Impact of the highly improbable – Part 9

 “Main Meri Jhansi Nahi Doongi” was all Jhansi Rani said when she heard that the British had applied the Doctrine of Lapse to her Jhansi. Anand Rao, her adopted son was denied his rights.

Lakshmi Bai did not take the sword immediately. She always wanted peace and acted calmly. The Queen had been criticized by some authors in many places. It is even said that she was merely a Prisoner of Circumstances. But according to me she was brave. Bravery is not absence of fear but it is the determination to act despite fear. And that was what the Queen did!

At first she appealed against the decision through the Local Political agent Major Ellis. And she followed up with a second appeal. These appeals were refused by the British.

Lakshmi Bai then consulted with a British counsel, John Lang, who was in India. He was known for his success against the Company in the courts. This consultation is recounted by Lang in his book "Wanderings in India". Rani uttered the famous words "Main Meri Jhansi Nahi Doongi " when she met John Lang.

Her third appeal dated April 22nd 1854 was drafted with regard to Lang's advice. There followed an appeal to the Court of Directors in London, at considerable cost, but it also failed. Rani’s persistence is said to have irritated Dalhousie.

The Rani was forced into retirement. She was granted a monthly pension of 5,000 rupees, the palace now known as the Rani Mahal, state jewels and funds.

With the annexation, Rani left the royal palace of Jhansi Fort and moved to Rani Mahal.

The Rani Mahal, the palace of Rani Lakshmi Bai, has now been converted into a museum. It houses a collection of archaeological remains of the period between 9th and 12th centuries AD. (Source: Wikipedia)

 

In his book, The Rebellious Rani, Smyth had mentioned that “Over the next three years the Rani was steadily endearing herself to her people and fanning their resentment against the British”.

As she had been Rani of Jhansi for over 10 years she was already well known to her people and as for the people to hate British she did not have to do anything.  The British worked on this for themselves.

Some of the grievances against British at that time were as follows

1.      The British allowed cow slaughter within the town, a measure guaranteed to offend Hindus and the Rani protested in a letter of Aug 21st 1854.

2.      Villages which were assigned to the temple of Mahalakshmi, the family deity of the Jhansi royal family, for the upkeep of the temples, were 'resumed', i.e. returned to a normal status. Rs.1000 was added to the Rani's pension for her to provide support for the temples.

Mahalakshmi Temple Jhansi (Source: Wikipedia)

3.      Of the lands and gardens in the Rani's possession, only some gardens were granted to her. Other gardens and lands were resumed i.e. it was taken by the British Company.

4.      The Rani had to provide 4 guarantors for Rs. 100,000 she wanted from Damodar's inheritance for his thread ceremony. The British required this in case Damodar should want it back when he was granted the trust. Rani had to take it as a Loan. Ironically the British never gave him his inheritance!

5.      It is even said that gauging public sentiments and support for her, Rani asked permission from the British to move to Varanasi to lead a simple life. It is said that she merely used this as a threat. British however refused to give permission and asked her to stay in Rani Mahal. She did use the threat of leaving Jhansi in her negotiations, an indication of her economic and political power in Jhansi and that the British viewed her presence there as a benefit to themselves. British knew that People were calmed by the presence of the Queen.

6.      The dissolution of court of Jhansi resulted in many losing their jobs. This was causing huge resentment and the British knew that only the presence of their beloved queen in Rani Mahal was acting as calming factor.

7.      There was discontent with settlements in land disputes and in the assessment of land values for tax purposes.

8.      Stamp duty was required on all petitions lodged before a court, rendering justice too expensive for many.

During the years of retirement Rani is said to have been meticulous in her religious observances. She practiced rifle and pistol shooting, horse riding and physical exercise every day.

The situation remained same until 1857. What happened then? That is what we are going to see in the next post. :)

Antonia Fraser in her Book “Warrior Queens” mentions an interesting historical link. She mentions about Turab Ali who was in Jhansi and lived till the age of 113. He died in 1943. He survived long enough to tell tales of his youth.

He had watched the Rani practicing the art of managing her horse with the reins in her teeth and two swords in her hands.

It is a popular image. An image so well known! After all why won’t it be?

It is said that she was precisely that way when she plunged into the Battle Field finally!

