Why Indian States Failed Against the British
By the early 19th century, it was clear that the decline of Indian powers was not due to one single defeat, but because of deep, systemic weaknesses that the British understood and exploited.
Constant Intrigue and Warfare Among Indian States
- Indian powers rarely stood united against the British.
- Marathas vs Mysore, Nizam vs Marathas, Holkar vs Sindhia — such rivalries were common.
- The British repeatedly played one Indian state against another, gaining allies in one war and turning on them in the next.
- Example: During the Mysore Wars, the British secured Maratha and Nizam support; during the Maratha Wars, they secured Holkar’s neutrality or hostility to Sindhia.
Factionalism Within the Administration
- Governance in most states relied on personal loyalty, family connections, caste ties, and patronage networks rather than institutional efficiency.
- This created factions that undermined central authority.
- Case of the Marathas:
- The confederacy was divided among Sindhia, Holkar, Bhonsle, Gaekwad, each prioritising their own territory and ambition over the Peshwa’s authority.
- Internal rivalries consumed their energy while the British strengthened their hold.
Failure of Resource Mobilisation
- The British controlled Bengal after 1765 — one of the richest provinces — and used its revenues to finance further wars.
- Indian states lacked such a steady, secure source of income.
- Revenue systems were inefficient and often depended on forced extraction from peasants rather than organised, sustainable taxation.
The Pindari Factor and the Pindari War (1817–1818)
Who Were the Pindaris?
- Semi-regular cavalrymen attached loosely to Maratha armies.
- Not salaried — they survived on plunder during campaigns.
- Famous for fast raids deep into enemy territory.
The Problem
- After many Maratha states joined the Subsidiary Alliance, their regular armies were downsized and the Pindaris lost official support.
- Many turned to independent raiding, targeting even British-controlled areas.
- 1812–13 raids on Mirzapur and Surat devastated trade and challenged British prestige.
British Response
Governor-General Lord Hastings saw the Pindaris as both a law-and-order threat and a political opportunity:
- Mobilised a massive force in 1817.
- Surrounded Pindari bases and cut off their mobility.
- By 1818, most Pindari leaders surrendered, and their bands were dispersed.
Impact
- Removed a major irregular force from the Deccan political scene.
- Further weakened the Maratha chiefs, who had lost one of their traditional military assets.
- Strengthened British paramountcy in central India.