The British Imperial history can be divided into two phases: the 'first empire' and the 'second empire'. True or False?

True. The first empire focused on America and the West Indies, while the second empire began around 1783 and expanded into East Asia and Africa.

The British conquest of India was primarily driven by ___ and ___ motives.

Economic and territorial motives.

What year is often cited as the beginning of the British period in India due to the defeat of the Nawab of Bengal at Plassey?

1757.

Fill in the blank: The English began to see themselves as the new Romans charged with civilizing ___ races throughout the world.

Backward.

The Anglo-French struggle for supremacy in India began in the year ___, which some historians consider the start of the British period.

1740.

True or False: The British came to India with the clear intention of acquiring territories.

True. While some argue it was unintentional, many believe that the British had a clear imperialistic agenda in India.

Short Answer: What was the subsidiary alliance system used by Lord Wellesley?

It was a diplomatic strategy employed to extend British control over Indian territories by forming alliances that effectively made Indian rulers dependent on British forces for their protection.

The British success in India was largely attributed to their use of ___ arms and superior military strategy.

Superior

True or False: The British military officers were selected based on hereditary ties rather than skills and reliability.

False. The British military officers were selected based on their reliability and skill, not on hereditary ties.

What role did financial stability play in the British East India Company's success in India?

The financial stability allowed the Company to pay handsome dividends to shareholders and finance military operations.

Fill in the blank: The lack of ___ vision among Indians contributed to the British success in India.

Materialistic

Which factor contributed to the loyalty of British troops in India?

A regular system of payment of salaries and strict discipline ensured the loyalty of British troops.

What economic significance did Bengal hold in the Mughal Empire prior to British conquest?

Bengal was the richest province of the Mughal Empire, exporting valuable raw products to Europe, including saltpetre, rice, indigo, pepper, sugar, silk, cotton textiles, and handicrafts.

The population of Calcutta rose from 15,000 in 1706 to ___ by 1750, indicating its growth as a major urban center.

100,000

True or False: The Battle of Plassey, fought on June 23, 1757, was a decisive victory for Siraj-ud-daula.

False: The Battle of Plassey resulted in a decisive victory for the British, leading to the establishment of their control in Bengal.

What were the key outcomes of the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765?

Fill in the blank: The dual system of government introduced by Robert Clive in Bengal involved the rule of ___ and the ___ in which both revenue collection and judicial functions were controlled by the Company.

The Company; Nawab

What led to the administrative breakdown during the Dual Government in Bengal, which lasted from 1765 to 1772?

The dual system of government led to confusion and inefficiency in administration, as the Company exercised control over both revenue collection (Diwani) and judicial functions (Nizamat), which proved disastrous for the local populace.

True or False: Mir Kasim, who succeeded Mir Jafar, successfully maintained the autonomy of Bengal against the British influence.

False: Mir Kasim's rule was marked by the increasing control of the British East India Company, leading to further loss of autonomy for Bengal.

The Battle of Buxar in 1764 established the English as a major power in northern India by defeating the combined forces of which three leaders?

Mir Kasim, the Nawab of Awadh, and Shah Alam II.

Haidar Ali became the de facto ruler of Mysore in ___ and realized the importance of effective artillery in warfare.

1761

True or False: Haidar Ali successfully repelled the Marathas in every encounter during the years 1764 to 1771.

False. Haidar Ali was defeated by the Marathas in 1764, 1766, and 1771.

The Treaty of Madras, concluded on April 4, 1769, involved an agreement between Haidar Ali and the ___.

English

What was one significant military strategy employed by Haidar Ali to strengthen his forces?

He set up an arms factory with French assistance and introduced Western training methods for his army.

Fill in the blank: The first Anglo-Mysore War occurred between ___ and ___.

1767, 1769

True or False: The second Anglo-Mysore War lasted from 1780 to 1784.

True

What role did the French play in Haidar Ali's military advancements?

The French helped Haidar Ali establish an arms factory and train his army in Western military techniques.

The Treaty of Mangalore, which ended the conflict between the British and Mysore, was signed in ___ and involved both sides returning the territories they had taken from each other.

March 1784

True or False: Haidar Ali achieved a decisive victory over the British at Porto Novo in November 1781.

False. Haidar Ali suffered a defeat at Porto Novo in November 1781.

What significant action did Tipu Sultan take in 1790 regarding Travancore?

Tipu Sultan declared war against Travancore for the restoration of his rights.