Let’s start in the 18th century. Gorkha Conquests in the West (1767 onwards) After this victory, the Gorkhas expanded their power from Bhutan in the east to the Sutlej River in the west, building a strong military reputation. Nepal–Sikh Conflict – Clash of Mountain and Punjab Power How it Started (1805–1809) Ranjit Singh had a…
When we talk about the foreign policy of India during British rule, it’s very important to remember one thing: India was not making its own foreign policy.It was the British who were ruling India, so whatever “India’s foreign policy” was at that time, it was actually the foreign policy of the British Empire—designed to protect…
If we look at Indian history between Plassey (1757) and the Revolt (1857), one question naturally comes up:“How could a foreign trading company — that came to buy and sell — end up ruling over such a vast and ancient civilisation in less than a hundred years?” The answer lies not in one single reason…
By the mid-19th century, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856), the British pursued a determined policy of territorial expansion to bring maximum area under direct British rule.Two key instruments were used: Doctrine of Lapse First Case: Satara (1848) – King Appa Sahib died without a natural heir and had adopted a son without British approval. States…
By 1818, the British had already defeated the Mysore Sultanate and dismantled Maratha power. The entire Indian subcontinent, except Punjab and Sindh, was either: The next four decades would see the British move into the north-west, annexing Sindh, Punjab, Awadh, Central Provinces, and many smaller states — completing the conquest of India. The Global Context…
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 Factionalism Within the Administration Failure of Resource Mobilisation The Pindari Factor and the Pindari War…
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…
