History Notes: THE ADVENT OF EUROPEANS TO INDIA

THE ADVENT OF EUROPEANS TO INDIA - Notes

There were trade and commerce relations between India and Europe since ancient times. There was great demand for Indian pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and many other spices in Europe. The trade relations between India, Europe and other Asian countries continued even during the Middle Ages. The Arab merchants carried Asian merchandise to Constantinople of Eastern Roman (Byzantium) Empire. The Italian merchants would buy these goods and then sell them in European countries. Constantinople was thus the center of international trade and was considered as the 'Gateway of European Trade'. While Arab merchants had gained monopoly over the trade in Asian countries, Italian traders had gained monopoly over trade in Europe. The merchandise from Asia brought good profits to Italian merchants.

The fall of Constantinople: The trade and commerce between Asia and Europe was carried on place through the city of Constantinople. In 1453, the Ottoman Turks captured the city of Constantinople. As a result, all the trade routes connecting the city of Constantinople came under the control of Turks. The Turks started levying too many taxes on the goods passing through these routes. As a result, trade became unprofitable. Meanwhile, Spain, Portugal and other European rulers were attempting to break the monopoly of Italian traders. They started encouraging enterprising sailors to find a new sea route to India. The invention of compass, astrolabes, and gunpowder provided further impetus to this venture.

A new sea route to India: 

Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese sailor left Lisbon and reached Kappadu near Calicut on the West coast of India in 1498. Thus he was successful in discovering a new sea route to India. This route continued to be the route of trade between India and Europe for many years. the Portuguese were thus the first to re-establish trade between India and Europe.

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In 1869, a huge canal called Suez Canal. was built in Egypt to connect the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Until the building of Suez Canal, the sea route discovered by Vasco da Gama was the route used for trade between India and Europe. The ships had to pass the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of Africa, to reach India.

European Trade Companies:

With the success of the Portuguese, the Dutch, French and the English arrived in India for trade. This development not only changed the history of India, it also changed the history of European countries.

The Portuguese: 

The Portuguese were the first to arrive in India for trade and were also the last to leave India by the sea route. After Vasco da Gama, Francisco de Almeida arrived in India as the Viceroy of the Portuguese. He implemented 'Blue Water Policy' in order to establish the supremacy over the sea instead of supremacy over land. Alfonso de Albuquerque, who came after Almeida, is considered as the real founder of Portuguese power in India. He waged a battle against the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510 and won Goa. Goa became the administrative centre of the Portuguese administration in India. The Portuguese had absolute monopoly over trade with India for a century but their power declined with the arrival of English and French in India.

The rise and decline of the Dutch in India:

In 1602 the Dutch East India Company came to India and established trading centers at Surat, Broach, Kambe, Kochin, Nagapatnam, Masulipatnam and Chinsore. In the politics of Kerala the one who lived in the most important phase and rescued an important principality from the foreigners was Raja Marthanda Varma of Wynad. He ruled from 1729 to 1758 and saved from the surrounding rulers as well as foreigners. He made this as a great Kingdom among all. He stood against the foreigners who were greedy of pepper and brought many reforms in administration.

He shifted his capital from Padmanabhapura to Thiruvananthapura and made his Kingdom as 'world Travancore province'.

There were confusions and chaos in this kingdom before Marthanda Varma came to throne. Earlier ruler Rama Varma was very weak. The Dutch East India company possessed strong military power and had greater ambition in the politics. The surrounding rulers were also strong. The poleygars of Wynad made ruler Rama Varma weak. Even at a tender age of 10, Marthanda Varma suggested strategies to his maternal uncle Rama Varma for the raise of his province. As per that Rama Varma Contacted Pandyas of Madurai. This made the Poleygars to keep quite. This is how Marthanda Varma came to prominence at a young age only.

After Rama varma at the age of 24 years Marthanda Varma came to the throne. He Compiled an army of 50,000 Soldiers to extend the border of wynad. He occupied the pepper growing areas. By this time the Dutch who were trying to monopolise was defeated by Marthanda Varma. He controlled the surrounding areas and made them to oppose the Dutch. The Dutch with help of the provinces like Kayamkulam, Kochi, Purakkad and Vadakunkur attacked on travancore, Raja Marthanda defeated them and captured Nedumangala and Kottarakara trading centres. He also wrote a strong letter to the Dutch that he would never give up the trade rights of pepper to any foreigners.

