NCERT REVISION NOTES
CLASS-8th HISTORY
Lesson-02 "From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power
Chapter Summary
1. The East India Company’s Arrival in India
- The British East India Company arrived in India for trade in the early 17th century (1600s).
- Initially focused on trade of items like spices, cotton, silk, and indigo.
- India’s wealth in resources attracted other European traders as well, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and French.
2. Establishing Control Over Bengal
- The East India Company started consolidating its power in Bengal after gaining the diwani (right to collect revenue) following the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the Battle of Buxar (1764).
- Robert Clive played a crucial role in establishing British control in Bengal.
- Mir Jafar was made the puppet Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey.
3. Battles and Expansion of British Power
- Battle of Plassey (1757): British, led by Clive, defeated Siraj-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal, marking the beginning of British political control in India.
- Battle of Buxar (1764): British forces defeated the alliance of Mir Qasim (Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Awadh), and Shah Alam II (Mughal emperor), which solidified the Company’s hold on Bengal and opened the door to revenue collection.
4. The Company as Diwan and the Administration of Bengal
- In 1765, the Company became the Diwan of Bengal, giving it control over revenue collection.
- This led to a system of dual administration where the Company controlled finances, while Indian rulers handled administration.
5. Expansion and Annexation Policies
- Subsidiary Alliance: Introduced by Lord Wellesley, it forced Indian rulers to keep British forces in their states and disband their own armies. States like Awadh and Hyderabad were affected.
- Doctrine of Lapse: Introduced by Lord Dalhousie; if a ruler died without a direct heir, the state was annexed by the British. This policy affected states like Jhansi and Satara.
6. Resistance and Rebellion
- Several Indian rulers resisted British control. Notable resistance movements include:
- Mysore: Under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who fought the British in four Anglo-Mysore Wars.
- Marathas: Resisted in the Anglo-Maratha Wars, but were eventually defeated, leading to British control over large parts of central India.
- Sikh Kingdom: The British fought two Anglo-Sikh Wars, ultimately annexing Punjab after defeating the Sikhs.
7. British Administrative and Military Reforms
- British introduced administrative reforms, including setting up police, judicial systems, and a standing army.
- Built infrastructure like roads and forts to support military expansion and efficient governance.
Key Terms and Concepts
- Diwani: Right to collect revenue.
- Subsidiary Alliance: Policy to control Indian states by placing British troops within their territories.
- Doctrine of Lapse: Policy to annex Indian states without a direct male heir.
- Nawab: Title of rulers in some Indian states.
- Resident: British official posted in Indian states to ensure loyalty to the Company.
Important Battles
- Battle of Plassey (1757): British defeat Siraj-ud-Daula, marking the start of British political influence in India.
- Battle of Buxar (1764): Consolidated British power in Bengal and gave them control over Awadh and the Mughal Emperor.
- Anglo-Mysore Wars: Series of wars with Mysore, which led to the defeat of Tipu Sultan.
- Anglo-Maratha Wars: British fought the Marathas and eventually controlled most of central India.
- Anglo-Sikh Wars: Led to the British annexation of Punjab after the defeat of the Sikh Empire.
Important Figures
- Robert Clive: British officer who won the Battle of Plassey.
- Siraj-ud-Daula: Last independent Nawab of Bengal.
- Mir Jafar: Puppet Nawab installed by the British.
- Tipu Sultan: Ruler of Mysore who resisted British expansion.
- Lord Wellesley: Governor-General who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance.
- Lord Dalhousie: Governor-General who implemented the Doctrine of Lapse.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. When did the East India Company come to India?(a) 1498
(b) 1600
(c) 1707
(d) 1757
Answer: (b) 1600
2. Which battle marked the beginning of British political control in India?
(a) Battle of Buxar
(b) Battle of Plassey
(c) Anglo-Sikh War
(d) Anglo-Maratha War
Answer: (b) Battle of Plassey
3. Who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance?
(a) Robert Clive
(b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Tipu Sultan
Answer: (c) Lord Wellesley
(a) Robert Clive
(b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Tipu Sultan
Answer: (c) Lord Wellesley
4. Which Nawab of Bengal was defeated in the Battle of Plassey?
(a) Mir Jafar
(b) Tipu Sultan
(c) Siraj-ud-Daula
(d) Hyder Ali
Answer: (c) Siraj-ud-Daula
(a) Mir Jafar
(b) Tipu Sultan
(c) Siraj-ud-Daula
(d) Hyder Ali
Answer: (c) Siraj-ud-Daula
5. Which policy allowed the British to annex states without an heir?
(a) Subsidiary Alliance
(b) Doctrine of Lapse
(c) Dual Administration
(d) Permanent Settlement
Answer: (b) Doctrine of Lapse
(a) Subsidiary Alliance
(b) Doctrine of Lapse
(c) Dual Administration
(d) Permanent Settlement
Answer: (b) Doctrine of Lapse
6. Who led Mysore against the British in four wars?
(a) Lord Dalhousie
(b) Siraj-ud-Daula
(c) Tipu Sultan
(d) Mir Qasim
Answer: (c) Tipu Sultan
(a) Lord Dalhousie
(b) Siraj-ud-Daula
(c) Tipu Sultan
(d) Mir Qasim
Answer: (c) Tipu Sultan
7. Which state was annexed after the Second Anglo-Sikh War?
(a) Punjab
(b) Awadh
(c) Mysore
(d) Bengal
Answer: (a) Punjab
(a) Punjab
(b) Awadh
(c) Mysore
(d) Bengal
Answer: (a) Punjab
8. Who became the puppet Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey?
(a) Mir Qasim
(b) Mir Jafar
(c) Shuja-ud-Daula
(d) Shah Alam II
Answer: (b) Mir Jafar
(a) Mir Qasim
(b) Mir Jafar
(c) Shuja-ud-Daula
(d) Shah Alam II
Answer: (b) Mir Jafar
9. What was the main motive of the East India Company when it first came to India?
(a) To establish military bases
(b) To trade in spices and other goods
(c) To spread Christianity
(d) To collect revenue
Answer: (b) To trade in spices and other goods
(a) To establish military bases
(b) To trade in spices and other goods
(c) To spread Christianity
(d) To collect revenue
Answer: (b) To trade in spices and other goods
10. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse?
(a) Robert Clive
(b) Lord Wellesley
(c) Lord Dalhousie
(d) Siraj-ud-Daula
Answer: (c) Lord Dalhousie
(a) Robert Clive
(b) Lord Wellesley
(c) Lord Dalhousie
(d) Siraj-ud-Daula
Answer: (c) Lord Dalhousie
Key Takeaways
- The East India Company transformed from a trading company to a powerful ruler of India through military conquests and political alliances.
- Policies like the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse were used to bring Indian states under British control.
- Battles like the Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar paved the way for British dominance in India.
- Resistance by rulers like Tipu Sultan and Marathas showcased the opposition against British control but was ultimately unsuccessful.
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