The British East India Company was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I, marking the beginning of British involvement in India.
Battle of Plassey
The British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, defeated Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, establishing British control over Bengal.
Battle of Buxar
British forces under Hector Munro defeated a coalition of Indian rulers, including the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor, consolidating British control over northern India.
Regulating Act
The British Parliament passed the Regulating Act, establishing greater control over the East India Company and introducing administrative reforms in India.
Pitt's India Act
The Pitt's India Act reorganized the East India Company's administration and created the position of Governor-General of India.
British Annexation of Maratha Empire
The British East India Company completed the annexation of the Maratha Empire, bringing most of India under British control.
English Education Act
The English Education Act was enacted, promoting the spread of English education in India and laying the foundation for Western-style education.
Doctrine of Lapse
Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India, implemented the Doctrine of Lapse, which allowed the British to annex Indian states that lacked a male heir.
Indian Rebellion/First War of Independence
The Indian Rebellion, also known as the First War of Independence, erupted in Meerut and quickly spread across northern and central India, challenging British rule.