The Marathas emerged from the 18th century as one of the most powerful Indian confederacies. But their defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was a major blow. The sudden loss of men, resources, and prestige created cracks in their political unity. Even after recovering much of their strength under Peshwa Madhav Rao I,…
The rise of Haidar Ali and his son Tipu Sultan in the late 18th century created one of the most formidable challenges to British expansion in southern India.Both father and son fought four Anglo-Mysore Wars before Mysore was finally subdued. War Years British Governor-General First Anglo-Mysore War 1767–1769 – (Pre-Governor-General era) Second Anglo-Mysore War 1780–1784…
The 18th century in India was not only a story of Indian powers versus the British, but also of Indian powers versus each other.While the British were steadily expanding their influence, many regional powers — Mysore, the Marathas, the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Carnatic rulers — were locked in their own rivalries for territorial expansion…
By the middle of the 18th century, Bengal was not just another Mughal province — it was the jewel.Fertile fields, thriving industries, bustling ports — it was the richest province in India. Whoever controlled Bengal would command both immense wealth and strategic power. Naturally, this drew the attention of not just Indian rulers but also…
Imagine India in the early 18th century. The Mughal Empire, which had once stretched across almost the entire subcontinent, was now a giant in decline. Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 marked the turning point. With his passing, the central authority weakened, and like cracks in a great fortress wall, provinces began breaking away, forming small independent…
When we talk about the “British conquest of India,” it is easy to imagine that it happened through one or two decisive battles and everything was over. In reality, this was not a single event but a long, calculated process—stretching across a century—where trade slowly transformed into political control, and political control eventually became complete…
Just imagine 18th-century India, where European trading companies are no longer content with just spices and silks. They want power. And the gateway to power was South India, where local kingdoms were politically fragile and foreign merchants were gaining military muscle. After the Portuguese and the Dutch had been pushed to the sidelines, two giants…
When we study the European presence in India, we often hear names like the Portuguese, Dutch, and English. But what about the French? They came in a little late — but with grand ambitions. Let’s understand their journey in India: 🛳️ Late Entry into Eastern Trade (1664 onwards) The French East India Company (Compagnie française…
🏴☠️ Background: Britain’s Entry into Eastern Trade Let’s begin with a simple question:Why did the British come to India? They didn’t come to rule in the beginning — they came to trade. During the 16th century, Europe was in the midst of what historians call the Age of Exploration. Countries like Portugal and Spain had…
— A Story of Trade, Ships, Strategy, and Silent Retreat When we look at the entry of European powers into India, the Dutch story is unique. Unlike the Portuguese, they weren’t religious crusaders. Unlike the British, they didn’t aim for territorial conquest. The Dutch came purely as traders, and left almost silently — but not…
