Soil productivity is greatly by
indigo cultivation, if ryots refuse then vacated from the land by
planters, which is no occupancy rights.
- Therefore oppressor is the indigo
planter and British courts since the contract is enforceable and oppressed
by Indian agents of planters.
- The grievance was that religion
was under threat due to Christian missionaries and the British ending
revenue or rent-free tenure on lands of religious sects.
- Religion helped in giving
organization in form of leaders and unity among those who revolted
especially when a sect revolted.
The topic of
the next class: Grievances of tribals.
Modern Indian History Class 24
Tribal
Grievances (5:02 PM)
- The two issues were tribal
autonomy and living in the forest.
- The grievance was that their
agrarian order and life were turned upside down by British rule and
outsiders in form of:
- British laws.
- British land revenue system.
- British government officials.
- Outsiders in form of zamindars,
revenue farmers, merchants, and money lenders.
- British businesses due to railroad
constructions, mining, and commercial exploitation of the forest, for
example, greed for timber.
- Christain missionaries for the
spread of Christianity.
- The primary concern of the British
was land revenue extraction, therefore in many cases, zamindars of planes
were made landowners of tribal areas.
- Forest land was farmed out to
revenue farmers.
- In some cases, the tribal chief
was recognized as the land owner and tribals as tenants, and in some cases
tribals as land owners.
- Now there was indebtedness to
moneylenders due to now land revenue system of the British and oppression
on account of high land revenue.
- Tribals lost land to outsiders.
- The autonomy of tribal chiefs and
tribals was hurt because of the application of British law in civil and
criminal matters.
- British law banned Jhum
cultivation/Podu/Slash & Burn cultivation and banned hunting because
the British wanted to settle peasant communities for easy land revenue
collection and maximize land revenue.
- There was the loss of homes for
tribals because British forest law categorizes forests into reserves where
no access to tribals( protected), where tribals can use forest produce but
only for personal consumption and not for sale, and uncategorized that
were open to all.
- Loss of home due to land
acquisition on account of railroad projects.
- Tribals were made to force labour
on these projects.
- Missionaries post-1813 led to
religious interference.
- Peasant revolts were civil
uprisings where leadership was provided by elites like Rajas, nobility,
Zamindars, etc.
- The INM leaders called the
Pre-1857 revolt the prehistory of modern nationalism.
- Western-educated middle class
supported and benefited from British rule while peasants and tribals
defied British rule violently.
Civil uprisings
pre-1857 (5:30 PM)
- Raja Chait Singh of Banaras
revolted because removed due to non-payment of revenue, 1778-81.
- Deposed Nawab Wazir Al in Awadh
revolted in 1799 with present support.
- Bundela chiefs of Bundelkhand
revolted with peasant support due to interference by British resident
post-subsidiary alliance signed after the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war 1803-05.
- Poligars revolted from 1799-1805
due to loss of status due to British rule of law and Ryotwari in madras
and high land revenue demand that hurt ryots.
- Dewan Velu Thampi of Travancore
revolted with peasant support in 1809 due to interference by the British
resident post-subsidiary alliance of 1805.
Revolts where
peasants took initiative pre-1857 (5:40 PM)
- Rangpur rebellion in 1783 in north
Bengal against oppression by revenue farmers.
- Mysore 1830-31, the revolt by
peasants against the Wodyer dynasty and British agents due to high Land
revenue.
- Religion played important role in
following the pleasant revolt.
- Sanyasi and Fakir rebellion in
Bengal and Bihar from 1760-1850 with a peak in 1800 where 50,000 members
fought against the British.
- The reasons were high rents, the
end of rent-free tenures, and the domination of the domestic trade of
Bengals by EIC agents.
- Pagalpanthis revolt in east Bengal
in 1823-33 due to oppression by zamindars under the permanent settlement.
- Titu Mir in 24 Parganas in 1831
due to oppression by zamindars and indigo planters.
- Faraizi revolt in the 1830s in
Bengal by Dudu Main due to oppression by zamindars and indigo planters.
- Mapilla/Moplah revolt in Malabar
in 1840s:
- They were the Muslim ryots.
- It was against the oppression by
big landlords that were Janmies who were Hindu.
- It took communal colour because of
the specific identities of ryots and landlords.
Tribals
uprising Pre-1857 (5:50 PM)
- Kol uprising 1831-32:
- In the Chotanagpur and Singhbubham
regions of Bihar and Orissa
- The reason was the influx of
outsiders.