In 1741 the Dutch declared war on Travancore with Kottarakara province in the forefront. Some of the local provinces also joined the Dutch. But Marthanda Varma's army strongly sent it back. The Dutch came back to kochin but with the help of Simhalese forces the Dutch attacked Marthanda Varma. Four days serious battle took place from 10th August 1741 at Kolachchal. Finally Travancore army had an upperhand in the battle and 24 important officers of the Dutch were taken as prisoners. The Dutch suffered huge losses. After the battle he did not keep quite. He decided to route out the Dutch from India and established the trade rights of pepper in Kerala and Tamilnadu. He also got back the ports which were in the control of the Dutch.

Kochin was recognised as a centre of spice trade during the period of Marthanda Varma Travancore became the richest province. Finally on 15th August 1753 a treaty was signed and the Dutch forces surrendered

its power to the Travancore province. This is how the period of Marthanda Varma has been recognised as an important phase in the history of India.

The rise of the english in India and the acquisition of the Islands of South-East Asia by the Dutch were the factors for the decline of the Dutch power in India.

The English: On 31st December 1600, Queen Elizabeth issued a

royal charter authorizing the East India Company to trade with Eastern countries for fifteen years. The company started the trade formally in 1613. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir issued a royal permission to English to establish their first warehouse or factory at Surat. In 1617, Sir Thomas Roe arrived at the court of Jahangir as the royal ambassador from the court of James I. He sought permission from Jahangir to establish factories in other places of Mughal Empire. The English established factories at Agra, Ahmedabad and Broach. In 1639, the English took Madras from the King of Chandragiri and established a strong fort named St. George Fort. Later, Charles II, the Prince of England, gave Bombay on an annual rent of ten pounds to East India Company in 1668. In 1690, the English purchased three villages namely Sutanauti, Calcutta and Govindapura on the banks of Hooghly River and built Fort William. The city of Calcutta grew around this fort. By the end of 17th century, the English had established Bombay, Madras and Calcutta as the centers of their Presidencies. By the later part of 18th century, the English made Calcutta their capital city. They implemented their own civil and criminal procedure codes in the areas that were under their control.

The French: 

The French East India Company started as a government owned company in 1664. It started its first factory at Surat in the year 1668. Later they established its factories in Machalipatinam, Chandernagore, Mahe, Karaikal, Cassimbazar, Balasore. In 1674, the French took Valikandapuram from a local Muslim official and developed it as a major trade center. Later it came to be known as Puducheri or Pondichery. This became the Capital of the French till they left India. Dupleix, who arrived (1746) in Pondicherry as the Governor General of the French had the high ambitions of establishing the French as a major power in South India. This ambition led to the Carnatic wars with the English.

The Competition between the English and the French

The Portuguese and the Dutch had withdrawn from India unable to withstand the competition from French and English by the middle of 18th century. Finally, the French and the English resorted to show of strength in order to establish their political supremacy over India. Meanwhile, political in Instability arose in the regions of Hyderabad and Carnatic (Eastern part of Tamil Nadu) and both the English and French tried to exploit the situation in their favour. This led to three Carnatic Wars.

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Hyderabad Kingdom was established in 1724 by Asaf Jha. His feudatory Dost Ali who was ruling Carnatic region was not loyal to him. The Marathas killed Dost Ali in 1740 and looted Carnatic and imprisoned his son-in-law Chandasheb in Satara. Asaf Jha named Anwaruddin as the Nawab of Carnatic in the place of Dost Ali.

First Carnatic War (1746-48):

On the request of Dupleix, La Bourdonnais, a French military leader from Mauritius invaded Madras and captured it from the English. This forced the helpless British to request the help of Anwaruddin, the Nawab of Carnatic. The army sent by Anwaruddin failed to defeat the French at Madras. Finally, La Bourdonnais took money from the English and returned Madras and went back to Mauritius. This enraged Dupleix and he attempted to take Madras but failed. Finally, the war ended with a treaty in Europe between France and England call Chapelle'. gland called Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle'.

