British Rule in India: Establishment & Rule of British Crown - UPSC Notes

British Rule or British Raj in India refers to the period of British colonialism in the Indian subcontinent. The British crown has direct control over India. They ruled from the mid-18th century until India gained independence in 1947. The rise of British power in India started in 1757 and they ruled for 200 years till 1947. The rule is known as colonialism. British rule is known for economic exploitation, political oppression, and cultural imperialism. 

British Rule in India is relevant under the theme of Modern History in the Prelims exam, General Studies (GS - 1) paper, and History Optional paper in Mains. In recent years, UPSC started asking direct factual and chronological questions in prelims and analytical questions in the Mains exam. This British Rule in India article will help you prepare for the UPSC Exam. This article in the testbook will discuss British rule in India in detail. We will also learn about the impact of British Rule in India. To learn about more such topics in an interactive manner from expert mentors and to take your preparation to a more robust level check out the UPSC CSE Online Coaching.

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Beginning of British Rule in India

This system of governance was instituted on 28 June 1858, when, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the rule of the East India Company was transferred to the Crown in the person of Queen Victoria, who, in 1876, was proclaimed Empress of India. It lasted until 1947 when the British Raj was partitioned into two sovereign dominion states: the Union of India (later the Republic of India) and the Dominion of Pakistan (later the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and People's Republic of Bangladesh in the 1971 Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence). At the inception of the Raj in 1858, Lower Burma was already a part of British India; Upper Burma was added in 1886, and the resulting union, Burma, was administered as an autonomous province until 1937, when it became a separate British colony, gaining its independence in 1948. It was renamed Myanmar in 1989. The Chief Commissioner's Province of Aden was also part of British India at the inception of the British Raj. It became a separate colony known as Aden Colony in 1937.

• The beginning of British rule in India can be traced back to the establishment of the first trading factory of the East India Company (EIC) in Masulipatnam in 1611. 
• The EIC slowly expanded its trading operations and started factories in various parts of India, including Surat, Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta (Kolkata).
• The EIC was a British joint-stock company founded in 1600 to establish trade relations with countries in the East Indies, including India, China, and Indonesia.
• The British successfully eliminated the major trading powers, such as the Portuguese, Dutch, and French to rule over India.
• The forces of EIC defeated the Portuguese in the Battle of Swally (1612) near Surat and ended the dominance of the Portuguese.
• The Battle of Plassey in 1757 was the decisive point in establishing the British Raj in India.
• After this battle, EIC became the de facto ruler of Bengal and expanded its control over other regions.
• After the Battle of Buxar (1764), EIC appointed residents in the states of India, and the Company officials started interfering in the internal affairs of states.

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The establishment of British governance in India gradually started with the British East India Company's trade and military influence and eventually culminated in the British Crown's direct rule. This transition occurred over several decades, marked by key events like the Battle of Plassey (1757), the Government of India Act of 1858, and the Indian Rebellion 1857. After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British Government took over the administration to establish the British Raj. The British Raj was the British Parliament's rule on the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947, and it ruled for around 89 years of British occupation. The establishment of British Governance in India took place with the help of charters, acts, doctrines, and various policies given below:

• Regulating Act, 1773: Governor General in Bengal will head the governance in India with the help of four Councillors. The Regulating Act also established a supreme court in Calcutta to oversee legal matters of EIC in India.
• Subsidiary Alliance: Lord Wellesley framed the Scheme of the Subsidiary Alliance to control Indian princely states. Nizam of Hyderabad was the first ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance in 1798. As a result, many Indian states lost their autonomy and came under British rule.
• Charter Acts: Four charter acts were introduced every 20 years to establish control over India. The Charter Act of 1793 mandated that members of the Board of Control and their employees be paid from Indian revenue. The Charter Act of 1813 ended the commercial monopoly of EIC except for trade with China and trade in tea. The monopoly ended after the Charter Act of 1833. The last Charter Act of 1853 introduced an open competition system for recruiting civil servants.
• The Doctrine of Lapse: Lord Dalhousie introduced the Doctrine of Lapse in 1848. This was an annexation policy to extend the British Paramountcy. According to this policy, any Indian princely state without a legal male heir would be annexed by the company. Under this doctrine, Satara was the first state to be annexed.
• Government of India Act of 1858: The GOI Act abolished the rule of EIC and transferred the powers of governance, revenues, and territories directly to the British Crown. The system of double government and Doctrine of Lapse was also ended. It has devised a new office of Secretary of State for India as the medium of contact between the government in Britain and the Indian administration.
• Indian Councils Act 1861 & 1892: The Act of 1861 started associating Indians with the law-making procedure. Indians were nominated as non-official members of the council of viceroy. The Indian Councils Act of 1892 further expanded the number of central and provincial council members. The power to discuss the budget was also provided to members.
• Government of India Act 1909: The GOI Act,1909, or Morley-Minto reforms, allowed the association of Indians with the executive Councils of the Viceroy and Governors for the first time. The act introduced communal awards. It has led to communal differences in the country.
• Government of India Act 1919: The GOI Act 1919 introduced bicameralism and direct elections. It was provided for the Public Service Commission. Provincial budgets from the Central budget were also separated. There was a limited extension of voting power given to Indians.
• Government of India Act 1935: The GOI Act of 1935 introduced provincial autonomy. The provinces of British India were given a greater degree of independence and the power to make laws. 

