Karnataka SSLC Class 10 Social Science (History) Chapter 2 ‘The Extension of The British Rule’ textbook Questions and Answers Solution by Expert Teacher. This Chapter Exercise includes Fill in the blanks, Discuss in groups questions and answers.
I. Fill in the blanks with suitable answers:-
- At the end of First Anglo-Maratha war, Salbai agreement was signed between the Marathas and the British.
- The Subsidiary Alliance system was implemented by Lord Wellesley.
- The Doctrine of Lapse policy was implemented in the year 1848.
- The Doctrine of Lapse policy was implemented by Lord Dalhousie.
II.) Discuss in group and then answer the following:-
1.) Explain the reasons for the First Anglo-Maratha War.
The Marathas installed Shah Alam-II back on the throne of the Mughal Empire in Delhi. Shah Alam-II was under the control of the British after the defeat in the Buxar war. Now, the Emperor gave Kora and Allahabad to Marathas, which he had earlier given to the British. This resulted in the enemity between the Marathas and the British. During this period, the death of the Maratha strong man Madhav Rao Peshwa was a major setback to Marathas. Though his brother Narayanrao came to power, he was murdered by his uncle Raghobha. This resulted in an infighting for the Peshwa post. The Maratha federation brought Madhav Rao II the minor son of Narayana Rao to the post of Peshwa. The British thought of exploiting this situation in their favour. A long war was waged from 1775 to 1782 between the Marathas and the British.
2.) What were the conditions under Subsidiary Alliance? Explain.
Lord Wellesley brought this policy into effect in 1798 in order to bring the local kings under control. This was basically a military protection agreement between the East India Company and the Indian State. (i) The Indian Kings had to keep the British Army in their kingdom. (ii) The state concerned had to bear the expenses of the army and the wages of soldiers, and also had to give certain revenue lands as well. (iii) The King had to have a British Resident in his Court. (iv) The King could not appoint any other European without the permission of the British. (v) In order to enter into any agreement or pact with any Indian state, the permission of the Governor General was mandatory. (vi) In return for all these services, the Company would offer protection to the state from any internal or external aggression.
3.) Explain the third Anglo-Maratha War.
The Maratha families tried their best to protect their independence and honour. Even the Peshwa attempted to free himself from the clutches of the English. In 1817 the Peshwa attacked the British Residency in Poona and burnt it down. Appa Saheb of Nagpur and Malhar Rao Holkar rebelled against the British and were suppressed ruthlessly. Finally in 1818, Peshwa Baji Rao II fought against the British at Koregaon and Ashti and later surrendered to the British. The British abolished the Peshwa post and granted a pension to Baji Rao II. They installed Pratapa Simha, the descendant of Shivaji as the ruler of Satara, a mini state, and named him as the traditional leader of Marathas and suppressed the Maratha resistance.
4.) How did the Doctrine of Lapse support the expansion of British Empire in India?
Lord Dalhousie adopted the Doctrine of Lapse policy whereby the adopted children of Indian Kings were refused their right to throne. According to this policy, “If any Indian ruler died childless, his adopted children had no legal right over the throne”. Such a state was merged with the British Empire. Princely states like, Satara, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Jhansi, Jaitpur came under this policy. As the Governor General knew the conditions of these states, he used this policy as a political weapon. With the severe implementation of this policy not only the princely families, even ordinary people who were sympathetic to these kings rebelled against the Company. As per this any adopted son of the Indian ruler could not be proclaimed as heir to the kingdom. This changed the Indian ruler’s long-held authority to appoint an heir of their choice.
5.) Which were the states that came under the Doctrine of Lapse policy?
Lord Dalhousie adopted the Doctrine of Lapse policy whereby the adopted children of Indian Kings were refused their right to throne. According to this policy, “If any Indian ruler died childless, his adopted children had no legal right over the throne”. Such a state was merged with the British Empire. By the use of the Doctrine of Lapse, the company took over the princely states of– Satara (1848), Jaitpur, Sambalpur (1849), Bhagat (1850), Udaipur (Chattishgarh state) (1852), Jhansi (1854), Nagpur (1854), Tanjore and Arcot (1855).
III.) Activity:-
1.) Analyze the strategies adopted by the British to expand their empire in India and Write an essay on the Same.
Through the Carnatic wars, the English made the other Europeans countries not to challenge them in India. They gained complete political control over Bengal through Plassey and Buxar battles. By 1765, they had gained control over most of the eastern parts of India. Since the Marathas and Mysore states were dominant in the southern and western part of India, the hold of the British was restricted to Bengal and Bombay regions only. Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan of Mysore along with Peshwas of Marathas were the only impediments in the path of expansion for the British. The others were Sikhs in the North western region. Ranjit Singh who emerged in the early part of the nineteenth century was a formidable opponent to the British. He was successful in organizing the Sikhs. The British also waged repeated wars from the mid eighteenth century to mid nineteenth century to extend their empire in India. Apart from this, they also annexed various kingdoms with cunning policies like ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ and ‘Doctrine of Lapse’. During this period, the British waged three Anglo-Maratha wars, four Anglo-Mysore wars and two Anglo-Sikh wars. The Maratha federation was unable to sustain the war with the British and finally entered into ‘Salbai Agreement’ and ended the war. Lord Wellesley brought this policy into effect in 1798 in order to bring the local kings under control. This was basically a military protection agreement between the East India Company and the Indian State. Dalhousie who arrived in India as the Governor General in 1848 made a final attempt to integrate Indian princely states with the British Empire. He adopted the Doctrine of Lapse policy whereby the adopted children of Indian Kings were refused their right to throne. According to this policy, “If any Indian ruler died childless, his adopted children had no legal right over the throne”. Such a state was merged with the British Empire.
Also See: This Chapter Extra Questions and Answers