Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction:

• Briefly introduce the question, stating that despite the presence of multiple independent and resistant states in India, the British were able to establish and sustain their dominance.
• Mention that this was achieved through a combination of military power, diplomatic strategies, economic dominance, and administrative measures.

Body:

1. Military Superiority
   • Superior Weaponry: The British had advanced military technology, including firearms, cannons, and modern artillery, which gave them an edge over the independent Indian states.
     Example: The defeat of the Marathas and Mysore is partly attributed to superior British weaponry and military tactics.
   • Expansion of British Army: After the 1857 revolt, the British expanded their military presence in India to prevent further uprisings.
     Fact: The British army grew significantly post-1857 to include more Indian sepoys, who were used to control local revolts.
2. Diplomatic and Political Alliances
   • Subsidiary Alliances: The British used the system of subsidiary alliances (initiated by Lord Wellesley) to form political and military alliances with Indian rulers. This was a strategic move to secure British influence without directly annexing territories.
     Fact: The Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maratha chiefs were brought into these alliances, which gave Britain indirect control over their territories.
   • Loyal Rulers: The British allied with local rulers who were loyal to them, thus establishing control over vast territories.
     Example: The Rajput states, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and other smaller kingdoms were often allied with the British.
   • Paramountcy: After the 1857 rebellion, the British began to rule India through loyal princely states by using the doctrine of Paramountcy.
     Fact: The British installed loyal Indian leaders in important states like Awadh and Punjab to ensure stability.
3. Economic Control
   • Revenue Extraction: The British controlled agricultural revenue through the Permanent Settlement system and other land revenue policies, weakening local powers and filling British coffers.
     Example: The exploitation of Bengal’s agricultural resources funded British military and administrative operations.
   • Economic Exploitation: The British systematically extracted resources from India to fuel Britain’s industrial growth, forcing India into a subservient economic relationship.
     Fact: British trade policies made India an exporter of raw materials and an importer of British manufactured goods.
   • Infrastructure Development: The British built railways, roads, and telegraph systems, which enabled them to move troops and resources quickly across India.
     Example: The development of the Indian railway network allowed British forces to quell revolts more effectively and maintain economic control.
4. Divide and Rule Strategy
   • Playing Off Rivalries: The British exploited existing divisions between various Indian rulers, communities, and religious groups. They encouraged distrust and competition to prevent a unified resistance.
     Fact: The British encouraged rivalry between Hindu and Muslim communities, which later became one of the causes of the Partition of India in 1947.
   • Supporting Fragmentation: The British supported fragmented local kingdoms and sought to prevent large-scale unity among Indian states, which would have been a threat to British authority.
     Example: During the Maratha Wars, the British exploited the internal divisions among Maratha chieftains, which helped them defeat the Maratha Empire.
5. Repression and Control
   • Repression of Revolts: The British used severe repression to suppress uprisings and resistance movements.
     Example: The 1857 revolt, which was violently suppressed, resulted in harsh punitive measures across India, including mass executions and the disbandment of the Mughal empire.
   • Control of Dissent: The British implemented strict laws and used military repression to deal with any resistance.
     Fact: The use of martial law and the establishment of a strong police state helped the British quell any local insurgencies.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key points by stating that through a combination of military superiority, diplomatic alliances, economic control, and strategic repression, the British were able to establish and sustain their dominance in India despite the presence of several independent and resistant states.
• Highlight that while the British had significant advantages, internal divisions and strategic British policies played a crucial role in maintaining control over the subcontinent.

Relevant Facts for the Answer:

1. Superior weaponry and military technology: British weapons such as muskets and artillery were superior to those used by Indian kingdoms.
2. Subsidiary Alliances (Wellesley): British alliances with rulers like the Nizam of Hyderabad and Maratha chiefs.
3. Paramountcy and indirect rule: British rule through loyal Indian aristocrats post-1857 rebellion.
4. Revenue policies: British land revenue systems (e.g., Permanent Settlement) that drained Indian resources.
5. Railway development: Indian Railways expanded for efficient troop movement and economic exploitation.
6. Repression after 1857 Revolt: Violent suppression of uprisings, including the execution of key leaders and the disbanding of the Mughal Empire.