The British, who came to India for trade, eventually became India’s political masters. The entire Indian subcontinent was brought under British control from the Battle of Plassey to the annexation of Punjab in 1849. Aside from outright wars, they used methods such as the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse to expand and consolidate their empire in India.

Growth of English East India Company

• In 1599, a group of merchants known as Merchant Adventurers formed an English company to trade with the east. In 1600, the queen granted it permission and exclusive rights to trade with the east.
• Captain Hawkins was given the royal farman by Mughal emperor Jahangir to establish factories on the western coast. Sir Thomas Roe later obtained the farman to establish factories throughout the Mughal empire.
• Bombay was given to the British as dowry by the Portuguese. The British-Dutch conflict was settled by surrendering all claims to Indonesia.
• The conditions in the south were ideal for the English. They began in Madras by constructing Fort St. George. The troubles began when the English sacked Hugli and declared war on the emperor.
• They failed miserably. This was their first lesson. From then on, they relied on flattery and humble entreaties while waiting for their chance.
• Fort William was built in 1698, and Calcutta was founded. Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta quickly developed into thriving trade centres.
• The French, led by Dupleix, who had arrived in India by then, had already begun interfering in the affairs of the local princes with their well-equipped army. In 1742, France and England were at odds in Europe.
• After the nizam died in 1748, his son Nasir Jung ascended to the throne. Muzaffar Jung, a nizam’s grandson, challenged him. Similar situations arose in Carnatic, where Chanda Sahib plotted against Nawab Anwarudeen.
• The French sided with both rebels and won both of their claims for them, killing Anwarudeen and Nasir Jung. The English naturally sided with the fallen, led by Muhammad Ali, Anwarudeen’s son.
• The wars were then won by the English under the capable generalship and cunning of Robert Clive. Finally, according to their treaty of 1754, the French recalled Dupleix from India.
• Later, in 1760, the French were completely destroyed at the battle of Wandiwash. As a result, the English remained India’s sole masters.
• The farman granted to the British by the Emperor allowed them to conduct free trade in Bengal. They were also not required to pay dastaks for the movement of such goods.
• However, these were abused by the company’s employees, resulting in revenue loss for Bengal. When Siraj-ud-Daulah, Alivardi Khan’s grandson, ascended to the throne in 1756, he demanded that the English trade on the same terms as the Indian merchants.
• When the English refused and strengthened their fortifications, the situation deteriorated.
• This resulted in the Battle of Plassey in 1757, in which Siraj-ud-Daulah was treacherously defeated by the cheating of Mir Jaffar and Rai Durlabh. This brought the British enormous prestige and revenue.
• When Mir Jaffar failed to pay the British tribute, they installed Mir Qasim on the throne. He was astute, realising that fighting the British required both revenue and an army.
• Finally, he eliminated all internal trade duties. This enraged the British, who defeated Mir Qasim in the Battle of Buxar in 1764.