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The Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jha died in 1748. A tussle started between his son Nasir Jung and his daughter's son Muzaffar Jung for the throne. On the other hand, a fight had broken out between Chandasaheb(who was released from the Maratha prison) and Anwaruddin in Carnatic. The French extended their support to Muzaffar Jung in Hyderbad and Chandasaheb in Carnatic. The English extended their support to Nasir Jung and Anwaruddin.

In 1749, the combined forces of French, Chandasaheb and Muzaffar Jung defeated Anwaruddin and killed him in the battle of Ambur. As a result Chandsaheb became the ruler of Carnatic. Mahammad Ali, son of Anwaruddin, stayed at Tiruchanapalli with the help of the English. In Hyderabad, Muzaffar Jung became the Nizam by killing Nasir Jung with the help of French and Chandasaheb. He was killed after a few days. The French made Salabath Jung, another son of Asaf Jha as the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Second Carnatic War (1749-1754):

In the changed circumstances, French made Salabath Jung, another son of Asaf Jha as the Nizam of Hyderabad. An officer named Bussy was appointed in Hyderabad for his protection by the French. In the Carnatic Chandasaheb had become the Nawab with the help of French.

Robert Clive of East India Company attacked Arcot, the capital city of Carnatic and defeated Chandsaheb. Chandsaheb was imprisoned and later killed in the war. In the place of Chandsaheb, the English named Mohammad Ali, the son of Anwaruddin, as the Nawab of Carnatic. The second Carnatic war ended with the Treaty of Pondicherry. the French recalled Dupleix. This war brought laurels to the English, while the French suffered a political setback.

Third Carnatic War (1756-1763):

Count de Lally of the French attempted to besiege the fort Wandiwash in 1760. In this decisive battle, Sir Eyre Coote of the English army defeated the French and imprisoned Bussy. Lally escaped and hid in Pondicherry. Finally, Eyre Coote attacked Pondicherry and Lally had to surrender unconditionally in 1761.

The French lost all their bases in India due to the Carnatic wars. In spite of this, as per the Treaty of Paris' signed in 1763, Pondicherry was returned to French. With these developments, the French lost their importance in India. In this way, the English by defeating all their rivals, started consolidating their power in Southern India.

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Robert Clive: Robert Clive, who laid the firm foundation of the British power in India, had joined the East India Company as clerk. He played a decisive role in the Carnatic wars, particularly in the siege of Arcot and played a prominent role in the British victory. He was successful in establishing the British rule over South India and was instrumental in Bengal victory also. After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, he gained control over the Nawab of Bengal also. Clive amassed immense wealth in all these ventures and helped the East India Company to earn more profit. Clive returned to England with immense wealth and became a Member of Parliament. With the return of Clive to England, the East India Company started facing losses in its business. Even though there were many allegations against Clive, the British government had to resend Clive to India to save the company and also save the face of the country.

The British won the battle of Buxar and earned back its respect. Clive was successful in securing the Diwani rights for the British over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha regions. This brought more wealth to Robert Clive and to East India Company as well. In 1767 Robert Clive returned to England.

Dupleix:

Dupleix was named the Governor General of French regions in India in 1742. He dreamt of achieving French hegemony over India and entered into treaties with the local kings. Hyder Ali was also trained in the army of locals raised by Dupleix. The British considered Dupleix as a formidable challenge to them. Hence, we notice clashes between the French and the British to gain supremacy over the Carnatic and Deccan Plateau. Dupleix played an important role in the First Carnatic War in 1746. The rivalry between the French and the British continued till 1754. Later, the French government recalled Dupleix as it wanted peace.

The British Rule in India

After gaining political control over South India, the British tried to gain control over the rich Bengal province in the later part of 18th century. The Bengal province had achieved tremendous growth in the areas of agriculture, commerce and industry. The East India Company was making considerable profits from this province. The Dastaks (licence) issued by the Mughal ruler Faruk Siar were the main reasons for this. But, these Dastaks that were limited to the company transactions were misused by the individual officers of the company too. This resulted in huge loss to the Bengal government. Hence, all Nawabs from Murshid Ali Khan to Ali Wardhikhan opposed such misuse. This led to confrontation between the Nawabs and the Company. This resulted in two crucial wars which charted a decisive course to Indian history. Plassey and Buxar were those two wars.