To be continued…

Impact of the highly improbable – Part 8

Manikarnika was born in Holy city of Varanasi in a Brahmin Family. Her father was Moropant Tambe and her mother Bhagirathi. She lost her mother at a young age (when she was around four years old).

Her father worked in the court Peshwa Baji Rao of Bithoor district. Peshwa Baji Rao brought Manikarnika up like his own daughter. She was given pet names like Manu and Chhabli which means playful

She was educated at home. She was more independent in her childhood than others of her age; her studies included archery, horsemanship, and self-defense.

Now the readers must be wondering why I am writing about some girl called Manikarnika in the Black Swan Series. The last part was all about Sepoy mutiny right? Many would know and for the ones who are yet to connect the dots, let me make it clear.

Manikarnika was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao, in 1842. There she was given a name. A Name which would become an inspiration for every women! A Name that was inscribed in Golden letters in the History of India! And it was Rani Lakshmi Bai!

 

Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai is one who had inspired me in many ways. So it would be difficult for me to proceed with the series without mentioning something about her. This post would thus concentrate on the background of the Great Queen. It is a popular story worth telling again but I promise to keep it short J

Jhansi Rani gave birth to a boy named Damodar Rao in 1851, but when he was four months old he died. The Raja then adopted a child Anand Rao, the son of Gangadhar Rao's cousin, who was renamed Damodar Rao, on the day before he died.

The adoption happened in the presence of the British political officer who was given a letter from the raja requesting that the child should be treated with kindness and that the government of Jhansi should be given to his widow for her lifetime. After the death of the raja in November 1853 because Damodar Rao was adopted, the British East India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, applied the Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting Damodar Rao's claim to the throne and annexing the state to its territories.

In March 1854, Lakshmibai was given a pension of Rs. 60,000 and was ordered to leave the palace and the fort.

 East India Company thus refused to accept the adopted son of the Raja of Jhansi Gangadhar Rao. Dalhousie then annexed Jhansi, saying that the throne had "lapsed" and claimed the right to put Jhansi under his protection.

The Doctrine of Lapse can be considered as one of the main Black swan which contributed to the fall of British East India Trading Company.

The nobility, many of whom had lost titles and domains under the Doctrine of Lapse, which refused to recognize the adopted children of King’s as legal heirs, felt that the Company had interfered with a traditional system of inheritance.

Did the Brave Queen just accept her fate? Of course not!

When informed about the annexation of Jhansi by British, the Queen made her point with just one line. The famous words which were immortalized in the walls of History...

“Main Meri Jhansi Nahi Doongi” – I will not give up my Jhansi

To be continued…

Impact of the highly improbable – Part 7

In the previous post I had mentioned about two significant events which I had termed as, “The Cartridge Effect” and “The Bundelkand Effect”.

First let us look at the Cartridge Effect and the personality connected with that incident. Mangal Pandey

On February 26, 1857 the 19th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment became concerned that new cartridges they had been issued were wrapped in paper greased with cow and pig fat, which had to be opened by mouth thus affecting their religious sensibilities.

Photo of the Enfield Rifle, the pending adoption of which caused unrest in the Bengal Army in early 1857 (Source: Wikipedia)

 

The cartridge was thought to be greased with animal fat, primarily from pigs and cows, which could not be consumed by Muslims and Hindus respectively (the former being abhorrent to Muslims and the latter a holy animal of the Hindus). The cartridges had to be bitten at one end before use. The Indian troops were of the opinion that this was an intentional act of the British, with the aim of defiling their religions. And obviously British did not realize the impact of such sentiments or may be they did not estimate the power such sentiments could evoke. A black swan again.

On March 29, 1857 at the Barrackpore (now Barrackpur) parade ground, near Calcutta (now Kolkata), 29-year-old Mangal Pandey of the 34th BNI, angered by the actions of the East India Company declared that he would rebel against his commanders. He was hanged on April 8th 1857. This incident triggered and marked the beginning of what came to be known as the Sepoy Mutiny, India's First War of Independence or Indian Mutiny of 1857.