- When the raja of Chotanagpur
farmed out lands to merchants and moneylenders.
- Khasi uprising 1833:
- The reason was Brahmaputra valley
and Sylhet road led to the loss of land and influx of outsiders that is
British businesses and British officials.
- It was led by Tirith Singh.
- Santhal rebellion, 1855-56:
- By santhals under Sido and Kahnu
Murmu.
- The reason was the loss of their
fatherland in Rajamahal hills(Jharkhand) to outsiders(Dikus).
- British gave tribal land to
non-Santhal zamindars and moneylenders and there was also railroad
construction.
- 50,000 Santhals died fighting.
Characters of
pre-1857 revolts (5:57 PM)
- Modern nationalism was missing as
were not all-India movements.
- No coordination with each other.
- No outside leaders.
- Lack of proper planning.
- Was spontaneous in many cases.
- The goal was not democracy.
- However, they are called the
prehistory of modern nationalism as they were political and had
anti-colonial sentiment.
- A political movement has an
ideology, organization, or program and is public.
- Ideology was there as they wanted
to bring back the moral order disturbed by British rule.
- Therefore anti-colonial ideology
was there.
- Political symbolism was there in
form of grand marches and an example idea of fatherland/Damien-i-Koh of
Santhals.
- Religion-based bonds in form of
sects provided organization and leaders.
- The organization was evident as in
many cases they set up their government, collected self-imposed tax, and
set up their courts.
- Programs were there, large
meetings were held and planning was done by Santhals.
- Peasants and tribals knew their
oppressors and tools of oppression, they did not attack the life of
oppressors in many cases but their property, and account books of money
lenders.
- Santhals declared that
traditionally they have hunted animals and now they hunt their oppressors.
- Crimes were done secretly while
political action was public and their revolt was public, for example,
Santhals gave a prior warning to the British in 1855 before revolting.
Tribal revolt
Post-1857 (6:48 PM)
- Munda/Ulgulan revolt,1899-1900:
- In chotanagpur ledby Birsa munda.
- The reason was the loss of land to
outsiders and missionary activities by Christian missionaries.
- The action was people came to
believe in the supernatural power of Birsa, therefore religion, in this
case, gave them the courage to rise against the mighty British.
- Religion also provided narrative
as Brisa compared British rule with Kalyuga and similar to the rule of
Ravana's wife Mandodiri.
- Political symbolism was present as
Munda's revolted on Christmas of 1899.
- Rampa/Fituri Rebellion,1879:
- In Rama Hills of Andra Pradesh.
- The reasons were:
- Commercial exploitation of
forests.
- Road construction led to the loss
of land.
- Loss of land to merchants and
moneylenders.
- Restrictions on the use of forest
resources.
- Prohibitions on Podu.
- Tax on Toddy.
- Fituri was led by Muttdaras who
were local estate holders/land owners.
- It was crushed by 1880 and in
1920-22 NCM tribals did the violation of forest laws and then Alluri
Sitarama Raju who had led the Gandhian struggle revolted violently as he
believed that India can be liberated only by force.
- Therefore now continued the
tradition of Fituri and he was executed in 1924.
Early Indian
National movement/post-1857 peasant movements and revolts (7:03 PM)
- New features emerged in the
peasant moment of post-1857.
- Peasants showed greater awareness
of British laws and institutions and organized themself politically.
- Now middle class began taking up
leadership of peasants, therefore, beginning of early INM.
- Indigo revolt, 1859-63 in Bengal:
- Background:
- In 1788, EIC began indigo
plantations by giving loans to 10 European planters in Bengal.
- European planters leased land from
Zamindars(forced by EIC).
- The Indigo system of cultivation
was the Nij cultivation of Bengal.
- Planters bought or hired land and
hired labour for the cultivation of indigo had to buy large lands and
mobilize labour and bullocks which was a challenge.
- In the Ryoti system, Bengal leased
large land from Zamindars, and planters signed contracts with tenant ryot
where ryot must grow indigo on at least 25% of occupied land.
- Planters gave advances and loans
on low-interest rates to ryot and gave indigo and seed drills.
- The Tinkathia system in
Bihar was the same as the Ryoti system but here forced to grow indigo
on 15% or 3/20 of occupied land.
- In pre-1857 revolts aginst indigo
planters were Titu Mir in 24 parganas and Faraizi revolt under Dudu Mian
in east bengal.