Know this:

Dastak - a license that could ensure anyone to import and export without paying any tax and transport goods anywhere.

Battle of Plassey (1757): 

Ali Wardi Khan, the Nawab of Bengal died in 1756. His grandson Siraj-ud-Daula came to the throne. The Battle of Plassey took place between the young Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah and the British in 1757.

Reasons:

1. Misuse of Dastaks: 

Siraj ud-Daulah was furious that the Dastaks were misused by the officials of the company causing losses to the government treasury.

2. Mending of the fort without permission: 

The British repaired the fort of Calcutta and placed canons in them. This further angered Siraj-ud-Daula and he ordered the removal of the canons from the fort. The British refused to do so, angering the Nawab further.

3. Black Room Tragedy: 

Siraj ud-Daulah conquered Fort William easily and imprisoned some the of British. He imprisoned 146 Englishmen in a small room in the fort, of which 123 died. This is called the Black hole Tragedy. This enraged Robert Clive and arrived in Bengal with a huge army.

Robert Clive attracted rich locals like Manikchand, Nemichand, Jagath Seth and others towards him. He was successful in convincing Mir Jaffar, the military head of Siraj-ud-Daula to stay neutral in the battle by offering him the post of Nawab of Bengal. Encouraged by these developments, Robert Clive declared a war against Siraj-ud-Daula on June 23rd, 1757. Everything went according to the plan of Clive. Siraj-ud-Daula who tried to escape from the battlefield, was captured and killed.

Outcomes:

1. This war brought out the immorality, OBE lack of unity among the Indians and the greed of Indian businessmen.

2. Mir Jaffar became the Nawab of Bengal.

3. The company gained exclusive rights to trade in Bengal.

4. Mir Jaffar had to pay Rupees seventeen crores and seventy lakhs to Sirja-ud-Daulah as war indemnity for the attack of Fort William.

In a nutshell, Mir Jaffar became a victim of the company and its employees. Eventhough the treasury went bankrupt due to this greedy nature, the greediness of the company and its officials was never satisfied. The British projected Mir Jaffar as an inefficient Nawab and brought in his nephew Mir Qasim as the new Nawab.

Battle of Buxar (1764): Mir Qasim was an efficient administrator. In the beginning he remained loyal to the company. He paid two lakh pounds to the company and gave away a few places to it. Shortly afterwards, he declared himself an independent King. After verifying the misuse of Dastaks, he declared all business was dutyfree in Bengal. Indians competed against the British in all spheres of business. As a result, the British trade suffered considerably. This was enough for the British to oppose the Nawab. They brought in Mir Jaffar again and dethroned Mir Qasim. As Mir Qasim knew the cunningness of the British, he went for an organized war against them. He was supported by Indian merchants and artisans. Mir Qasim entered into agreements with the Mughal ruler Shah Alam-II and Nawab of Awadh Shuj-ud-daula. The combined forces of Mir Qasim faced the British army led by Hector Munro at Buxar in 1764. Mir Qasim was defeated and ran away from the battlefield. Shah Alam-II surrendered. The efforts of the combined forces to stop the British failed miserably.

Outcomes:

TBS

1. Shah Alam-II accorded British. in Diwani rights over Bengal to the British

2. Shah Alam-II gave away all the rights over Bengal to the British for an annual fee of Rupees 26 lakhs.

3. Shuj-ud-daula the Nawab of Awadh had to pay war indemnity of Rupees 50 lakhs for waging a war against the company.

4. With the death of Mir Jaffar, the company paid pension to his son and took over the entire administration of Bengal.

The battle of Buxar made the British the real holders of power over Bihar, Bengal and Odisha provinces. Even Awadh remained under their control. In 1765, Robert Clive brought in Dual-government in Bengal'.

As per this, the British had the right to collect land taxes, whereas the Nawab had power over administrative issues like justice and others. In this way, the British gained political control over India to protect their business interests.

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