 The Mangal Pandey cenotaph on Surendranath Banerjee road at Barrackpore Cantonment, West Bengal (Source: Wikipedia)

 

But introduction of the cartridge was not the only policy mistake which the British did. Another policy which affected the nobles at that time was Doctrine of Lapse which contributed to the “Bundelkand Effect”

The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy purportedly devised by Lord Dalhousie, who was the Governor General for the East India Company in India between 1848 and 1856. Dalhousie applied the Doctrine of Lapse vigorously for annexing Indian princely states, but the policy was not solely his invention. Even before him there were many states annexed by the Company. But his actions were more intensive. I would term Doctrine of Lapse as the biggest Black Swan the company ignored.

Lord Dalhousie, the  Governor-General of

India from 1848 to 1856 (Source: Wikipedia)

 

According to the Doctrine, any princely state or territory under the direct influence of the British East India Company (the dominant imperial power in the subcontinent), as a vassal state under the British Subsidiary System, would automatically be annexed if the ruler was either "manifestly incompetent or died without a direct heir". The latter meant that adopted child would not get the right to rule and this interfered with the traditional system of inheritance. In addition, the British decided whether potential rulers were competent enough. The doctrine and its application were widely regarded by Indians as illegitimate

The company took over the princely states of Satara (1848), Jaitpur and Sambalpur (1849), Nagpur and Jhansi (1854), Tanjore and Arcot (1855), Udaipur and Awadh (Oudh, 1856, with the reason that the ruler was not ruling properly) using this doctrine. The Company added about four million pounds sterling to its annual revenue by use of this doctrine.

Did the nobles just accept their fate? 

No there was one who led the rebellion and interestingly she was not a king but the Queen. The famous Queen of Bundelkand.

As famous Indian poetess Subhadra Kumari Chauhan describes in her poem

 “Sinhasan hil uthey raajvanshon ney bhrukuti tani thi,

budhey Bharat mein aayee phir se nayi jawani thi,

gumee huee azadi ki keemat sabney pehchani thi,

door phirangi ko karney ki sab ney man mein thani thi.

Chamak uthi san sattavan mein, yeh talwar purani thi,

Bundeley Harbolon key munh hamney suni kahani thi,

Khoob ladi mardani woh to Jhansi wali Rani thi.”

 “The thrones shook and royalties scowled

Old India was re-invigorated with new youth

People realised the value of lost freedom

Everybody was determined to throw the foreigners out

The old sword glistened again in 1857

This story we heard from the mouths of Bundel bards (Religious singers of Bundelkand)

Like a man she fought, she was the Queen of Jhansi”!!

 To be continued… 

Impact of the highly improbable – Part 6

We saw in the previous post how the English East India Trading Company started expanding its territories and how the Mughal dynasty fell.

Though the Company was becoming increasingly bold and ambitious in putting down resisting states, it was getting clearer that the Company was incapable of governing the vast expanse of the captured territories

The Bengal famine of 1770, in which one-third of the local population died, caused distress in Britain.

At around the same time The Tea Act was passed in 1773. It gave the Company greater autonomy in running its trade in America, and allowed it an exemption from the tea tax which its colonial competitors were required to pay.

The Act granted the Company the right to directly ship its tea to North America and the right to the duty-free export of tea from Britain, although the tax imposed by the Townshend Acts and collected in the colonies remained in force.  The Act received the royal assent on May 10, 1773.

This became one of the major causes for American Revolution

It started with the Boston Tea Party

The Tea Party was the culmination of a resistance movement throughout British America against the Tea Act, which had been passed by the British Parliament in 1773. Colonists objected to the Tea Act because they believed that it violated their rights as Englishmen to "No taxation without representation," that is they had to be taxed only by their own elected representatives and not by a British parliament in which they were not represented. Protesters had successfully prevented the unloading of taxed tea in three other colonies, but in Boston, embattled Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson refused to allow the tea to be returned to Britain. (Source: Wikipedia)

Depiction of Boston Tea Party (Source: Wikipedia)

This iconic 1846 lithograph by Nathaniel Currier was entitled "The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor"; the phrase "Boston Tea Party" had not yet become standard. Interestingly this depiction shows few of the men dumping the tea were actually disguised as Indians. (Source: Wikipedia)

The notice from the "Chairman of the Committee for Tarring and Feathering" in Boston denounced the tea consignees as "traitors to their country". (Source: Wikipedia)

The Boston Tea Party was a key event in the growth of the American Revolution.

