Showing posts with label Modern Indian History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Modern Indian History. Show all posts
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Warren Hastings: Model Short Answers with Video Display
For video display, watch the following YouTube videos.
The URL of YouTube is: https://youtu.be/YAVtf0vJY04
Warren Hastings 15 Model Short Answers
Monday, November 04, 2024
Best of 30 short notes - Plassey and Buxar.
Best of 30 short notes
Plassey and Buxar.
1. Where was the headquarters of the British East India Company established first? At which place was the headquarters of the British transferred afterwards?
Ans: The British East India Company was established first in Surat and then moved to Bombay.
2. In which year did the English raise their factory in the Kingdom of Golkonda?
Ans: In 1611, the English raised their factory at Masulipatnam in the Kingdom of Golkonda.
3. Where did the British found the city of Madras And built Fort St George
Ans: The English bought some land on the East Coast and founded the city of Madras, where they built Port St George, named after the patron saint of England
4. Name three important settlements of the English in Bengal around 16150.
Ans: In 1615, the three important English settlements in Bengal were at Hooghly, Kasimbazar and Balasore, with subordinate factories at Patna, Rajmahal and Deccan
5. Name three centres of English which developed into main commercial centres
Ans: Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were the Main commercial centres
6. List four goods that were exported from India to England by the British
Ans: The British exported indigo opium, spices and sugar from India to England
7. In 1717, the Mughal Emperor granted the British the right to carry on her seaborne trade duty-free in Bengal?
Ans: in 1717. The Mughal Emperor Faruk Siyar, who had been cured of a disease by William Hamilton, a doctor in the company’s service, granted a Firman to the company to carry on her sea bond rate duty-free in Bengal in lieu of an annual payment of Rs. 3000.
8. Write the three Firmans granted by the Mughal Emperor Farooq Seyar in 1717 to the East India Company
Ans: The three Firmans were granted by Farukh Sayar in 1717 To the East India Company.
1. One of the critical concessions was that the company was allowed to carry on her sea bond trade duty-free in Bengal in lieu of an annual payment of rupees 3000
2. At Surat, the company's annual tax was fixed at rupees 10,000, and customs duties were remitted.
Finally, the English company's currency was allowed to circulate throughout the Mughal Empire. They were also permitted to purchase from the local zamindars, the Talakudari, in 38 villages adjacent to Calcutta.
9. Which were the two leading factories of the French, and where and when were these established? Mention the factories established after 1725.
Ans: The French had two leading factories: Pondicherry or Puducherry and Chandarnagar or Chandor Nagar. Pondicherry's factory was established in 1674, and Chandar Nagar's in 1690. After 1725, two more factories were set up in Mahi and Calicut.
10. Who was Siraj-ud-dula
Ans: Siraj-ud-dula was the grandson of Aliwardi Khan. He became the Nawab of Bengal in 1756. On June 23, 1757, the historic battle of Plassey was fought between the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-dula, and the English East India Company, in which the English came out victorious.
11. Who was Shaukat Jung
Ans: Shaukat Jung was the Nawab of Purnia and a cousin of Saraj-ud-dula. His maternal aunt, Gasseti Begum, tried to enthrone Shaukat Jang as the Nawab of Bengal. But Siraj-ud-dula managed to ascend to the power of Bengal, arousing their jealousy and enmity.
12. Who was Mir Jaffer
Ans: Mir Jaffer was Bakshi under Nawab Ali Wardi Khan and later became the first Nawab of Bengal with British support after the Battle of Plassey. He conspired with the British under Robert Clive to dispose of Siraj-ud-dula to become the Nawab himself. Mir Jaffer’s Army betrayed Siraj-ud-dula by not fighting for him. Siraj-ud-dula was defeated and killed. Mir Jaffer ascended as the new Nawab of Bihar, Odisha, and Bengal. Mir Jaffer conflicted with the East India Company over too many demands raised on him by the British East India Company and tried to tie up with the Dutch East India Company. The British eventually overran the Dutch force at Chinsurah, replacing Mir Jaffer with Mir Qasim
13. Who was Mir Qasim? Mir Qasim was the Nawab of Bengal from 1760 to 1763.
Ans: Mir Qasim was installed as Nawab with the support of the British East India Company, replacing Mir Jaffer, his father-in-law. Later, Mir Qasim fell out with the British and fought them at the Battle of Boxer.
