The Extension of the British Rule
The British initially came to India for trade through the East India Company. However, over time, they gradually expanded their political control and established their rule across India. Through wars, treaties, alliances, and political strategies, the British strengthened their empire and brought many Indian states under their control.
This chapter explains the policies adopted by the British, Anglo-Maratha Wars, Anglo-Sikh Wars, Subsidiary Alliance, and Doctrine of Lapse, which played an important role in the expansion of British rule in India.
British Policies for Territorial Expansion
The British adopted several political policies to expand their empire in India. These policies helped them strengthen their administration and reduce the power of Indian rulers.
The major policies were:
- Subsidiary Alliance
- Doctrine of Lapse
- Wars and Treaties
- Annexation Policy
These methods enabled the British to establish control over different regions of India.
Subsidiary Alliance System
The Subsidiary Alliance System was introduced by Lord Wellesley.
The first state to accept this system was Hyderabad.
Under this policy:
- Indian rulers had to maintain British troops in their territory.
- They could not form alliances with other states without British permission.
- Native rulers had to pay for the maintenance of British troops.
- British residents were appointed in princely states.
This policy gradually weakened native rulers and increased British control.
Doctrine of Lapse
The Doctrine of Lapse was implemented by Lord Dalhousie.
According to this policy:
If a ruler died without a natural heir, the kingdom would be annexed by the British.
This policy helped the British expand their political power in India.
Several states were annexed under this doctrine, increasing British territorial control.
Anglo-Maratha Wars
The Marathas strongly resisted British expansion. This led to a series of Anglo-Maratha Wars.
First Anglo-Maratha War
The First Anglo-Maratha War ended with the Treaty of Salbai.
After this war, political arrangements were made regarding Maratha leadership.
Second Anglo-Maratha War
The Second Anglo-Maratha War ended with the Treaty of Bassein.
This treaty increased British influence over Maratha territories.
Third Anglo-Maratha War
The Third Anglo-Maratha War became a major turning point in Indian history.
Causes:
- British interference in Maratha affairs
- Political conflicts among Maratha rulers
- Expansion of British influence
Consequences:
- Decline of Maratha power
- Expansion of British authority
- Installation of Pratap Singh by the British at Satara.
The Third Anglo-Maratha War led to the downfall of Maratha dominance in India.
Anglo-Sikh Wars and Punjab Annexation
The Sikh Empire became powerful under organized leadership.
Political instability developed in Punjab after 1839, creating internal conflicts.
During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, several leaders resisted British rule.
Later, Punjab was annexed to the British Empire by Dalhousie.
Importance of Subsidiary Alliance in British Expansion
The Subsidiary Alliance policy helped the British in several ways:
- Easy maintenance of military forces
- Increased political control
- Weakening of native rulers
- Expansion of the British Empire
This policy became one of the major reasons for British dominance in India.
Important Questions for LBA Preparation
1 Mark Questions
✔ Who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance?
✔ Which state first accepted the Subsidiary Alliance?
✔ Who implemented the Doctrine of Lapse?
✔ Which treaty ended the First Anglo-Maratha War?
2–3 Mark Questions
✔ Explain the British expansion policies.
✔ State the causes of the First Anglo-Maratha War.
✔ Explain the causes of the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
✔ Explain Doctrine of Lapse.
Long Answer Questions
✔ Conditions of Subsidiary Alliance
✔ Effects of Subsidiary Alliance on native rulers
✔ Consequences of the Third Anglo-Maratha War