The Boston Tea Party has often been referenced in other political protests. When Mohandas K. Gandhi led a mass burning of Indian registration cards in South Africa in 1908, a British newspaper compared the event to the Boston Tea Party. When Gandhi met with the British viceroy in 1930 after the Indian salt protest campaign, Gandhi took some duty-free salt from his shawl and said, with a smile, that the salt was "to remind us of the famous Boston Tea Party."

In 1973 the US Post Office issued a set of four stamps, together making one scene of the Boston Tea Party (Source: Wikipedia)

As we can see the policies which were thought as a boon by the Company at that point of time actually became a bane because they failed to see the hidden black swan. They never realized that it would invoke such a huge resentment.

The English East India Trading Company did not learn from what had happened to the Mughals. It too ignored many black swans which indicated that their days were numbered.

For instance, The Parliament of Great Britain imposed a series of administrative and economic reforms and by doing so clearly established its sovereignty and ultimate control over the Company. The Act recognized the Company's political functions and clearly established that the "acquisition of sovereignty by the subjects of the Crown is on behalf of the Crown and not in its own right”.

The above was a clear indication of Great Britain’s intention of how the company should be and it did not like the way it was functioning. After all it was getting too ambitious.

Often policies are created without considering the impacts. And when the effect is felt it is the human ego which prevents the reversal. Men in power try to suppress to make the policy work. But unfortunately it doesn’t go well that way. Like the Tallow greased cartridges (which affected the religious sentiments) and the Doctrine of Lapse of East India Trading Company

The above two mentioned policies were triggering factors of the Sepoy Mutiny. This rebellion is also known as India's First War of Independence, the Great Rebellion or the Indian Mutiny.

Depiction of Sepoy Mutiny 1857 (Source: Wikipedia)

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 did not occur as a result of one specific event; it was an accumulation of several events, over time, resulting in its eventual outbreak.

We would now look at two important events in the first war of Indian Independence.

I would term these two events as, “The Cartridge Effect” and “The Bundelkand Effect”.

Two personalities are intimately connected to these events.

Who were they? And what did they do?

And what went so wrong in the policies that it led to the dissolution of the Company?

To be continued…

Pleasant surprise in my inbox :) The Liebster Award post!

It is always nice when your friends share their happy moments with you. And so was I when Preethi Mam (I was one of her students as mentioned in the 8^th point in her “Eleven facts about myself” ;) ) shared her Liebster Award with me.

Thanks a lot Ma’m.

I was told that when this award is shared, I am expected to do the following things.

1. Post 11 facts about yourself

2. Answer the 11 questions the tagger has given you

3. Tag 11 more Bloggers (with no more than 200 followers; no tagging back) and make 11 questions for them

4. Tell the people you tagged that you did.

I would definitely do the first 2 things. Don’t think that I am being so mean. The problem of being obsessed with your work is you find less time to do things you love to do. L I know it is something I need to bring a balance. After all, I believe time management is in our hands. And we always find time to do things we like. Am new to blogging and am trying to be active in it. And I have to find that 11 more bloggers. But I promise I would read more blogs and comment and encourage new good writers J

Now over to eleven facts about myself

1. Chennai Vasi from the beginning. Love my country the Bharat Desh (India). I like reading its history and I cherish its rich heritage. Would love to visit all historical places and temples in India during my life. I would do my best to contribute to its development. I wish to be in India all through my life. J This does not mean I don’t want to visit other countries. Even if it is heaven out there nothing can beat my country. So my permanent address should always be India with God’s grace.

2. I am a Chartered Accountant who works in Industry. Love accounts and tax.

3. I am a straight forward, honest person. “Say the facts and truth on face” is my policy. And I love the ones who are honest with me. I have this bad habit of being too honest. ;) Now this doesn’t mean I hurt people in the name of honest opinions. I do moderate the way I say things. Be it my boss or my best friend or my junior at work, if I find something, which I need to say, I would not fear to say. Even if things back fire I would stick to truth and facts. Unless there are facts contrary to my belief I would not change my opinions at the whims and fancy of others J

4. I indulge in self analysis most of the times. I welcome healthy criticism. I might become bit emotional at first but after some moments of silence I would analyze and try to mould. I would accept it if I feel it is valid. If I find it unreasonable I would ignore it. J

5. I tend to become emotional. And I find it difficult to say no. I forgive people too easily. I don’t wait for apologies to forgive :)

6. Love reading books. If someone says I will lock you in a room and go, I would say please lock me inside a library so that I will have books to read ;)

7. My hobbies include walking listening to music, selective movies (am bit choosy can't watch many sad movies ;), recently blogging and books.