- Fertility of soil destroyed by
Indio cultivation.
- The revolt began due to a fall in
international prices of indigo and forced cultivation and perpetual
indebtedness to planters.
- The trigger was emphatic LG of
Bengal who asked DCs to take the side of ryots.
- Ryots refused advances and refused
to cultivate indigo and did a social boycott of agents of indigo planters.
- Zamindars support ryots as against
the domination of the rural economy by indigo planters.
- Use of British courts as planters
went to court to enforce contracts of indigo cultivation.
- Now ryots began the no-rent
campaign and planters tried to evict ryots.
- Now ryots went to court to enforce
their occupancy right under the rent act 1859.
- Role of educated middle-class and
Christain missionaries:
- Dinbandhu Mitra wrote the play,
Neel Darpan, in 1860, which showed the oppression of ryots and therefore
increased awareness.
- Bengali poet Micheal Madhusudan
Dutta translated the play into English and Christian missionary James Long
published it leading to awareness in England.
- Indain press began campahin by
writing editorials.
- British Indian Association 1851,
an organization of landlords supported ryots, resulted in the Indigo
commission 1860.
- It asked Ryot to fulfil present
contracts but was free to not sign contracts in the future.
- Therefore by 1863 Indigo
cultivation sifted from Bengal to Bihar in form of the Tinkathia system.
- Pabna Agrarian league, 1873:
- There Grievance was high land and
illegal Abwabs, and Zamindars not respecting occupancy rights under the
rent act 1859.
- The action was peasants organized
themself into leagues and pooled money to fight in courts, Naya Mian
replicated the movements in other districts.
- The result was the Bengal tenancy
act which gave more protection to tenants regarding occupancy rights.
- The educated middle class got
divided as it was not foreigners who were under attack but Indian
Zamindars.
- Deccan riots 1875, Maharashtra:
- During the US civil war, there was
an increase in cotton prices but later the price fell.
- The Grievance was that oppression
by Moneylenders via high-interest rates on loans, loss of lands due
to indebtedness, high land revenue in Ryotwari, and loss of land in a
government auction.
- The action was Poona Sarvajanik
Sabha 1870 of middle class collected 17,000 signatures on the power of
attorney to represent ryot in front of the British government.
- Therefore government agreed that
confiscation of land on non-payment of land would be the last resort of
the government for recovering land revenue.
- However, moneylenders now refused
loans therefore ryots were unable to pay land revenue and a violent revolt
began in 1875.
- Life of moneylenders was not
attacked but only debt bonds were burned, therefore ryot was aware of the
tool of oppression.
- The result was the Deccan agriculturist
relief act, of 1879, which regulated interest rates and gave protection
against the loss of lands due to indebtedness.
The topic of
the next class: Pre-INC organizations.
Modern Indian History Class 25
The emergence
of the Indian National Movement (INM) until the formation of INC? (5:02 PM):
- Mention various revolts before
INC.
- Some organizations before INC.
- Evolution of INM:
- Indian National Movement was a
product of the negativities of British rule.
- Gradual progress from regional to
national organizations and from moderates to extremists to the
revolutionary phase.
- Nationalism at the organized level
at the top, as against peasant struggle on the ground emerged in the
second half of the 19th century.
- The first contribution to modern
politics and modern nationalism came from educated zamindars.
- British Indian Association 1851
(BRIA 1851) - in Bengal:
- The first major voluntary
organization in India comprised educated zamindars.
- Though it represented zamindar
interests, it was an all-Indian organization.
- It was different from Dwarkanath
Tagor's Landholder Society 1838, which had many non-official
Anglo-Indians/British.
- Bombay Association1852 and Madras
Native Association 1852 had similar features.
- The objectives of these
organizations were to send petitions to the British Parliament, which was
drafting the Charter Act of 1853.
- They worked to raise legitimate
demands of Indians and not just of landlords, thus forming a fraternity of
nationalism.
- The issue with these organizations
was that they would send three separate petitions to London and not just a
single petition. Thus, there was a lack of coordination among these
organizations.
- The demand of these organizations:
- Complained about expenses and
incompetent administration, high taxation, neglect of education and public
works, and monopoly in salt and opium production/trade (i.e. opening these
sectors to Indians).
- Therefore they didn't oppose
British rule (Angrezo Bharat Choro) but highlighted that Indians are not
benefited from British rule.
