Page 6 - ch 9

Colonial Era and the Indian Sepoy Module - III

Military History of the
Activity 9.1 Colonial Era
You have learnt how the Europeans came and established the ports in India. Identify
the port cities where the foreigners built factories.

9.2 Idea of the Three Presidencies

What is the meaning of the word Presidency? It means an office where the President Note
sits and controls the area under him/her. Why did the British come up with the idea of
Presidencies? As you have seen, the British established factories and started trade in
large number of commodities. The control and administration of the factories and the
people employed by the British was to be coordinated under one person. They built
Fort St George in Chennai and later established the Madras Presidency in 1684.
William Gyfford became the first President. What started off as a Headquarters for
administration later started controlling other areas militarily. The British started expanding
their control into Mysore, Thanjavur, Vishakapattinam etc in the South and similarly,
areas around Kolkotta and Mumbai. This led to fights with the local rulers and with the
established kingdoms of the Nizam, Marathas, Rajputs and the Nawab of Bengal.
The role of the Presidencies created in Kolkatta, Chennai and Mumbai were as
follows:-

 To have an administrative office to control the activity of trade and commerce
from the ports.
 To ensure the safety and security of the goods and services of the trading
companies.

 To build a strong army in order to expand and establish control in India.
 The Company's military under Robert Clive fought many battles to establish its
supremacy and control over India. The main battles fought were the 1757 Battle
of Plassey, the 1764 Battle of Buxar (in Bihar) and The Company thus became
the de facto ruler of large areas of the lower Gangetic plains by 1773.

 It also proceeded slowly to expand its dominions around Bombay and Madras.
The Anglo-Mysore Wars (1766-99) and the Anglo-Maratha Wars (1772-1818)
ensured its control of large areas of India south of the Sutlej River.
 Establish a civil-military rule in India.
The famous quote that "the Sun never sets in British Empire" which indicates the
expansion of the British Colonies across the globle. Wherever the British
conquered countries they became permanent settlers. Thus, the three Presidencies
of Madras, Bengal and Bombay were created both as administrative as well as
military centers.

61
MILITARY HISTORY 61