8. Love healthy arguments and interaction. (Yes I am talkative. But I can be silent as well)

9. Love teaching. Some time in future I would like to see myself as Tax faculty (at least guest faculty ;))

10.  I accept people for what they are. Friends are my extended family. And I love listening to them and share their sorrows and happiness.

11.  Love doing things for my family (which includes my friends) J

These are the 11 questions posted to me:-

1. Why blog?

            Writing is something personal. Each person has got a style and I basically started writing as a means of positive let out. And blog is a good way to store your write ups and you reach people. And some day you can look back at your old writings. It is good when you find people are reading your stuff and responding. I personally don’t write for the sake of appreciation. I write for personal peace. But I would not deny the fact that it does feel good when some one leaves a message seeing the post. J

2. How has blogging changed your life?

On personal front, I use writing as a mode to find peace in the midst of commotion and the fact that I can store it beautifully in a blog has brought an immense sense of joy. Blogging has become a good hobby. Am trying to be active in it and read more blogs and encourage good writers.

3. Name one person who has truly inspired you, and has hence led you to change something about yourself.

            The good things in each person I have met has inspired me. I always feel there is no one single role model. But if you ask me to name one I would say “Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshmi Bai.” Her story inspired to be bold and stand up for my rights and do my duty.

4. If there is something you would like to change about yourself, what would that be?

            I allow people to take me for granted. And I find it very difficult to say no. Good close friends don’t take advantage of it but not all are same. Sometimes even when I know that they are taking advantages, I tend to ignore it giving them too long a rope. ;) . And sometimes I tend to become obsessed with my work. In the sense, I believe being sincere at work is good and to be serious at work is bad. So trying to change it J

5. What is your most priced possession in your room?

            Books are my most priced possession. If I have to be specific it is the Black Swan book based on which am currently writing a series in my blog. It was a timely gift from a very good and best friend of mine. The book helped me in writing something I have never ventured before. It is one topic I love writing and presenting.

6. Do you think blogging can help anything in any way?

According to me a writer is a person who writes irrespective of the fact whether his / her writing brings change or not. That is the power and beauty of writing. And eventually it creates a change. Blog is a powerful tool through which you can reach out to many people. And pen is mightier than sword and so is a blog J It can be used to bring about social changes.

7. What is the one festival in India you love to celebrate and do you think we still celebrate them in the same spirit as we used to decades back?

            India’s heritage is exhibited in its festivals. I can’t name one. First thing that comes to my mind is Diwali and the beautiful tradition of Raksha bandhan, which I celebrate wishing few of my best friends. Being a single child I wait for this day just to wish them and it brings me immense joy and happiness. Though there is a general feeling that there is a drop in the spirit of celebrations, I would not accept it. It has become more modern and there is a sense of fastness in everything. And even today, these many festivals are celebrated with josh. And I find that the spirit is always there. It is up to each individual to find it and tap it. J

8. If there is one thing you could do for your country (let's say there are no restraints and what you could do is magical), what would it be?

            Abolish corruption, which our country seems to be getting popular for and install a good government. Once there is good governance every single problem of our country would get solved. And there would be prosperity. India is a land of immense potential. And good governance is all that is required to make it shine.

9. 3 words that would describe you.

            So mean why giving me only 3 words ;) Anyway “Fun loving person.”  In three separate words – Happy, Honest, and Emotional.

