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From Commerce to ConquestThe British in India

1784-1828

Chaplain consecrates East India Company regimental Colours

1799From: India House Library and

Records

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Introduction

Since no one had gone to India with a blueprint of empire or with a sense of imperial purpose the initial period of 'conquest' was haphazard, chaotic and draining.

Not only did indigenous structures of authority give way under this assault but the East India Company itself almost collapsed into bankruptcy.

The British Parliament decided to mount a salvaging operation and

in 1784, through Pitt's India Act, established a very basic framework of government.

Such a framework, however, had very little character. It was neutral, a scaffolding of empire without the bricks and mortar. But what sort of empire should be constructed?

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A scaffolding without bricks…

What sort of empire should be constructed? Was it to be a permanent or temporary structure? What were its functions and responsibilities? How was the new 'raj' to be run? These were the questions which were asked in 1784. By 1828 the answers were known. Various schools of thought had turned their minds to the

problem and submitted tenders to lay the foundations for empire.

This tutorial will look at that tendering process.

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A HOST OF MEDDLERS. THE COMING OF WESTERNISATION 1784-1828 Pitt's India Act 1784 erects the

scaffolding of empire But questions concerning its

architecture remain what kind of empire was this EICo

Raj to be? doubts about the bricks and mortar Questions asked from 1784

onwards. By 1828 the answers are known

                                               

                                                               

Wife of Company official supervises tailor

From: Collection of Lawrence Impey

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Three blueprints for the Raj

INDIRECT RULE WHERE FEASIBLE

MIXED RULE: THE BEST OF BOTH SYSTEMS

DIRECT RULE AT ALL TIMES

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INDIRECT RULE WHERE FEASIBLE

a) Orientalist - policy of non-interference preservation of

Hindu/Muslim society to rule but not to reform

Warren Hastings

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MIXED RULE: THE BEST OF BOTH SYSTEMS

b) Pragmatist - represents the common-sense view of the British presence - good government needed

for trade, as well as justification of imperial rule

- But this did not necessarily mean English government or institutions.

Cornwallis

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DIRECT RULE AT ALL TIMES

c) Anglicist - Hinduism debased and must be destroyed.

- Asiatic society despotic and must be replaced.

Two pronged attack: Evangelical (Wilberforce, Grant,

Shore) : Evangelical formula: improvement via the bible

Utilitarian (James Mill, Bentham, Bentinck)Utilitarian formula: improvement via British laws.

Wilberforce

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ORIENTALISM

i) For Robert Clive this meant Expediency. What could be done, rather than necessarily what should be done. Simply run the Mughal system if possible.

ii) For Warren Hastings this meant Indianisation. Instead of turning Indians into Brown Englishmen, turn Englishmen into White Asians.

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PRAGMATISM Governor-General Cornwallis comes out with a job to do (1786-1792).

- Clean up corruption & run govt efficiently He does this by professionalising the Administration. Establishes the

Imperial Civil Service [ICS] on a salaried basis. (Haileybury College 1806) reforms the land Revenue system (i.e., he regularises taxation.)

Two systems of land tenure introduced throughout India: a) Zemindari System [via landlords]

Bengal and North India

b) Ryotwari System [via peasants] South India

Revolutionary change = introduction of concept of private property Result = land could be lost by Zemindars and ryots, in event of failure

to pay taxes. Bania (moneylenders) move in. Poverty.

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ANGLICISM

Evangelical Assault :

a) Charles Grant [Chairman of EICo] Clapham Sect 1772 writes: 'Observations on State of Society among Asiatic subjects of Great Britain' Although a drainpipe study of Hindu India, this work

acquires status of a Government White Paper. Provides Christian rationale of Empire Ladder of Civilisation

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b) James Mill [Policy-Maker fo EICo. 1818-28] 1806-18 writes: History of India in 6 volumes Becomes a set text at Haileybury. Extremely influential throughout 19th century Message: Before India can be improved, its

past must be destroyed. 1828 : The Anglicists win the day.

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Tutorial Questions to Address

1. 'Orientalism':A blueprint for accommodation? Examine the architectural designs of Edmund Burke and Warren Hastings.

2. The Anglicist Alternatives:Consider Cornwallis's initiatives in the area of bureaucracy, land settlement, and the restructuring of Indian Society.Compare these with the more common sense approaches of Thomas Munro and Mountstuart Elphinstone.

3. Evangelical Blitzkrieg:The bulldozing away of Indian culture? Consider the programs of Wilberforce and Charles Grant.

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Bibliography

Stephen Blake, 'From Shahjahanabad to Delhi: Mughal Rule to Company Raj, 1839-1857', pp.5-17.

G.J. Bryant, 'The Military Imperative in Early British Expansion in India, 1750-1785', pp. 18-35.

P.J. Marshall, 'The White Town of Calcutta under the Rule of the East India Company', pp. 42-52.

Penelope Carson, 'The Company and the Cross', pp. 72-83.