- These conservatives were the first
contributor to modern nationalism.
- They failed to achieve their
objectives because the British assumed unconditional loyalty of the landed
and educated class as they were major beneficiaries of British rule.
- However, post-1857 revolt,
leadership was provided by the landed class and Indian princes. Instead of
their support, the British nominated them into councils set up under the
Indian Councils Act 1861 (ICA -1861)
General factors
behind the rise of INM: (05:45 PM)
- The rapid spread of western
education post-1857:
- Inspired by the ideas of modern
nationalism, the educated middle class took leadership of the Indian
national movement
- British wanted to create Brown
Sahebs, however, this middle-class intelligentsia used education to
develop a criticism of British rule. It gained momentum, especially when
the educated middle class realized that the British had no intention of
sharing power with Indians.
- However uneven growth of western
education led to the uneven growth of INM.
- For example, since education was
not free and the British adopted the downward filtration theory, the upper
caste benefited more than the lower caste.
- Bombay, Madras, and Bengal
benefitted more than other regions.
- Within Presidencies, the
Presidency town benefitted more than other areas.
- The middle class benefited more
than the peasantry.
- Benefits were cornered by
communities like Marathi, Tamilians, Bengalis, and Hindus as compared to
other communities like Gujarati, Telugu, Malayali, Odiya, Assamese, and
Muslims.
- The result was the growth of
political activities in more educated areas and groups.
- The rapid development of the
press:
- The educated middle class used the
press as a tool to raise the demand for Indians and spread nationalistic
ideas.
- For example- by 1875 there were
roughly 400 Indian newspapers in English and vernacular with a readership
of more than 1.5 lakhs.
- As a result, the press increased
political consciousness, boosted inter-regional awareness and fraternity
- Colonial institutions:
- Legislative councils helped the
growth of INM as educated Indians campaigned for Council reforms.
Post-1892 moderates used Councils for demanding the rights of Indians.
- Growth of railways and telegraph
networks:
- It led to greater
interconnectedness.
- This allowed greater interaction
with regional leaders.
- Greater inter-regional awareness
among leaders of INM led to the development of pan-India leaders.
Negatives of
British rule contributed to the rise of INM: (6:05 PM)
- Racial tensions led to opposition
to British rule:
- Lex-Loci Act was passed despite
huge opposition by Hindus.
- Black Acts
1850 brought British-born subjects of the Presidency town, under the
criminal jurisdiction of the Ordinary Court, with Indians as judges (1833
- Judiciary opened to Indians). The act was put on hold due to high
opposition by Anglo-Indians. Therefore, conflict increased the
psychological distance between the two races.
- Rise of cultural nationalism in
response to increased racism and criticism of Indian civilization post-1857.
- Taxation without representation
(TWR):
- No tax without representation is
the core principle of democracy.
- Income Tax
(1860, 1868) - In the 1860s and 70s India witnessed famine in its
different parts, despite this Income Tax was introduced in 1860. This led
to massive protests in the press, as a result, it was withdrawn, but
reintroduced in 1868. Therefore, taxation without representation became a
grievance of educated Indians.
- Higher expenditure on home charges
and the army combined with the increase in taxes, while expenditure in
higher education decreased in the 1870s.
- Due to increased agitation by
educated Indians, the press supported by the Anglo-Indians began
propaganda that educated Indians are becoming seditious. Therefore, in
1870 government decreased expenditure on higher education in Bengal.
- Administration of Lyton (1876-80):
- Decreased the age limit for civil
services examination was from 21 to 19 years in 1876, while demand for
simultaneous exams in India was neglected. Therefore he distrusted Indians
and did not want their representation in senior positions.
- Statutory Civil Services Act,
1878: Lyton created statutory civil service to operationalize provisions
of an 1870 law by the British Parliament that wanted more Indians in civil
services.
- Lytton however insured that only
loyalists were nominated to statutory civil services, in which entry was
through a nomination and not examination. Thus, from 1877-80, a huge press
campaign was started for the Indianisation of civil services by western educated
Indians.
- Imperial or Delhi Durbar (1877):
Here Queen Victoria got coronated with the title of Kaisar-i-Hind or
Empress of India. Therefore, huge expenditures were incurred while the
subcontinent witnessed frequent famines. (Can be used in no taxation
without representation as expenditure of taxes without the consent of
people)
- Vernacular Press Act, 1878: To
curb freedom of the press as the vernacular press was becoming
increasingly critical of the British.