10. Which is the best vacation you have had...and with whom?

            Never had a good long vacation! J  I love the trips I have made to temples like Kula deivam temple visit – Periyankuppam, Koothanoor, Kanchi, thennangur, thirupathi etc with my family. J

11. What do you think the future has in store for you?

            I never think much about future. J I believe in living in present and not in anxiety about future. That does not mean I don’t plan for things. I do. I believe that God knows to bring what is best for us. And he never gives things which we cannot handle. He knows our strengths which even we might not be aware of. And “present” is his biggest present. I see future as an adventure. I love expecting the unexpected. And facing it as and when it comes J

Have a lovely day J

Impact of the highly improbable – Part 5

Child’s War was one of the oldest wars fought by the British in the Indian Soil. As mentioned in my earlier post it was not a very popular one. But it was indeed a significant Black Swan ignored by the Mughals

Child’s war started in 1686 and lasted till 1690.

The war has been named after the person who triggered it – Sir Josiah Child, Governor East India Trading Company

Mr. William Hedges was sent to Shaista Khan, the Mughal governor of Bengal to obtain a directive that would grant England regular trading privileges throughout the Mughal Empire. The company's governor in London, Sir Josiah Child, interfered with Hedges's mission, causing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to break off the negotiations.

The Mughals indeed won the war foolishly started by Sir Josiah Child who underestimated the might of the Mughals

The Child’s War thus started, ended up as a disaster for the English. So how can a war which Mughal’s won can become a Black swan which led to their eventual downfall?

After the war the company's envoys had to prostrate themselves before the emperor, pay a large indemnity, and promise better behavior in the future. The emperor withdrew his troops and the company subsequently reestablished itself in Bombay and set up a new base in Calcutta.

French illustration of English men requesting pardon from the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb:

  

There were two major mistakes which we can identify now when we look at the aftermath events of the war. First, is in the way war victims and the ones who lost the war were humiliated and were made to prostrate. This created a sense of hatred and a need for revenge in them. Second was allowing them to continue their so called trade in the soils after they have exhibited a tendency to usurp the kingdom.

The Mughals might have thought that they have won and suppressed them. But they never realized that the company stopped only to wait for the next good opportunity.

Sir Josiah Child's war with the Mughal Empire began when he captured Mughal ships and ended when the English were obliged to conclude peace with the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The effects of this conflict continued to be observed until the year 1703

English did exhibit their sense of hidden hatred which erupted at certain points even though the child’s war had ended. For instance the Ganj-i-Sawai

The Ganj-i-Sawai or Gang-i-Sawai (meaning "Exceeding Treasure", and often Anglicized as Gunsway) was a heavily armed trading ship belonging to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb which, along with its escort the Fateh Muhammed, was captured on 7 September 1695 by the English pirate Henry Every en route from present day Mocha, Yemen to Surat, India. (Source: Wikipedia).

The victorious pirates then subjected their captives to several days of horror, raping and murdering prisoners at will, and using torture to force them to reveal the location of the ships' treasure. The pirates raped women on the ship, and some of the women committed suicide by jumping into the sea. The other survivors were left aboard their ships, which the pirates set free.

British pirates that fought during the Child's War engaging the Ganj-i-Sawai and A contemporary depiction of Every, with the Fancy engaging the Ganj-i-Sawai in the background. (Source: Wikipedia)

 

 The plunder of Emperor Aurangzeb's treasure ship had serious consequences for the English, coming at a time of crisis for the East India Company, whose profits were still recovering from the disastrous Child's War. The Company had seen its total annual imports drop from a peak of £800,000 in 1684, to just £30,000 in 1695, and this attack now threatened the very existence of English trade in India.

When the damaged Ganj-i-sawai finally limped its way back to harbor in Surat, news of the pirates' attack on the pilgrims spread quickly. The local Indian governor, Itimad Khan, immediately arrested the English subjects in Surat and kept them under close watch, partly as a punishment for their countrymen's depredations and partly for their own protection from the rioting locals. A livid Aurangzeb quickly closed four of the company's factories in India and imprisoned the officers, nearly ordering an armed attack against the English city of Bombay with the goal of forever expelling the English from India.

To appease Aurangzeb, the East India Company promised to pay all financial reparations, while Parliament declared the pirates hostis humani generis ("enemies of the human race"). In mid-1696 the government issued a £500 bounty on Every's head and offered a free pardon to any informer who disclosed his whereabouts. (Source: Wikipedia)

Later, the East India Company doubled that reward, an immense sum by the standard of the time. It was the first worldwide manhunt in recorded history.

