Britain in India - an introductory chronology

This introductory chronology was writen for a special commemorative issue marking 50 years since Britain relinquished colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent.

Fifty years ago Britain relinquished the jewel in its imperial crown, the Indian subcontinent. The marking there of this anniversary of independence is carrying elements of the enigmatic perhaps inevitable in view of the price of partition and continued tension between the nations that emerged from it. But the anniversary offers a good vantage point from which to survey not only the complex tapestry woven between the Raj and its subjects over three hundred years the high politics and drama leading up to and surrounding August 1947, but also the human impact of social and cultural interchange. In this special expanded commemorative issue (and with particular advice and encouragement from Professor Francis Robinson, to whom we are indebted) History Today has asked some of the historians of South Asian history and politics, from both East and West, to narrate this process, comment on its significance, and weigh up its continued impact today on former rulers and ruled.

Chronology
1599 The East India Company is founded by a group of London merchants.

1612 Surat becomes the site of the first East India Company-owned factory.

1662 Bombay is ceded by the Portuguese to Charles II as a dowry when he marries Catherine of Braganza.

1668 Bombay comes into the possession of the East India Company.

1739 Malwa is conquered by the Marathas, a Hindu people challenging Moghul pre-eminence.
1756 Sir-ud-Daula, Nawab of Bengal and ally to the French, takes Calcutta and 146 of his British prisoners die in the Black Hole.

1757 Clive defeats the army of the Nawab of Bengal at Plassey.

1773 In an attempt to give unity and cohesion to the East India Company's activities the British Government appoints Warren Hastings, a company agent, as Governor-General to India.

1799 After nearly forty years of sporadic conflict between Mysore and the British, Tipu Sahib is defeated and Mysore accepts a subsidiary alliance and cedes Coimbatore to Britain.

1805 Governor-General Wellesley is recalled to Britain after the siege of Bharatpur.

1829 Britain begins to stamp out the practice of Suttee in Bengal and takes steps against the fraternity of the Thugee, professional assassins who had taken vows to the goddess Kali.

1833 Renewal of the East India Company's charter includes amendments placing more power in the hands of the British Government.

1839 Fear of a Russian advance to India's north-west frontier leads to a pre-emptive British invasion of Afghanistan.

1849 Following clashes with the Sikhs of northern India in 1845 and 1848, the Punjab is annexed.

1857 The Indian Mutiny breaks out on May 10th, at Meerut as mutineers from Bengali regiments march on Delhi proclaiming Bahadur Shah as emperor.

1858 The India Act, designed as a post-Mutiny resettlement of government, annuls the power of the East India Company and transfers all administrative authority to the Crown.

1860 The Indian Councils Act stipulates that the Viceroy will be assisted by a council which will include Indian as well as British members.

1869 M.K. (Mahatma) Gandhi is born.

1877 Victoria proclaimed Empress of India.

1878 A rebellion against the British-backed ruler of Afghanistan sparks the second Afghan War as General Roberts occupies Kabul.

1885 The Indian National Congress is founded.

1891 The Brahmin teacher and nationalist, Bal Bangadhar Tilak, begins extremist agitation for Indian Home Rule.

1900 The strategically important border territory between India and Afghanistan is designated as the North-West Frontier Province.

1906 Muslim League formed.

1911 At his coronation Durbar in Dehli, George V announces the restoration of Bengal as a single unit following its unpopular partition and the transfer of the seat of government from Calcutta to New Delhi, thus associating the Raj with the Moghul imperial capital.

1915 Gandhi returns to India after spending 21 years in South Africa.

1919 Following a nation-wide strike called by the Indian National Congress, civil disturbance in the Punjab leads to the Amritsar Massacre as Brigadier-General Dyer gives the order to fire on a prohibited political demonstration.

1920 Elections are held for a reformed Imperial Legislature which will include an assembly of 100 elected members.

1922 Gandhi is imprisoned for civil disobedience.

1930 Gandhi steps up his campaign with the Dandi Salt March.

1931 The Round TableConferences, a series of meetings held to discuss the future of India, take place in London and are attended by Indian Princely rulers. Although Gandhi attends, the Indian National Congress refuses to participate.

1935 The Government of India Act proposes a federal India composed of political provinces with elected local governments governed by a diarchy where the British Viceroy retains control over foreign policy and defence.

1936 Jawaharlal Nehru is elected President of the Indian National Congress.

1937 The Indian National Congress is successful in elections, gaining office in six provinces.

1940 At a Muslim Congress, Jinnah pledges support for the British war effort, and calls for the eventual establishment of a separate Pakistan in an independent and partitioned India.

1942 Gandhi is imprisoned for obstructing the war effort with his support for the 'Quit India' campaign.

1945 Clement Attlee states that the Empire and Commonwealth is strategically indefensible. His new Labour Government begins to prepare for Indian independence.

1947 The Indian Independence Act is passed with extraordinary speed confirming the partition of India and the dominion status of both India and Pakistan.

Compiled by John House

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