Regional Powers and British Expansion

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After the Battle of Buxar (1764), the Company appointed Residents in Indian states. Through the Residents, the Company officials began interfering in the internal affairs of Indian states. Sometimes the Company forced the states into a "subsidiary alliance". According to the terms of this alliance, Indian rulers were not allowed to have their independent armed forces. They will be protected by the Company but had to pay for the "subsidiary forces" that the Company maintain for the purpose of this protection. If the Indian rulers failed to make the payment, then part of their territory was taken away as a penalty. Mysore controlled the profitable trade of the Malabar coast where the Company purchased pepper and cardamom. In 1785 Tipu Sultan stopped the export of these substances through the ports of his kingdom and disallowed local merchants from trading with the Company. He also established a close relationship with the French in India and modernised his army with their help. The book covers all aspects of British expansion in subcontinent from trade to rule.

Ashish Parmar is a leading historian of British India. He has taught at several universities in India and the United States, including the University of California and Berkeley University. Parmar's work has focused on the political, economic, and social history of British India. He is particularly interested in the relationship between the` British colonial government and the Indian people. His work has shown how the British colonial government used a variety of methods to control and exploit the Indian people, including military force, economic coercion, and cultural assimilation. Parmar's research has been published in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Asian Studies, the American Historical Review, and the Economic and Political Weekly. He has received several awards for his work, including the American Historical Association's Award for Scholarly Distinction. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops on the history of India, and he has given lectures at universities and other institutions around the world.

There had been trading relations between India and the west from ancient times itself (land route). However, in 1453, the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople and this brought the regular trade routes. under the control of the Turks. This urged the Europeans to search for new trade routes, especially by sea. In 1492, Columbus from Spain set out to reach India and discovered America instead. Later, in 1498, Vasco Da Gama of Portugal discovered a new trade route, travelling around Africa. He reached India at Calicut, Kerala (1498) acquiring the distinction of being the first European to reach India via the sea route. The Portuguese were the first to establish colonies in India. Due to their superiority on the seas, they could easily maintain their positions against the powerful land forces in India. Also since they were mainly concentrated in south India, they did not have to face the might of the Mughal empire. In 1602, the Dutch East India Company was formed, and the people from the Netherlands were empowered by their government to make war, conclude treaties, acquire territories and build fortresses. The French, under Dupleix, who had come to India by then had already started interfering in the affairs of the local princes using their well-equipped army. In 1742, a war had broken out in Europe between France and England. Following the death of the nizam in 1748, his son Nasir Jung took over the crown. He was challenged by Muzaffar Jung, a grandson of the nizam. Similar situations were in the Carnatic, where Chanda Sahib was conspiring against the nawab Anwarudeen. The French took the sides of both the rebels, and won both of their claims for them, killing Anwarudeen and Nasir Jung. The English, naturally took the side of the fallen, under Muhammad Ali, a son of Anwarudeen. The wars were then won by the English side under the able generalship and cunning of Robert Clive. Finally, the French recalled Dupleix from India, according to their treaty in 1754. Later, in 1760, the French were completely destroyed at the battle of Wandiwash. Thus, the English remained the sole masters of India.

**Contents and Sample Pages**