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Rule of British Crown in India from 1757 to 1947 

The British Crown's rule in India spanned from 1757 to 1947, nearly 200 years. This era began with the British East India Company gaining political power after the Battle of Plassey. Following the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the British government assumed control, establishing the British Raj, and the crown directly ruled India. This rule lasted until 1947, when India and Pakistan were partitioned into two sovereign dominions. The British crown ruled India from 1757 to 1947, a period of nearly 200 years. The British followed the policy of Divide and Rule to develop animosity between Hindus and Muslims against each other.

• The British Crown ruled India from 1757 to 1947, a period of nearly 200 years.
• The British followed the policy of Divide and Rule to develop animosity between Hindus and Muslims against each other. 
• The partition of Bengal in 1905 and the inducement from the Muslim League of India (1907) were part of the divide-and-rule policy.
• The British also adopted an economic exploitation policy in India. They taxed the Indian people and used the money to fund development initiatives in Britain.
• During World War I, In 1914 Britain declared war on Germany on India's behalf without consulting Indian leaders. Therefore, over 1.5 million Indian soldiers participated in the British Indian army, and many lost their lives.
• The British Crown had several administrative reforms, including the establishment of a centralized system of government, introducing modern education, and constructing infrastructure such as roads, railways, and ports. 
• They had tried to vandalize rich Indian culture and values and replace them with Western values.
• They have also introduced draconian laws and ordinances to curb freedom in India. Ex. Rowlatt Act, Official Secrets Act, etc.

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British Raj was a period of direct British rule over the Indian subcontinent from 1858 until the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947. The Raj succeeded in managing the subcontinent by the British East India Company after general distrust and dissatisfaction with company leadership resulted in a widespread mutiny of sepoy troops in 1857, causing the British to reconsider the governance structure in India. The British government took possession of the company's assets and imposed direct rule. The Raj was intended to increase Indian participation in governance, but the powerlessness of Indians to determine their future without the consent of the British led to an increasingly stubborn national independence movement. The impact of British rule in India was profound and far-reaching. It has impacted every aspect of Indian society and culture. Let us look at the impact of British Rule in India for the IAS exam.

Positive Impacts 

• Modernization of the Education System: The British introduced modern education in India. Learning English language education has opened up new opportunities for Indians. It has allowed them to participate in the global economy and become science, medicine, and law leaders.
• Infrastructure Development: During colonial rule in India, a vast network of railways, roads, and ports was built across the country. It has helped to modernize the country and facilitate economic growth.
• Social Reforms: They introduced social reforms to improve the status of women and marginalized communities in India. This included the abolition of practices such as sati and child marriage.
• New Job Opportunities: They introduced new career options that were especially helpful to marginalized individuals. The system of civil services was introduced.
• Rise of the Modern Middle Class: The colonial rule led to a significant middle class who would become pioneers of industrialization in post-independent India.

Negative Impacts 

• Deindustrialization: When Britain took control, they ordered states to import items from the British Isles rather than manufacture their own. They also destroyed existing industries and handicrafts.
• Frequent Famines & Poverty: British rule in India was characterized by devastating famines. They were often the result of British economic policies and practices. Millions of people died as a result of these famines.
• Cultural Suppression: The British tried to impose their own culture and values on India, often at the expense of traditional Indian culture and practices. This led to the erosion of Indian cultural identity and the loss of traditional knowledge and practices.
• The Drain of Wealth: It has occurred in many ways, such as military spending, home charges, paying interest on foreign loans using India's money, etc.
• Ruralisation: Deindustrialisation and ruining handicraftsmen led to the ruralisation of India. Artisans had given up their occupations because of low wages and started moving towards agriculture, increasing pressure on land.
• Impoverishment of Peasantry: Due to intermediaries, the taxes levied were very high, deteriorating the agriculture sector. It has also paved the way for absentee landlordism. The permanent settlement, the Mahalwari system was responsible for the poor position of peasants.

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Fall of British Rule in India 

British rule in India ended on August 15, 1947, with the passage of the Indian Independence Act, which partitioned the country into India and Pakistan. This act, receiving Royal Assent on July 18, 1947, marked the formal end of the British Raj and the beginning of independent nation-states. British Raj was a period of direct British rule over the Indian subcontinent from 1858 until the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947. India gradually fell under British rule, primarily driven by the British East India Company, which evolved from a trading company into a colonial power. The act took effect on August 15, 1947. The fall of British rule in India can be attributed to several factors. Here are some of the immediate reasons:

• Royal Indian Navy Mutiny (1946): It was the final nail in the coffin of British rule in India. It indicated that the British were losing control of the local armed forces.
• World War II: The impact of World War II weakened the British Empire and made it difficult for Britain to maintain control over its colonies.
• International Pressure: The global political environment changed rapidly during the 20th century, and colonialism became increasingly unpopular. 

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Conclusion

The British Raj's impact is multifaceted, with arguments for both positive and negative consequences. The period is remembered for its complex interactions and the lasting effects on India's history, culture, and development. The legacy of British rule in India remains a complex and contested issue. Many Indians consider it a period of exploitation and oppression, while others recognize the positive contributions that British rule made to Indian society and infrastructure. The British Empire brought about some positive changes in India. Still, the negative impact of British rule was far more significant and had lasting effects on Indian society and its development.

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