14. Write four causes that led to the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
Ans: the four causes that led to the Battle of Lassie in 1757 Were
1. British help to the rival claimants of Nawab Siraj-ud-dula
2. Misuse of Royal Permit and Dustakhat by the English
3. capture of Kasim Bazaar and Calcutta in 1756 by Nawab Siraj-ud-dula.
4. black hole tragedy.
5. The English gave protection to Krishna Das, a wealthy merchant of Bengal.
15. When and where was the Battle of Plassey fought, and between whom?
Ans: the Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23. 1757 at a mango groove, 22 miles South of Murshidabad. It was fought between Nawab Siraj-ud-dula of Bengal and the British East India Company.
16. Name the person who, before the battle of Plassey in 1757, Conspired with the English against Nawab Siraj-ud-dula.
Ans: the person who, before the Battle of 1757, Conspired with the English against Nawab Siraj-ud-dula of Bengal were:
1. Mir Jafar Mir Bakshi of the Nawab Siraj-ud-dula
2. Manik Chand, The officer in charge of Calcutta.
3 Jagat Seth, the biggest banker of Bengal.
17. Write four causes that led to the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-dula in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 at the hands of the English.
Ans: the four causes that led to the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-dula in the Battle of Plassey 1757 at the hands of the English were
1. Corrupt and treacherous officers of Nawab Siraj-ud-dula like Bakshi Mir Jafar and Manakchand.
3 Nawab Siraj-ud-dula was no match for Clive, a man of Dauntless Courage, perseverance, and foresight, a great military strategist who had accomplished brilliant military feats.
4 Nawab Siraj-ud-dula was beaten by the English because he had no efficient intelligence system to obtain information about the company’s activities that were against his interests.
18. What does the black hole tragedy refer to
Ans: the so-called black hole tragedy refers to the alleged imprisonment of 123 Englishmen in a small room, resulting in the death of most of them. It was reported by Holwell, who was ambitious about Becoming the governor of Bengal Factory.
19. Give four results of the battle of Plassey 1757. Why is it said that the Battle of Plasi was little more than a cannonade?
Answer. 1. Mir Jaffer was made the Nawab of Bengal, who gave the British East India Company, Zamindari, rights to a tract of land near Calcutta called the 24 Parganas. This marked the beginning of the British Dominion in India.
2. Mir Jaffer made enormous payments to the company as compensation. The Army and naval officers of the company were also paid vast amounts of money as bribes or rewards for the services they had done to him
3. A marvellous transformation in the position of the British from mere traders. The English became virtual Masters of Bengal and, subsequently, the whole of India.
4. it paved the way for the English victory at Buxar in 1764. They also defeated the French and Dutch companies and thus virtually monopolised the trade and commerce of Bengal
The Battle of 1757 was little more than a cannonade because of the conspiracy that the majority of the Nawabs Siraj-ud-dula Army, led by the traitors Bakshi Meer Jafar and Rai Durlabram, took no part in the fighting.
20. Who became the Nawab of Bengal in 1760. which places were given to Britishers by him.
Ans: Mir Qasim became the Nawab of Bengal in 1760. He gave Burdwan Medinapur and Chittagong to the Britishers.
21. Mention four causes that led to the Battle of Baxter in 1764.
Ans: The four causes that led to the Battle of Buxar on October 23, 1764, are
1. Imperialist designs of the East India Company of Britain
2. The conflict for supremacy between Mir Qasim and the English
3. Inland trading equality allowed to Bengal traders by Mira Kasim caused resentment and indignation in the company
4. Exploitation and unfair advantage taken by the English traders and their Gumashtas (Indian Agents working for the English traders).
