Hist 4538
February 3, 2004
The Collapse of Mughal Power and the Rise of the East India Company
Monday, February 16, 5:30 (UMC 235): Ahmed Rashid, “The War on Terrorism and U.S. Policy: The View from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia”
Thursday class: be prepared to discuss Pandey’s “Encounters
and Calamities”
• traditional imperialist view: Mughals left power vacuum, which British filled in order to restore law and order, prosperity
◦ later development: view that British had duty to restore great Hindu civilization destroyed by Mughal despotism
• more recent nationalist interpretation (widely accepted): rise of regional powers (e.g. Marathas) who exercised effective control over their territory
◦ argues that parts of North India remained prosperous through 18th c
◦ sees continuity, as British Empire based on structure of these regional powers
• another nationalist view: British as alien invaders who brought poverty, not prosperity
• Marathas
◦ 1720s: expanded control of western India
◦ 1730s: humiliated Mughals themselves with raid on Delhi
◦ 1740s: extended power into Rajasthan, Delhi, and Punjab
• Nadir Shah (Persia/Iran)
◦ 1739: raided Delhi and carried off Mughal treasure, the Peacock Throne
• 1750s: Bengal a crucial trading base
• 1756: Nawab Siraj-ud-daula (ruler of Bengal) takes British base at Calcutta
◦ legend of “Black Hole of Calcutta”
• 1757: EIC retakes Calcutta
Robert Clive (1725-74)
• from unhappy EIC clerk to world-famous general
• conspiracy with Jagat Seth bankers and one of Siraj’s generals, Mir Jafar
• June 1757: at Battle of Plassey, Mir Jafar betrays Siraj, Clive is victorious
• Clive and EIC control Bengal through puppet rulers
• 1765: EIC accepts diwani (revenue collection rights) for Bengal from Mughal emperor