Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Battle of Plassey, fought in 1757, is widely considered the turning point in British India’s history. While often portrayed as a military victory, its true significance lay in establishing the East India Company as a major political player. Prior to Plassey, the Mughal Empire, though declining, still held nominal authority. However, the battle demonstrated the Company’s ability to influence, and ultimately control, Indian rulers. The phrase “mercenary became the Kingmaker” aptly describes this post-Plassey reality, where the Company’s military and financial power allowed it to install and depose Indian rulers at will, marking a shift from trade to territorial control and political dominance.
The Initial Phase: Exploiting Weaknesses (1757-1764)
Immediately after Plassey, the East India Company, led by Robert Clive, installed Mir Jafar as the Nawab of Bengal. This was not a benevolent act but a calculated move to secure Company interests. Mir Jafar was a weak and pliable ruler, heavily reliant on British support. The Company exploited this dependence, extracting vast sums of money and securing lucrative trade concessions. This period witnessed rampant corruption and the blatant use of Company resources to influence local politics.
The Dual System of Governance (1765-1772)
The Treaty of Allahabad (1765), following the Battle of Buxar, formalized the Company’s political control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The ‘Dual System’ emerged, where the Company assumed the *Diwani* (right to collect revenue) while the Nawab retained *Nizamat* (police and judicial functions). This system proved disastrous. The Company focused solely on maximizing revenue, neglecting administration and leading to widespread famine, most notably the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, which is estimated to have killed 10 million people. The Nawab was rendered powerless, and the Company effectively became the kingmaker, manipulating the Nawab for its own gains.
Expansion and Intervention in Other Regions (1772-1857)
The Company’s ambition extended beyond Bengal. They actively intervened in the politics of other Indian states, often playing one ruler against another. Examples include:
- Mysore: The Anglo-Mysore Wars (1766-1799) were largely driven by the Company’s desire to control Mysore’s trade and territory. The Company supported different factions within the Mysore court to weaken the kingdom.
- Awadh: The Company gradually annexed Awadh through a series of treaties and interventions, exploiting internal disputes and financial weaknesses.
- Maratha Confederacy: The Anglo-Maratha Wars (1772-1818) saw the Company systematically dismantling the Maratha power, often by forging alliances with rival Maratha chiefs.
- Hyderabad: The Subsidiary Alliance system, introduced by Wellesley, brought Hyderabad under British control, effectively making the Nizam a puppet ruler.
The Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse
The Subsidiary Alliance (introduced by Lord Wellesley in 1798) and the Doctrine of Lapse (introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1848) were key instruments used by the Company to expand its control. The Subsidiary Alliance forced Indian rulers to maintain British troops and accept British guidance in foreign affairs, effectively surrendering their sovereignty. The Doctrine of Lapse allowed the Company to annex states where the ruler died without a natural heir. These policies further solidified the Company’s position as the ultimate kingmaker, dictating the fate of numerous Indian states.
The Sepoy Mutiny and the Transfer of Power
By 1857, the East India Company had become the de facto ruler of much of India. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, triggered by a variety of grievances, exposed the fragility of Company rule. Following the Mutiny, the British Crown assumed direct control of India, ending the Company’s reign. However, the legacy of the Company – its use of military force, political manipulation, and economic exploitation – continued to shape British policy in India.
Conclusion
The assertion that the mercenary became the kingmaker after Plassey is demonstrably true. The East India Company, initially a commercial enterprise, skillfully exploited the political fragmentation and economic vulnerabilities of 18th and 19th century India. Through a combination of military strength, financial manipulation, and strategic alliances, it gradually transformed itself from a trading partner to a dominant political force, controlling the destinies of Indian rulers and ultimately paving the way for complete British colonial rule. This period serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked corporate power and the devastating consequences of colonial exploitation.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.