HISTORY A-LEVEL INDIA TIMELINE

  • Merchants ask to voyage to Indian Ocean

  • Founding of the EIC

  • William Hawkings becomes the first EIC member in India

  • First trading post for textiles is set up

  • Battle of Plassey

  • Battle of Buxar

  • Regulating Act of 1773

    • Created a governning council of five for the company
    • Two members were selected by company and other three chosen by parliament
    • Act ensured the Gov. General in India was appointed by council selected by monarch
  • Regulating Act of 1784

    • Established a Board of Control to regulate political functions of the EIC
    • Membership of the board decided by parliament and the king
  • 1786 Act

    • Company became a regularised subsidiary of the crown. (it was no longer an independent company, and was overseen by parliament)
    • Gave Gov. Genral in India the powers to override governing council in special circumstances
  • Period: to

    Reshaping of the trading function

    • EIC had become an administrator to territory rather than simply engaging in commercial activity
    • British representatives in India saw themselves as rulers rather than traders
    • EIC now employed civil servants to help administer and collect taxes
  • Founding of Haileybury College

    EIC established the college in Hertfordshire to specifically train civil servants to help run the growing terrirtory
  • 1813 Charter Act

    • Ended the EIC monopoly on trade except for the trade in tea with China
    • Permitted Christian missionaries the chance to preach in Company territory
    • Suggested provisions for the education of Indians
  • 1833 Charter Act

    Completely removed the EIC monopoly. Caused the Company to rethink its function.
  • Period: to

    First Afghan War

    Culminated in a famous retreat from Kabul. The campaign cost over 20000 lives and £15 million