Question
Evaluate the extent to which rulers of Indian states could exercise power independently from the
British in the period 1750–1900.
(written like an 8th grader)
context:
thesis:
body paragraph 1:
evidence 1: (paraphrased)
evidence 2; (paraphrased)
body paragraph 2:
evidence 1: (paraphrased)
evidence 2; (paraphrased)
Source: Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, ruler of the southeast Indian state of Arcot, letter to the Court of Directors of
the British East India Company, 1777.
Sirs, it has been five years since the Company gave me positive orders to take the neighboring state of Tanjore and lent
me its troops for that purpose. It has been almost three years since, keeping my promise, I took Tanjore and expelled its
ruler.
Since then, I have been paying, out of my state coffers, all the debts that the prince of Tanjore had accumulated, much
of it to Europeans of other nations. He had mortgaged parts of his territory to the Dutch; I paid them off. I also paid the
troops of his army the back wages that he owed them and took care to suppress the banditry in the Tanjore country that
he had allowed to fester. I have also been preventing the Marathas* from attacking this country, by buying them off
with large sums of money. I have made great advances to the prosperity of the inhabitants of Tanjore by giving them
bulls and rice from my domains.
Sirs, it is well known that Tanjore lies in the Carnatic lowlands and that I am, by the blessing of God, the ruler of that
part of India. It is only by your favor and assistance, Gentlemen, that I got possession of my right, and I am thankful to
you day and night. Nonetheless, I cannot conclude this letter without noting that, by changing your mind and now
insisting that the prince of Tanjore be restored to his throne, you are opening this region to your enemies. Reinstating
the prince of Tanjore is just the same as inviting the French in this country, because, when they bring their forces here
and start hostilities against you, he is certain to ally with them and supply them with everything they need. Give him
back the revenues of Tanjore and you might as well be giving them to the French or to the Marathas. Whereas, should
they remain in my hands, I will make sure that no part of the wealth of the country falls into the hands of our common
enemies.
*an alliance of states in west-central India which were, at the time, at war with the British.
Doc 2; Source: Anonymous Indian artist, scene from a wall painting depicting the 1780 Battle of Pollilur, in which the south
Indian state of Mysore defeated an army of the British East India Company. The painting was made circa 1784 and was
used to decorate the palace of the rulers of Mysore.
Doc 3; Source: Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore, letter to the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, 1785.
Your Majesty,
Receiving Your letter and gifts, which You sent to me by Your special emissary, has honored me boundlessly. In
acknowledgment of Your letter and gifts I respectfully offer You my most humble allegiance and obedience.
As a steadfast believer, and desiring, like You, to always support the noble religion of Muhammad, I have taken it upon
myself in recent years to chastise and drive away the adherents of Christianity and especially the wicked English from
these parts of India. Unable to continue fighting me in that war,* the English begged me for peace in the most abject
manner. This is such a well-known fact that it hardly needs to be mentioned. With the divine aid and the blessing of
God, I am now again firmly committed to the total destruction of the enemies of the faith and their extirpation from
India.
*the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784), which ended with the East India Company recognizing the independence
of Mysore
doc 4; Source: John Malcolm, official of the East India Company and former governor of Bombay, response to a survey by the
company’
s Court of Directors on the political situation in India, 1832.
I am decidedly of the opinion that the tranquility and indeed the security of our vast Indian territories depends on our
preserving and protecting those native Indian principalities that have allied with us and rely on us for their security. Not
only are these states incapable, in their present condition, of forming any dangerous alliances against us, but they also
absorb many elements of sedition or rebellion, which might otherwise have been directed at our rule.
The other great benefit we derive from maintaining these native states is that their continued existence mitigates to
some extent the bad general impression that our sovereignty produces in the eyes of many Indians. It helps us dispel the
accusation that we make alliances in India only to serve our short-term goals and discard our former allies when they
have served our purposes. While this accusation is in many cases untrue or exaggerated, it is one of the most common
objections to our power.
It is further to be observed that the native princes, as men of high birth, are greatly respected by their subjects. As such
they afford an example to their countrymen of submission to the rule of foreigners and, by doing so, they contribute
greatly to the preservation of the general peace. I am convinced that any attempt of ours to annex their territories, while
it may temporarily increase our revenues, will be a hazard to the permanence of our rule in India.
