Trace the growth of the British Rule in India from the 17^th to 20^th centuries.

• Entry into Indian trade

• Acquisition of a few trade areas and warehouses.

• Control of Indian states

• The complete subjugation of India.

Use the above hints and write a few sentences on each.

Initially British were not interested in India, they just invaded the country for the spices and crop that only rich in India. The same was the intention of Dutch and Portuguese, trading the spices and other crops. When the British could not avoid the influence of the Dutch and Portugal in the trade practice, their interest increased in India.

In 1612, the British established a Tradepost in the Gujarat, Surat. In 1614, Sir Thomas who was the official of the East India Company signed the commercial treaty with Jahangir to trade much more efficiently. The first set of factories was started in Ahmedabad, Broach and Agra.

In 1640, they established their outpost at Madras. In 1661, the East India Company managed to obtain Bombay from Charles II and by 1668, converted it into a flourishing trade centre.

The winning of the Battle of Plassey and battle of Buxar was the step of stone to the political rule of British in India. These battles took place in 1764 and this led to the emergence of power in Bengal, Bihar and Orrisa.

There where famous wars which were led by the British, which made them stronger in India.

• First Anglo Mysore War (1767–69): Hyder Ali had to face the British Bombay Army attacking west and Madras Army attacking the east. Hyder Ali gained over the Madras and treaty was signed

• Second Anglo Mysore War 1780–84 Tipu defeated Baillie at the Battle of Pollilur in September 1780, and Braithwaite at Kumbakonam in February 1782. 1784 Treaty of Mangalore was signed and the war ended with this treaty

• Third Anglo Mysore War 1790–92 Tipu had to surrender half of his kingdom to the British and its allies. 1794 the treaty of Srirangapatnam was signed. This was followed by the defeat of the Tipu.

• Fourth Anglo Mysore War 1798- 99: Tipu’s army was outnumbered compared to the British Army. British won the victory and Tipu was killed during this war.

• The death of Tipu Sultan has led to the second Anglo Maratha War in 1803.

• Third Maratha War (1817-1818) which ended the powerful Maratha rule. The British ultimately won

The British have fought many wars between the years of the 1760s to 1824. After 1824 they had captured most of the power in India. This increase in the power of East India Company has emerged the Sepoy mutiny in 1857. After this Mutiny, the British rule was transferred to the crown rule and entire India was controlled by the British.

This was the growth of the British in India with the small brief.