What could be the reasons for the confidence of
the British rulers about their position in India before
May 1857?
Answers
(i) Since the mid-18th century Nawabs and Rajas had gradually lost their authority and honour. Residents had been stationed in many courts, the freedom of the rulers reduced, their armed forces disbanded and their revenues and territories taken away by stages.
(ii) The Company decided to end the Mughal dynasty. In 1849, Governor-General Dalhousie announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar the family of the king would be shifted out of the Red Fort. In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal emperor and after his death his descendants would be recognised as princes.
The British became confident about their position in India because of the following reasons:
a. The Mughal rulers, after the death of Aurangzeb, were not strong and powerful. Hence, it was easier for the British to annex states.
b. The disunity among nawabs and the Mughal rulers helped the British have a firm stronghold over Indian society, starting from Bengal.
c. The policies, like Subsidiary Alliance, helped British annex territories one after another, without the use of any military power.
d. The revolt of 1857 was crushed by the British leading to their supremacy over Indian society.