- Printers and publishers of the
vernacular press have to deposit money as an advance that could be
forfeited by the government if they published any objectionable content
(i.e. anti-British). This led to huge agitation in the press by educated
Indians. Even British parliamentarian Gladstone (a liberal) criticized the
act.
- Arms Act, 1878: Indians required a
license to own arms, while Europeans and Eurasians did not therefore,
racism was in operation. B.C. Pal started agitation against the Arms Act
of 1878.
- The expensive second Afghan War
(1878-80), also known as Lyton's Afghan adventure as it was avoidable. It
was fought due to fear of increasing Russian influence in Afghanistan, and
the resultant treaty with Russia after the war led to the modern borders
of Afghanistan.
- It was unnecessary war expenditure
at a time of famines.
- In 1880, Liberal Party came to
power in Britain. Therefore Lyton was replaced with a liberal Ripon
(1880-1884)
A positive
regime of Ripon (1880-1884): (7:18 PM)
- Repealed Vernacular Press Act,
1878 in 1882.
- Amended Arms Act 1878 to remove
racially discriminatory provisions. Therefore, now all required licenses
to own arms.
- Increased age limit for civil
service examinations from 19 to 21 years.
- Local Self-Government Resolution
(LSGR) 1882:
- There existed municipalities in
urban towns and committees for different works like sanitation, road
construction, education, etc. in rural areas. However, they were under
official control.
- Rippon strengthened urban and
rural local bodies via LSGR, 1882. By 1884, the effect was visible in the
whole of British India.
- Its purpose was to train Indians
in self-government and not efficiency in administration.
- Now, in rural areas, District
Boards and Taluk Boards were set up across the whole of British India, and
their members were elected by rent payers and taxpayers instead of a
nomination.
- In urban towns, the powers of
municipalities increased.
- A minimum of two-thirds were
elected members and a maximum of one-third were nominated members and the
chairman was a non-official member.
- Subjects of health, education,
roads, communication, etc. were given to local bodies, which were now to
be autonomous in day-to-day functioning.
- However, the government could
inspect and dissolve a local body.
- Hunter Education Commission (1882-1883):
- It recommended the transfer of the
education subject to municipalities and District Boards.
- Now focus to be on mass western
education in vernacular, with a focus on female education.
- Divide secondary education into
literary and vocational (skill development) branches.
- Illbert Bill Controversy
(1883-84):
- It was named after C.P. Illbert,
who was a law member of Ripon's council.
- The bill gave jurisdiction to
Indian judges over British-born subjects in mofussil (rural) areas, as
they already had in presidency towns.
- Strongly opposed by the
Anglo-Indians and British officials. e.g. Lt. Governor of Bengal stated
that the bill ignores racial differences.
- The bill had to be amended and
compromises were made, to allow trial by mixed jury where British-born
subjects were involved.
- The controversy was a turning
point for educated Indians, as any doubt of the subordination of Indians
to the British was removed.
- It was an important benchmark in
the growth of political activities, due to massive press propaganda.
- The proposal for simultaneous
civil services examination in India failed. Therefore, all positive
reforms of Ripon were strongly opposed by the Britishers in India.
Regional
Organisations of the middle class: (7:57 PM)
- They were set up for representing
the interests of Indians
- Indian Association 1876 by
Surendranath Banerjee in Bengal
- Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, 1870 -MG
Ranade, KT Telang, Ferozshah Mehta
- Madras Mahajan Sabha 1884 - S
Ramaswami Mudaliar and P Anandacharlu
- Lahore Indian Association 1878 in
Punjab by Ajit Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai
- They gradually replaced the
domination of conservatives i.e. organizations of the landed class.
- Therefore, in the 1870s there was
the rise of moderates and the middle class properly took up leadership of INM
at an organized level.
The topic of
the next class: Foundation of Indian National Congress
Modern Indian History Class 26
Formation of
Indian National Congress(INC) (5:01 PM)
- Safety Valve Theory(SVT) held that
AO Hume and Dufferin(1884-1888) set up INC with moderates, to diffuse
tensions. Therefore, preventing 1857 like revolt.
- The origin of SVT traces back to
the biography of AO Hume, by Wedderburn
- Why SVT Falls:
- 1. seven volumes of secret reports
from Sadhus to Hume were never found.
