Within hundred years of assuming the Diwani of Bengal, the British became the unquestioned rulers over a large part of the Indian subcontinent. They rarely had to use force to take control over a territory. They were doing profitable trade which was their main objective. They also succeeded in winning the support of most of the local rajas and chieftains. These are some of the possible reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857.

Reasons for the Confidence of British Rulers in India before May 1857:

During the period before May 1857, the British rulers in India had a strong sense of confidence in their position. This confidence can be attributed to several factors:

1. Military Superiority:
- The British had a well-organized and disciplined army, equipped with advanced weaponry and superior military tactics.
- They had successfully defeated various Indian rulers and regional powers, establishing their military dominance.
- The defeat of Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818) and the Sikh Empire in the Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845-1849) further solidified their military supremacy.

2. Political Control:
- The British had established a strong political control over India through their policy of annexation and indirect rule.
- They had effectively taken over large parts of India, including the territories of various princely states and regions under the control of the East India Company.
- The Doctrine of Lapse allowed them to annex states that lacked a male heir or were deemed incompetent, further expanding their control.

3. Economic Exploitation:
- The British had established a well-developed economic system in India, primarily focused on extracting resources and wealth.
- They implemented policies such as the Permanent Settlement, which ensured a steady revenue flow to the British government.
- The establishment of railways, telegraph lines, and other infrastructure projects improved their control over trade and communication.

4. Divide and Rule Policy:
- The British effectively exploited the existing divisions and conflicts among various Indian communities, fostering a sense of mistrust and disunity.
- By supporting some groups and marginalizing others, they were able to prevent a united opposition against their rule.

5. Cultural Supremacy:
- The British believed in their cultural and racial superiority over the Indians, which further reinforced their confidence.
- The implementation of Western education and legal systems aimed at transforming Indian society in their image.

6. Lack of Coordinated Resistance:
- Before the uprising of 1857, there had been sporadic and localized rebellions against British rule, but no large-scale coordinated resistance had emerged.
- The British rulers interpreted this lack of a united opposition as a sign of the stability and acceptance of their rule.

Overall, the British rulers in India before May 1857 were confident due to their military dominance, political control, economic exploitation, divide and rule policy, cultural supremacy, and the absence of a coordinated resistance. However, this confidence was shattered with the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, which challenged their authority and marked a turning point in the history of British rule in India.

What could be the reason for the confidence of British ruler about their position in India before may 1857