22. Name the parties between whom the Battle of Baxter 7064 was fought and who came out victorious.
Ans: The Battle of Buxar 1764 was fought between the English East India Company On the one hand, and the combined forces of Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, Suja-ud-dula, the Nawab of Awadh and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor, on the other hand in the battle for power in the Battle of Buxar 1764. The English came out victorious under the leadership of Major Hector Munro.
23. List the four results of the Battle of Buxar1764.
Ans: The four results of the Battle of Buxar 1764 were
1. Mir Qasim, who had been dethroned, was replaced by Mir Jafar as Nawab of Bengal. His Army was reduced, and he was to keep a British resident at his court.
2. The British maintained Awadh as a friendly buffer between Bengal and northwest India.
3. Mir Jafar had to pay for the losses the English suffered during the war.
4. The grant of Diwani of Bengal provided the English with enormous resources and helped lay the foundation for British rule in India.
24. List four provisions of the Treaty of Allahabad. 1765.
Ans: The provisions of the Treaty of Allahabad concluded between Robert Clive and the governor of Bengal, Shuja-ud-dula Nawab of Avadh, Shah Alam II, the Mughal Sultan of Delhi, are as under
1. The province of Awadh was returned to Nawab Shuja-ud-dula. However, two districts, Kada and Allahabad, were taken from them.
2. The English were permitted to carry on trade free in Awadh.
3 Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor, granted the English the right to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. This is known as the grant of the Diwani.
4. Nawab Shuja-ud-dula had to keep English troops to protect his frontiers and their expenses.
25. Who were the parties in the Treaty of Allahabad, 1765, concluded?
Ans: The Treaty of Allahabad, 1765, was concluded between Robert Clive, the Nawab of Bengal and Nawab of Awadh Shuja-ud-dula and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Sultan.
26. What was the significance of the Battle of Buxar in 1764?
Ans: The Battle of Buxar in 1764 dealt a final blow to the three princely powers involved, Bengal, Awadh, and the Mughal Sultanate, and established the supremacy of the British power in India.
27. Why was Mir Qasim dethroned from the post of Nawab of Bengal by the English before the Battle of Buxar1764?
Ans: Mir Qasim refused to act as per the fancy of the British and proved inconvenient to them. So he was finally dethroned. Mir Jaffer was restored to the throne.
28. In return for the Diwani of Bengal, what did the English agree to pay to the Mughal Empire?
Ans: In return for the Diwani of Bengal, the British agreed to give the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam Sagin an annual pension of Rs 26 lakhs and the districts of Allahabad and Kada.
29. Write the four main centres of Portuguese in India.
Ans: The four main Portuguese centres in India were Daman Salmatt, Bassein and Goa.
30. Name the first Portuguese Viceroy in India and who succeeded him.
Ans: During the tenure of Francisco Almeida, the Portuguese Viceroy, the whole Indian sea-born trade passed into the hands of the Portuguese, which proved very lucrative. Francisco Almeida was succeeded by Albuquerque, who proved to be the ablest Portuguese Viceroy in India and aimed to destroy the Muslim traders to establish a Portuguese Empire in the east.
Monday, May 20, 2024
Charter Act 1793
By the Act of 1767, the British Parliament allowed the Company the privilege to retain territorial possession in India. The continuation of the Company was decided in the Regulating Act 1773, wherein it was allowed to exist for the next twenty years. Before the period expired, the Directors of the Company had applied for the renewal of the Charter. The Parliament granted it the Charter for the next twenty years. It was the first in the series of Charters by the Parliament, which the Parliament had continued to renew till 1853. The British Parliament maintained the institution of the Board of Control, which directed, superintend, and controlled the workings of the Company. On every renewal, the Parliament increased its grip over the operation of the Company and simultaneously reduced its privileges and rights. From the Charter Act 1793, a series of Charters sustained the Company till 1858.