Document 5
Source: Laxmi Bai, queen of the north Indian state of Jhansi, proclamation to the people of Jhansi and to fellow Indian
rulers, announcing her support for the Sepoy Rebellion, 1858.
To God only belongs the World, and the command of it rests with Him!
Indian Princes! May you always be religious, virtuous, benevolent and brave, and the protectors of your own and of the
religion of others. God has created you for the destruction of those who seek to destroy your faith.
It has now become evident to all men that the English are the enemies of all our religions. From time immemorial have
they been trying to contaminate the Hindu and Muslim religions by the production and circulation of religious books
through the medium of missionaries, and by destroying our own religious books that try to put forth arguments against
them. The English have shown their efforts to contaminate our religion and traditions in various ways. First, by forcing
Hindu widows to remarry; second, by abolishing our ancient customs; and third, by favoring and promoting those
Indians who embrace the Christian faith. The English have also wrongfully held that the succession to the thrones of
Indian princes is only permitted to natural sons and have insisted that rulers’ adopted sons are prohibited from
succession. This is something that is contrary to Hindu scriptures, in which adopted sons are given the same privileges
as natural heirs.
These are the ploys by which the English deprive us of our thrones and wealth—as seen in their recent actions in
Nagpur and Oudh.* Now, in their latest outrage, they have given their [Indian] Sepoy troops a new rifle to use that
requires the Sepoys to bite through bullet cartridges greased with animal fat** and have begun executing those Sepoys
who refused to use the cartridges. I implore the Hindus in the name of the holy river Ganges and the God Vishnu, and I
implore the Muslims in the name of Allah and the Holy Qur’an, to join us in destroying the English and in protecting
our mutual welfare. Know, oh people, that you would never have another opportunity like this to drive the English
away!
*former Indian states taken over by the British in 1853 and 1856, respectively
**The 1857 adoption of the Enfield rifle by the British Indian army was one of the immediate causes of the Sepoy
Rebellion.
British in the period 1750–1900.
(written like an 8th grader)
context:
thesis:
body paragraph 1:
evidence 1: (paraphrased)
evidence 2; (paraphrased)
body paragraph 2:
evidence 1: (paraphrased)
evidence 2; (paraphrased)
Source: Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, ruler of the southeast Indian state of Arcot, letter to the Court of Directors of
the British East India Company, 1777.
Sirs, it has been five years since the Company gave me positive orders to take the neighboring state of Tanjore and lent
me its troops for that purpose. It has been almost three years since, keeping my promise, I took Tanjore and expelled its
ruler.
Since then, I have been paying, out of my state coffers, all the debts that the prince of Tanjore had accumulated, much
of it to Europeans of other nations. He had mortgaged parts of his territory to the Dutch; I paid them off. I also paid the
troops of his army the back wages that he owed them and took care to suppress the banditry in the Tanjore country that
he had allowed to fester. I have also been preventing the Marathas* from attacking this country, by buying them off
with large sums of money. I have made great advances to the prosperity of the inhabitants of Tanjore by giving them
bulls and rice from my domains.
Sirs, it is well known that Tanjore lies in the Carnatic lowlands and that I am, by the blessing of God, the ruler of that
part of India. It is only by your favor and assistance, Gentlemen, that I got possession of my right, and I am thankful to
you day and night. Nonetheless, I cannot conclude this letter without noting that, by changing your mind and now
insisting that the prince of Tanjore be restored to his throne, you are opening this region to your enemies. Reinstating
the prince of Tanjore is just the same as inviting the French in this country, because, when they bring their forces here
and start hostilities against you, he is certain to ally with them and supply them with everything they need. Give him
back the revenues of Tanjore and you might as well be giving them to the French or to the Marathas. Whereas, should
they remain in my hands, I will make sure that no part of the wealth of the country falls into the hands of our common
enemies.
*an alliance of states in west-central India which were, at the time, at war with the British.
Doc 2; Source: Anonymous Indian artist, scene from a wall painting depicting the 1780 Battle of Pollilur, in which the south
Indian state of Mysore defeated an army of the British East India Company. The painting was made circa 1784 and was
used to decorate the palace of the rulers of Mysore.
Doc 3; Source: Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore, letter to the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, 1785.
