The British were primarily after economic interests in India, including control over trade routes, access to valuable resources, and establishment of lucrative industries. They also aimed to expand their empire and strengthen their global dominance through political and military control of the region.
What were the british after in india?
The British pursuit in India was driven by various motives, primarily centered on their economic interests, political domination, and desire to expand their empire. This ambition was fueled by a quote from Sir John Strachey, an influential British civil servant in India, who once wrote, “The material interests of England in India, though vast, are but a part of her interests in Asia; her moral interest is greater still.”
To delve deeper into the topic, here are some interesting facts about the British objectives in India:
-
Economic Interests: The British sought to gain control over the lucrative trade routes to the East, particularly the Indian Ocean trade, which was vital for their global economic dominance. They aimed to monopolize lucrative export goods such as spices, silk, indigo, and cotton, while expanding their own industrial base. Their economic exploitation of India was evident in policies like the British East India Company’s oppressive land revenue system and the deindustrialization of Indian textiles.
-
Political and Military Control: The British aimed to establish a strong political and military foothold in India, enabling them to safeguard their economic interests and expand their empire. This led to the gradual annexation of different regions through treaties, wars, and direct control. The British-appointed Governor-Generals exercised immense authority over the Indian subcontinent, strategically deploying their military forces to suppress rebellions and maintain control.
-
Expanding Empire and Global Dominance: India played a pivotal role in the British Empire’s objective of global dominance. Its vast resources, strategic position, and large population made it a valuable asset for the British. By controlling India, they aimed to ensure regional stability, protect their trade routes, and expand their influence in other parts of Asia. The British Empire’s “Jewel in the Crown,” as India was often referred to, symbolized their imperial might.
Table:
| Motives for British Presence in India |
|---|
| Economic Interests |
| Political and Military Control |
| Expanding Empire and Global Dominance |
In summary, the British were primarily driven by economic interests, political domination, and expanding their empire when they set their sights on India. Their pursuit of economic superiority, political control, and global dominance had a profound impact on the Indian subcontinent, shaping its history for centuries to come.
Video answer to “What were the British after in India?”
The British East India Company was able to conquer India due to the signing of a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I in 1600. The British became a leading exporter of spices and eventually became the dominant power in the region. The British East India Company’s army was able to defeat both the Bengal E’s and their French allies at the Battle of Plassey during the Seven Years War which allowed them to assert control over much of the Indian subcontinent unchecked through direct territorial possession or indirect tributary arrangements.
See additional response choices
The British took over India through a combination of trade, military prowess, and political influence. The East India Company, a private trading company, defeated the Nawab of Bengal in 1757 and gained the right to free trade and land in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The company expanded its control over other regions and faced resistance from some Indian rulers and soldiers, leading to the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. After the mutiny, the British Parliament abolished the company and transferred the power over India to the crown, creating the British Raj.
The beginning of British political influence over India may be traced to the battle of Plassey in 1757, when the English East India Company’s forces defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. As result of the Battle of Plassey, the English proclaimed Mir Jafar the Nawab of Bengal and set out to gather the reward i.e. the
The British presence in India began through trade. Men like Robert Clive of the British East India Company combined military prowess with a ruthless ambition and became fabulously wealthy. With wealth came power, and traders took control of huge swathes of India.
How did Great Britain finally take over India? Government of India Act of 1858 Much of the blame for the mutiny fell on the ineptitude of the East India Company. On August 2, 1858, Parliament passed the Government of India Act, transferring British power over India from the company to the crown.
The British Crown and British Parliament officially took over India in 1858 after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Before that time, the British East India Company controlled much of the Indian Subcontinent, but India was not officially under the British government. On August 2, 1858, Parliament passed the Government of India
From 1757, Britain increased its control of India through the East India Company. From 1858 onwards, the British government directly ruled India, and it became known as the British Raj.