The Circumstances Leading to
Enactment of the Charter of 1793.
Act of 1786
The British Parliament was dominated by such Political
personalities of Britain who were friends of Lord Cornwallis. The loss of
American Colonies weighed heavily on the minds of Lord Cornwallis and his
friends in the British Parliament. Lord Cornwallis was one of the generals who
had surrendered to the American Revolutionaries. Therefore, on his return, his
friends tried to give Lord Cornwallis a position of respectability and good pay.
It was suggested that he be posted in India as Commander in Chief of Indian
forces. The Commander in Chief was also a Council of the Governor-General in
Council member. Lord Cornwallis was not ready to join after studying the workings
of the government of India. He asked for more power and a better say in the
administration. In the Act of 1786, Lord Cornwallis was appointed as the
Commander in Chief. The Commander in Chief was given the power to override the
Council on his responsibility. In addition to that, Lord Cornwallis was also
made the Governo-General in Council. He was empowered to override the decisions
of his Council. It was made possible because William Pitt the Younger was
influential in the Parliament, and he favoured Lord Cornwallis.
Declaratory Act of 1788
Henry Dundas was the first President of the Board of Control. He
was a friend of William Pitt the Younger. He continued as the President for a
long time. However, the style of working and the attitude of Henry Dundas while
dealing with the Company brought him into conflict with the Directors of the
Company. Henry Dundas deputed four Royal Regiments to India and paid the
expenses out of the Indian Revenue. The Court of Directors objected to the
billing. The Parliament responded by passing the Declaratory Act of 1788. The
1788 Act transferred the full power and supremacy to the Board of Control. The
Act also stipulated that the Directors should place the Company's annual
account before the Parliament. The provisions were also added to settle the
gratuity and the salaries. The Act transferred the power of the Company to the
Ministry of the Crown.
The Directors of the Company
applied for the renewal:
The Directors of the Company sought the renewal of the Charters
before the tenure of twenty years came to a close by 1793. The power of the
Company was gradually being withdrawn from it by statutes like the Declaratory
Act of 1788. However, the Company was still secure in the monopoly of Indian
trade. The monopoly of trade with India held enough attraction to maintain the
Company.
Support of Ministers to the
Company:
Many Ministers in the Crown had a direct interest in the existence
of the Company. They had patronised the Company.
Favourable Circumstances:
When the Company's expiry date approached, Britain got involved in
a war with France, and the country's attention was entirely diverted to that
war. In the meantime, the Company's application for a licence renewal was
brought before the Parliament. Some merchants petitioned the Parliament to end
the monopoly of trade granted to the Company. However, many ministers
patronised the Company. The Bill for a new Charter was quietly passed in the
Parliament. The features of the Charter Act are given below.
Main Provisions of the Charter Act 1793:
Provision 1.
The Company's trade monopoly was extended for twenty years. The
private individuals were allowed to trade to the extent of 3000 tons of
shipping.
Provision 2.
The
members of the Board of Control and its staff were to be paid from India's
revenues.
Provision 3.
The
Governor Generals and the Governors of the Presidencies were empowered to
override the majority in their Councils. This power was already given to
Governor-General Cornwallis in 1788 in the Declaratory Act. The number of
members in each Council was restricted to three.
Provision 4.
The Governor-General in Council was given full power and authority
to superintend, direct, and control the Presidency Governments. When the
Governor-General visited other Presidencies, a provision empowered him to
supersede the Governor there.
Provision 5.
The Governor-General was empowered to depute one of the members of
his Council as the Vice-President of the Council. The Vice-President was to act
for the Governor-General when the latter was on tour to other Presidencies.
Provision 6.
The Governor-General, the Governors, the Commander-in-Chief, and
some other officers were not permitted to leave India while they held office.
This provision continued even when the Company was abolished.
Provision 7.
The Commander-in-Chief was removed from the Council of the
Governor-General's membership. He was eligible to become a member of the Court
of Directors, which deputed him to the Council.