Your Majesty,
Receiving Your letter and gifts, which You sent to me by Your special emissary, has honored me boundlessly. In
acknowledgment of Your letter and gifts I respectfully offer You my most humble allegiance and obedience.
As a steadfast believer, and desiring, like You, to always support the noble religion of Muhammad, I have taken it upon
myself in recent years to chastise and drive away the adherents of Christianity and especially the wicked English from
these parts of India. Unable to continue fighting me in that war,* the English begged me for peace in the most abject
manner. This is such a well-known fact that it hardly needs to be mentioned. With the divine aid and the blessing of
God, I am now again firmly committed to the total destruction of the enemies of the faith and their extirpation from
India.
*the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784), which ended with the East India Company recognizing the independence
of Mysore
doc 4; Source: John Malcolm, official of the East India Company and former governor of Bombay, response to a survey by the
company’
s Court of Directors on the political situation in India, 1832.
I am decidedly of the opinion that the tranquility and indeed the security of our vast Indian territories depends on our
preserving and protecting those native Indian principalities that have allied with us and rely on us for their security. Not
only are these states incapable, in their present condition, of forming any dangerous alliances against us, but they also
absorb many elements of sedition or rebellion, which might otherwise have been directed at our rule.
The other great benefit we derive from maintaining these native states is that their continued existence mitigates to
some extent the bad general impression that our sovereignty produces in the eyes of many Indians. It helps us dispel the
accusation that we make alliances in India only to serve our short-term goals and discard our former allies when they
have served our purposes. While this accusation is in many cases untrue or exaggerated, it is one of the most common
objections to our power.
It is further to be observed that the native princes, as men of high birth, are greatly respected by their subjects. As such
they afford an example to their countrymen of submission to the rule of foreigners and, by doing so, they contribute
greatly to the preservation of the general peace. I am convinced that any attempt of ours to annex their territories, while
it may temporarily increase our revenues, will be a hazard to the permanence of our rule in India.
Document 5
Source: Laxmi Bai, queen of the north Indian state of Jhansi, proclamation to the people of Jhansi and to fellow Indian
rulers, announcing her support for the Sepoy Rebellion, 1858.
To God only belongs the World, and the command of it rests with Him!
Indian Princes! May you always be religious, virtuous, benevolent and brave, and the protectors of your own and of the
religion of others. God has created you for the destruction of those who seek to destroy your faith.
It has now become evident to all men that the English are the enemies of all our religions. From time immemorial have
they been trying to contaminate the Hindu and Muslim religions by the production and circulation of religious books
through the medium of missionaries, and by destroying our own religious books that try to put forth arguments against
them. The English have shown their efforts to contaminate our religion and traditions in various ways. First, by forcing
Hindu widows to remarry; second, by abolishing our ancient customs; and third, by favoring and promoting those
Indians who embrace the Christian faith. The English have also wrongfully held that the succession to the thrones of
Indian princes is only permitted to natural sons and have insisted that rulers’ adopted sons are prohibited from
succession. This is something that is contrary to Hindu scriptures, in which adopted sons are given the same privileges
as natural heirs.
These are the ploys by which the English deprive us of our thrones and wealth—as seen in their recent actions in
Nagpur and Oudh.* Now, in their latest outrage, they have given their [Indian] Sepoy troops a new rifle to use that
requires the Sepoys to bite through bullet cartridges greased with animal fat** and have begun executing those Sepoys
who refused to use the cartridges. I implore the Hindus in the name of the holy river Ganges and the God Vishnu, and I
implore the Muslims in the name of Allah and the Holy Qur’an, to join us in destroying the English and in protecting
our mutual welfare. Know, oh people, that you would never have another opportunity like this to drive the English
away!
*former Indian states taken over by the British in 1853 and 1856, respectively
**The 1857 adoption of the Enfield rifle by the British Indian army was one of the immediate causes of the Sepoy
Rebellion.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Evaluate the extent to which rulers of Indian states could exercise power independently from the British in the period 1750–1900.**
**Context:**
During the time between 1750 and 1900, India was undergoing major changes. The British East India Company was expanding its control over Indian states, while local rulers tried to maintain their independence and power. Some rulers were able to assert their authority, while others found themselves increasingly under British influence.