- Also, Dufferin never took Hume
seriously. In addition to that, he hated moderates and didn't consider
them mass leaders.
- He didn't like INC formation, as
he feared the Irish-like Home Rule Movement by INC.
- 2. We were on the path to setting
up an India Organization- Pre-INC political activities were on the rise,
plus even British Indian Association, 1851 tried opening branches in
Bombay and Madras.
- Also, the Native Press Association
set up with Surendranath Banerjee(SNB) as President in 1877 Imperial
Durbar, was All India Organization, which decided to meet annually
- Plus SNB's Indian Association
1876, held a national conference in 1883 in Calcutta, another to be held
in 1885
- National Fund was set up in 1885
for an election campaign in favour of liberal candidates, fighting British
parliamentary elections.
- 3. Even if Hume and Dufferin
wanted to use the INC as a safety valve, moderates used Hume as a
lightning conductor.
- As purely an All India and all
India organization, won't have been allowed by the British.
- Also, Hume overcame differences
among regional leaders.
- 4. In the Biography, Wedderburn
wrote so, because he wanted Hume to be viewed as Patriot in Britain. Also,
Hume wanted strong opposition in India, as he was a liberal
Moderates (5:47
PM)
- Ideology of Moderates
- First, the twenty years of INC was
the moderate phase of the Indian National Movement
- Moderates believed in
constitutionalism(* that is a strong and good state, that provides a
mechanism for grievance redressal).
- They knew that British rule was
exploitative but believed it can modernize India if the British
pressurized.
- They believed in the providence
(*goodness) of British Rule.
- Moderates didn't believe that
Indians were ready for self-rule.
- Therefore, their goal was limited
self-government to Indians, within the British empire. They never even
thought about full independence.
- They were secular and believed in
western capitalism.
- They believed western capitalism
will modernize India, and believed in national unity.
Swaraj(5:55 PM)
- the First concept of swaraj
indicates the control of Indians over the state. This includes Limited
self-government and self-government
- Limited self-government means a
partnership between Indians and Britishers over control of the State
- Limited self-government was the
goal of moderates. Self-government within the British was the goal of
extremists.
- Poorna Swaraj was the goal of
young INC leaders in the 1920s, like Bose, Nehru, Patel, etc.
- Therefore, extremists had faith in
Indians, while moderates didn't believe that Indians were ready for
self-rule.
- This was endorsed as many believed
that Indians were not ready to rule India.
- Self-government further can mean
either Self-government within the British Government and Full
self-government (Poorna Swaraj)
- Self-government within the British
Government means Dominion Status.
- Dominion Status means maximum
control that can be given without the colony leaving the country.
- Dominion status is similar to the
Subsidiary alliance with the British. Defence, Foreign affairs, and
communication with the British rest with the Indians.
- the Second concept of swaraj
indicates the rule of each Indian, which means a stateless society
- Gandhiji wanted enlightened
anarchism. He wanted not law but religion as a source of morality.
- He wanted a positive role of
religion, in governance.
Indian Council
Act, 1861(6:43PM)
- Moderate demand was to amend the
Indian Council Act, of 1861, (to give limited self-government)
- Reason for ICA, 1861
- Post-1857 British wanted the
support of Indian Rajas and Zamindars
- Provisions
- Viceroy's council converted into
ILC- Imperial Legislative council and VEC- Viceroy's Executive
Council/Imperial Executive Council
- The separate legislature and
Executive bodies, both were under Viceroy, therefore was no Separation of
power at the level of the Viceroy
- PLC-Provincial Legislative
Councils and Governor's Executive Council in Provinces
- Therefore, ILC and PLC were
established by the Indian council act, of 1861
- Viceroy could Nominate 6-12 law
members to ILC of which, at least half must be non-officials.
- Therefore, First time Indians
could be included in law-making.
- Indian Council act, therefore
introduced a grain of popular(Indian) elements. It was the first attempt
at the representative character of governance as some Indians first time
could be nominated to the legislative branch of the state.
- In 1862, three Indians were
nominated to ILC- Maharaja of Patiala, Raja of Benaras, and Sir Dinkar Rao
(All Elites).
- Until 1892, mostly Zamindar and
money lenders from British Indian Association were nominated along with
British businessmen
- overall, 45 Indians were nominated
from 1861-92.
- No discussion by ILC without prior
approval of the viceroy
- No discussion of the action of the
administration
- Prior approval of the viceroy for
the introduction of bills.