Provision 8.
The Charter reiterated the policy of non-intervention, no further
conquests, and no further extension of the territories in India. It was
declared the British nation's wish, honour, and policy. This policy was
inaugurated by the Pitts India Act of 1784 and again reiterated in the Charter
Act of 1793.
Provision 9.
The provision ruled that accepting gifts and presents by British
subjects holding any office or employment under the Royal Majesty or the
Company was unlawful. It was declared an act of extortion and a misdemeanour at
law.
Provision 10.
The
Civil Service rule adopted the principles of grading ranks and seniority in
service. Promotion to a higher post was made based on length of service. Only
Covenant servants of the Company were to be given positions with pay over £500
a year.
Provision 11.
The
sale of liquor was made subject to the grant of a licence by the
Governor-General, who was empowered to levy a sanitary tax in the Presidency
towns.
Provision 12.
The
Supreme Court of Calcutta's jurisdiction was extended to the high seas and given
admiralty jurisdiction.
Provision 13.
The
Governor-General was given the power to appoint the members of Civil Services
as Justices of Peace.
Provision 14.
The Company's finances were also regulated. Under a provision of
the Act, a particular amount was assumed to be the Company's annual surplus.
Five lakh pounds were allocated from that assumed fund to pay the Company's
debts. A part of that fund was made available to raise the dividend from 8 per
cent to 10 per cent.
Criticism and Significance of the Charter Act 1793.
1. Fresh Charters after every 20 years
It was the first in a series of Charter Acts. Three more Charter
Acts followed, which continued the Company's existence until it was abolished
by the Good Government of India Act in 1858. The Regulating Act gave the
Company a patent for twenty years. It introduced Parliament's measure to
establish control over the workings of the Company under the direction and
supervision of the State. Parliament passed the Charter Act of 1793 exclusively
to give patents to companies.
2. Provisions of the 1784 Act reiterated
The Charter Act 1793 reiterated the principles and policies
defined in Pitt's India Act 1784. The Act stipulated that the Company would not
follow the policy of territorial expansion. However, it remained merely high-sounding
morals on paper. The Governo-Generals like Lord Cornwallis, Lord Wellesley,
Lord Hastings and others expanded the territorial limits. The Directors of the
Company were also against it. However, the Governors-General benefited from the
distance from London, the underdeveloped mode of communication, which was
time-consuming, and the more protracted processes of decision-making on the
part of the Board of Control and Court of Directors.
3. Strengthened the Control of Parliament over the Company
The
Charter Act 1793 consolidated the provisions of the Regulating Act 1773 and the
Pitt's India Act 1784. It provided more details about the rules already
established by earlier statutes. The powers of the Governor-General were
defined, and he was made more powerful.
4. Exploitation of Indian Wealth increased
The Charter Act of 1793 increased the expenditure of the Indian
Government. The salaries of the Board of Control were derived from India's
revenue. India suffered from regular famines. The economic condition of India
was deteriorating in the territories which had come under the rule of the
Governor-General. The expenditure on the Indian revenue continued for too long.
It was finally curbed by the Government of India Act of 1919.
5. The Post of Governor-General in Council consolidated
No significant changes were made in the government of India.
However, the Governor-General's power was increased. He was empowered to make
appointments to the post of Justice of Peace, given the power to levy taxes,
and authorised to issue liquor licences.
6. Parliament’s dominance over revenue and territory of British
India administration
The Act brought finance and accounts under the purview of
Parliament. The annual account was now placed before the Parliament. The
Parliament assumed that the Company earned a surplus every year. It issued
directions to the Company to make specific payments. The Company's financial
independence was taken away. However, the Company was allowed a monopoly of
trade.
The
Charter Act of 1793 was a consolidating measure. It laid out the high-sounding
principle of non-aggression. However, the governor-general did not follow that policy.
The Company continued to expand its territorial limits. Before the Charter Act
of 1813, it had brought under its sway a significant part of Indian
territory.
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