Thus the Child’s War ended up doing two things. One the Mughals thought it would be easy to suppress the company in case they fight in future and they thought that they would be afraid despite seeing incidents like the Ganj-i-Sawai. Second the English developed a sense of hatred and revenge and they now understood the might of the Mughals and settled to strike when they become vulnerable. They started understanding the weak points of Mughals and enhanced their own might by making their troops and base strong. These Black swans started consuming the Mughal Empire slowly.

The Company continued to experience resistance from local rulers during its expansion.

Robert Clive led the company forces to victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 resulting in conquest of Bengal. This victory estranged the British and the Mughals. But the Mughal Empire was already on the wane after the demise of Aurangzeb, and was breaking up into pieces and enclaves.

Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, the rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore, offered much resistance to the British forces. Having sided with the French during the war, the rulers of Mysore continued their struggle against the Company with the four Anglo-Mysore Wars. Mysore finally fell to the Company forces in 1799, with the death of Tipu Sultan. Thus eventually the Mughal Dynasty fell.

The company became increasingly bold and ambitious and did not learn from what happened to the Mughals. Even they ignored the black swans.

Let us now look at the black swans ignored by the Company and the series of events which led to the First war of Indian Independence… J

To be continued…

 

Impact of the highly improbable – Part 4

As said in my previous post, the decline of Mughal dynasty and finally its fall cannot be seen separately from the rise and end of British East India Trading Company which entered the soils of India in 1602. 

The British East India Trading Company was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but it ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China.  

Commonly styled the “The Honourable East India Company, and abbreviated, HEIC; the Company was colloquially referred to as John Company, and in India as “Company Bahadur”.

The East India Company traded mainly in cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, tea, and opium.

The Company long held a privileged position in relation to the British Government.  As a result, it was frequently granted special rights and privileges, including trade monopolies and exemptions.

The above does sound good for the company at the outset but it was a hidden black swan. The privilege was more of a bane than a boon for the company, though it never realized at that point of time.

The unique privilege given by the British Government to the company caused resentment amongst its competitors, who saw unfair advantage in the Company's position. Despite this resentment, the Company remained a powerful force for over 250 years.

This was how the Colonial India looked at that time. The British Indian Empire: (Source: Wikipedia)

 

This was the company’s flag after 1801 (Source: Wikipedia)

 Let us now see how the company entered India and how the Mughals never realized that their entry was the first step of discrete invasion. The invasion was not in the form of war where there was wielding of swords but it was in the form of smart “Trade”.

English traders frequently engaged in hostilities with their Dutch and Portuguese counterparts in the Indian Ocean. The Company achieved a major victory over the Portuguese in the Battle of Swally in 1612.

The Company decided to explore the feasibility of gaining a territorial foothold in mainland India, with official sanction of both countries, and launched a diplomatic mission.

In 1612, Sir Thomas Roe was instructed by James I to visit the Mughal Emperor Nuruddin Salim Jahangir (r. 1605 - 1627) to arrange for a commercial treaty which would give the Company exclusive rights to reside and build factories in Surat and other areas. In return, the Company offered to provide the Emperor with goods and rarities from the European market.

This mission was highly successful as Jahangir sent a letter to James through Sir Thomas Roe.

When he accepted the treaty for granting exclusive rights he never realized that it would change the frontiers of the empire he ruled. It was not a single Black Swan which the Mughals ignored. It was a flock which merrily entered the Mughal Empire and went ahead undisturbed to shake its foundation.

The following are some of the black swans which we can identify looking back

1.      The Company, benefiting from the imperial patronage, soon expanded its commercial trading operations. The Mughals never noticed the dangerous growth of the company as a threat.

2.      The status of the Company was further enhanced by the restoration of monarchy in England. By a series of five acts around 1670, King Charles II provisioned it with the rights to autonomous territorial acquisitions, to mint money, to command fortresses and troops and form alliances, to make war and peace, and to exercise both civil and criminal jurisdiction over the acquired areas

3.      The Child’s War

Wondering what is Child’s War. The child’s war was indeed not a child’s play.

It was the oldest of wars fought by the British in the Indian Soils. It lasted for 4 years from 1686 – 1690.

Though the War itself may not be a popular one, it was a very significant black swan which was the root cause for the shift in Empire.

Who fought and who won? Why an insignificant war became so significant?

To be continued…