- Viceroy had veto powers over
bills.
- Therefore ILC of the Indian
Council Act, of 1861 was not a parliament( No control over the executive).
- (Later link powers of Duma after
October manifesto, 1905, after Russian Revolution 1905)
- Executive:
- 1. Portfolio system of 1859,
legally recognized i.e. Allocation of departments to members/ministers of
VEC.
- The final decision over that
department to be of this minister
- 2. Power of Lawmaking by Ordinance
through viceroy in special circumstances (Life of six months).
- The ordinance is the lawmaking
power given to the executive in case of urgency when the legislature is
not in session.
- 3. Viceroy got the power to create
new provinces and appoint Lieutenant Governor(LG).
- ICA 1861 began decentralization
between the centre and provinces
- Centralization began with
Regulating Act of 1773, plus peaked in 1833.
- ICA, 1861 restored legislative
powers of Bombay and Madras, and other provinces
- It ensured the movement of power
from the Viceroy to the Governor. The journey of Federalism (* Federalism
means more power to states) began.
- The new legislative council was
proposed in Bengal, North-west frontier Province(NFP), and Punjab.
- (After the charter act 1853,
Dalhousie created the post of LG of Bengal to decrease his burden as ruler
of British India as well as Bengal)
- Power to viceroy to frame rules
and orders for the conduct of business in all councils (ILC and PLCs)
- In provinces, provisions similar
to ILC, and non-official members in PLC's to be appointed by Viceroy only
- Prior approval of the viceroy is
needed for the introduction of some bills in PLCs
- PLCs did not have separate
budget-making powers
Legislatures
(7:01 PM)
- It can consist of officials and
non-officials.
- Non-official members can be either
nominated or elected.
- Nonofficial members can be Indians
or Britishers.
- Elected members can be directly or
indirectly elected.
Demands of
Moderates (7:33 PM)
- Increased size of ILC and PLC
- Bring the elected majority (and
not the direct majority)
- Greater powers to ILC and PLCs
- Indianization of services
- Decrease military expenditure.
- Also share expenditure between
India and Britain, as the army was used not just for the protection of
India, but also the rest of the British empire.
- Have a volunteer army i.e. allow
all Indians to apply and join
- Trial by jury
- Remove Arms Act 1878
- Decrease land revenue
- Extend permanent settlement 1793
to areas outside Bengal as in it, Land revenue cannot be increased.
- End salt tax( *Link Civil
Disobedience Movement of Mahatma Gandhi)
- End exploitation of indentured
labourers (*contractual labourers of Assam tea garden)(* link Mahatma
Gandhi in South Africa)
- Abolish India council ( so that
the Secretary of State for India can function freely)
- Result
- None of the demands of the
Moderates was met.
- Weaknesses of Moderates(7:49 PM)
- 1. Uneven representation and total
exclusion of non-elites, therefore their claim of representing India was
weak.
- INC was mainly dominated by upper
castes, Hindus, middle class, men, Bengalis, Marathi, and Tamilians.
Therefore, not truly representative
- 2. Due to their social background,
they didn't take up anti-zamindar issues and were pro-capitalist, this
hurt their support base
- 3. They had a limited goal of
limited self-government. Therefore, didn't want the end of British Rule,
as they believed that British rule will modernize India.
- 4. They didn't believe that
Indians are ready for self-government (because of the low spread of
western education)
- 5. Even their ultimate long-term
goal was dominion status i.e. self-government on the lines of Canada and
Australia, and full British citizenship
- 6. Had moderate methods of sending
petitions, passing resolutions, writing articles, and making speeches and
council work, that didn't create enough pressure on Britishers
- 7. They developed a rich culture
of debate but no focus on mass struggle. That is no focus on involving the
common man.
- 8. In 1886 under Dadabhai Naoroji,
INC decided to not take up social issues like casteism, communalism, or
peasant and working-class interest.
- They thought it might hurt unity
among Indians.
- 9. They wanted gradual reforms,
not radical reforms.
- 10. They were part-time
politicians and most of them had lucrative legal practices and other
professions
- 11. INC was not a party but a
three-day annual function without any organizational structure at the
provincial and local levels
- Overall they had mild goals and
mild methods and extremist criticized their methods as a policy of
Mendicancy/ begging.
- Their constitutional agitation
didn't create any pressure, and no demand of theirs was met.
The topic of
the Next class: Positives of the Moderates
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