British Expansion in India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)

Explanation

Between 1784 and 1857, the British passed several acts to centralize control, regulate the East India Company’s administration, and address rising unrest in India. These measures ultimately led to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, marking the end of Company rule and the beginning of direct British governance.

Option (a) is correct.

The Charter Act of 1813 abolished the East India Company’s monopoly on trade with India, except for certain key areas such as the trade in tea and commerce with China. The Regulating Act of 1773 was a key piece of legislation that aimed to improve the administration of the British East India Company. It required the Company to submit correspondence and documents to the British government for scrutiny. The Government of India Act 1858 transferred the governance of India from the East India Company to the British Crown following the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The dual system introduced by the Pitt’s India Act came to an end. The Governor-general became the Viceroy. The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 established a dual system of government, where the East India Company was controlled by both a Board of Directors and a Board of Control, with the latter controlling its policy and finances.

Explanation

The expansion of British India was a significant aspect of British’s colonial policy, with the British seeking to expand the territory of British India through annexations, wars, and treaties.

Option (b) is correct:

The last major extension of British Indian territory occurred during Lord Dalhousie’s tenure as Governor-General (1848-1856). Dalhousie is particularly noted for his aggressive policy of annexation and territorial expansions. For example, under Doctrine of Lapse(Jhansi, Satara, Nagpur, etc) and on the basis of Misgovernance (Awadh) were annexed.

Explanation

First Anglo Maratha War (1775-82) was fought between the British East India Company and Maratha Confederacy in India. The war began with the Treaty of Surat and ended with the Treaty of Salbai. The war saw British defeat and restoration of positions of both the parties before the war. The Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784) saw Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan fight the British after their betrayal. Hyder’s forces advanced to Madras (1780), but after his death (1782), Tipu continued the war. It ended with the Treaty of Mangalore (1784), restoring territories and maintaining the status quo. First Anglo Burmese War (1824-26) was the first of three Anglo-Burmese wars, which eventually led to British control over Burma. Anglo Afghan War (1838/1839-42) was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Afghanistan, primarily over British concerns regarding Russian influence in Central Asia.