Short Q/A

 3 . Mention merits and demerits of Subsidiary alliance system .

Ans. Merits: 

1. Strengthened British political and military control in India.

2. Provided Indian states with military protection against external threats.

Demerits: 

1. Eroded sovereignty of Indian rulers, leading to loss of autonomy.

2. Imposed financial burdens on Indian states for maintaining British troops, causing economic strain.

5 .  List the main features of the regulating Act of 1773.

Ans . The Regulating Act of 1773 established the Governor-General of Bengal and his council, created a Supreme Court in Calcutta, required the East India Company to report its affairs to the British government, and restricted company officials from engaging in private trade.


Long Questions and Answers

Q no. 1. Give a brief account of the carnatic wars.

Ans. The Carnatic Wars (1746-1763) were a series of three conflicts between the British and French East India Companies in Southern India, primarily fought for dominance over trade and territory. Key battles included the Siege of Arcot and the Battle of Wandiwash. The wars ended with British victory, establishing their supremacy in India and diminishing French influence significantly.

Q no. 2. Analyse the police reforms that were introduced by lord cornwallis.

Ans . Lord Cornwallis' police reforms (1793) in India centralized the police system, placing it under direct British control. District magistrates oversaw local police, improving accountability and reducing corruption. He established a hierarchical structure with regular salaries, replacing the zamindari system of private law enforcement. These reforms professionalized policing but often alienated local populations.

Q no. 3. Write a note on the judicial reforms of the british .

Ans. British judicial reforms in India standardized legal procedures and established a hierarchy of courts. Key changes included the creation of the Supreme Court in Calcutta (1774), codification of laws, and introduction of the principle of equality before the law. The reforms aimed to reduce corruption and arbitrariness but often marginalized traditional legal systems and alienated local populations by imposing foreign legal concepts.

Q no. 4. Give an account of the army under the british. 

The British Indian Army was a crucial instrument of colonial control, comprising British officers and Indian soldiers (sepoys). It was structured hierarchically, with Indian regiments often segregated by ethnicity and caste. The army played a vital role in expanding and maintaining British rule, suppressing rebellions, and participating in global conflicts. However, it also fostered discontent, exemplified by the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.