**Thesis:**
While some rulers of Indian states, like Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah and Tipu Sultan, demonstrated an ability to exercise power independently and even resist British control, overall, the British East India Company gradually diminished their power through a mix of military might, political maneuvering, and strategic alliances.
**Body Paragraph 1:**
Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, the ruler of the arcot state, shows the ability of Indian rulers to navigate power dynamics, yet also reflects their limitations. In a letter, he emphasized his achievements after taking over Tanjore. He highlighted paying off debts from the previous ruler and sending aid to the people. However, he was still reliant on British support for his power, admitting that he owed his success to their assistance.
**Evidence 1:**
Wallajah managed to take control of Tanjore and claimed to have made it prosperous, showcasing that he had some independent power.
**Evidence 2:**
He requested the British to not restore the previous ruler, indicating his understanding that his position was still vulnerable to their decisions. This shows that even as he exercised power, he remained dependent on the British for his authority.
**Body Paragraph 2:**
On the other hand, rulers like Tipu Sultan of Mysore actively resisted British control, illustrating how some states attempted to assert their independence. In a letter to the Mughal emperor, Tipu Sultan expressed his commitment to fighting against the British, claiming success in repelling their forces during the Second Anglo-Mysore War. His defiance against the British, alongside his strong identity as a ruler, reflects a serious challenge to the British influence.
**Evidence 1:**
Tipu Sultan's victories against the British army, such as the Battle of Pollilur, are depicted in artwork, suggesting a moment of significant independence and pride for Indian rulers against colonial oppression.
**Evidence 2:**
His proclamation that he would drive out the "wicked English" highlights his desire for full control over his state and the struggle against British presence, revealing that some local rulers did attempt to exercise their power independently.
In conclusion, while some Indian rulers could exert independence to a certain extent, like Wallajah and Tipu Sultan, their ability to retain power was greatly limited by the overwhelming influence of the British East India Company. The dynamic between British authority and Indian rulers was complex, with some rulers finding moments of power and resistance, but ultimately, the British established dominance over most Indian states by the late 19th century.
**Context:**
During the time between 1750 and 1900, India was undergoing major changes. The British East India Company was expanding its control over Indian states, while local rulers tried to maintain their independence and power. Some rulers were able to assert their authority, while others found themselves increasingly under British influence.
**Thesis:**
While some rulers of Indian states, like Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah and Tipu Sultan, demonstrated an ability to exercise power independently and even resist British control, overall, the British East India Company gradually diminished their power through a mix of military might, political maneuvering, and strategic alliances.
**Body Paragraph 1:**
Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, the ruler of the arcot state, shows the ability of Indian rulers to navigate power dynamics, yet also reflects their limitations. In a letter, he emphasized his achievements after taking over Tanjore. He highlighted paying off debts from the previous ruler and sending aid to the people. However, he was still reliant on British support for his power, admitting that he owed his success to their assistance.
**Evidence 1:**
Wallajah managed to take control of Tanjore and claimed to have made it prosperous, showcasing that he had some independent power.
**Evidence 2:**
He requested the British to not restore the previous ruler, indicating his understanding that his position was still vulnerable to their decisions. This shows that even as he exercised power, he remained dependent on the British for his authority.
**Body Paragraph 2:**
On the other hand, rulers like Tipu Sultan of Mysore actively resisted British control, illustrating how some states attempted to assert their independence. In a letter to the Mughal emperor, Tipu Sultan expressed his commitment to fighting against the British, claiming success in repelling their forces during the Second Anglo-Mysore War. His defiance against the British, alongside his strong identity as a ruler, reflects a serious challenge to the British influence.
**Evidence 1:**
Tipu Sultan's victories against the British army, such as the Battle of Pollilur, are depicted in artwork, suggesting a moment of significant independence and pride for Indian rulers against colonial oppression.
**Evidence 2:**
His proclamation that he would drive out the "wicked English" highlights his desire for full control over his state and the struggle against British presence, revealing that some local rulers did attempt to exercise their power independently.
In conclusion, while some Indian rulers could exert independence to a certain extent, like Wallajah and Tipu Sultan, their ability to retain power was greatly limited by the overwhelming influence of the British East India Company. The dynamic between British authority and Indian rulers was complex, with some rulers finding moments of power and resistance, but ultimately, the British established dominance over most Indian states by the late 19th century.