Lesson 4: A world wide Empire
In this lesson you will learn how Britain, despite the loss of its American colonies, profited from intrigue in Europe and through companies such as the East Indian Company and through Parliamentary measures to dispose of its unwanted citizens, came to rule one third of the world.
British India
In l708 the East India Company was formed by a merger of two rival companies to trade with the “Indies.” It was to become the strongest European power on the coast of India, able to enforce its will by force on the native rulers and settling a pattern of company rule in the areas where they traded. In the mid-l8th century, over two thirds of that vast sub-continent was ruled by the Company.
Robert Clive defeated pro-French forces at Arcot in l75l, thus helping his East India Company to monopolize appointments, finances, land and power. Clive then defeated the Bangalese nabob in l757 at Plassey to become virtual ruler of Bengal. Warren Hastings then took over to strengthen British interests in India and to establish a basic pattern of government that remained virtually unchanged for almost one hundred years.
The subjection of a whole subcontinent was made possible by divisions in Hindu society. The British were often called on to defeat rival rulers and thus were able to become master in preference to dominance by a neighboring nabob. It would have been impossible to conquer and administer so many millions without the tacit assistance of a segment of the population. Much of India chafed under English practices; there were simply too many differences in social and religious customs between the two countries.
In l857, simmering discontent flared into a great mutiny, when sections of the army of Bengal attacked British settlers. The revolt was finally crushed by November, l858, the majority of Indians having remained loyal. The British government then took over the administration of India from the East India Company, and the British governor general became the Viceroy of India to represent the Crown.
In what became a model of the imperial experience Britain set up a network of roads, railroads, and telegraphs (in addition to the ubiquitous civil servant) helped unite the sprawling subcontinent; and an educated, English speaking elite emerged to further westernize its peoples. In l877, Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India by Prime Minister Disraeli.
