Q.60 Why did the armies of the British east India company, mostly composed of Indian soldiers, win consistently against the more numerous and better- equipped armies of the then-Indian rulers? Give reasons. GS-I: HISTORY (UPSC CSE 2022) (150 words/10 marks)

Answer:

INTRODUCTION:

The EIC mixed British and Indian soldiers (sepoys) which helped it in expanding the EIC’s domains and in getting victory over Indian princely states. It was able to consistently defeat much larger armies of the Indian rulers. The Company was able to do so due to its ability to use a combination of strategic, organizational, technological, and socio-political factors to its advantage.

BODY:

Reasons behind the victory of East India Company:

• • Superior weapons and technology: Unlike the native rulers, the British East India Company had access to better weapons and technology, such as rifles and cannons, which allowed them to outgun the Indian rulers They even used the best naval forces across Indian coastal princely states.
  • Naval Supremacy: Because of their command of the sea and naval power, the British East India Company was able to swiftly move supplies and troops, which facilitated the reinforcement of their armies and the beginning of strategic offensives.
  • Military training and discipline: The armies of the British East India Company were superior over the less structured and disciplined armies of the Indian rulers because they were well- trained, unified, and disciplined. In addition, the EIC maintained a permanent army while soldiers of Indian rulers worked in farms during peace time which leads to irregularities.
  • External support and good leadership: British parliament and Crown supported the war efforts of East India Company. There was full cooperation among the British officers leaders like Robert Clive, Warren Hasting, Cornwallis actively participated.
  • Superior intelligence gathering: The East India Company had an advantage in combat because it was able to obtain intelligence on the forces of the Indian rulers. It was able to obtain information regarding the movements and strategies of the troops of the Indian rulers because of its network of spies and informants.
  • Divide and rule policy: The Indian subcontinent was not a unified political entity during this period and the Indian rulers were often at odds with each other and would fight among themselves. The EIC was able to exploit the divisions among the Indian rulers to its The EIC would ally itself with one faction and use its forces to defeat the others.
  • Economic and political power: EIC took advantage of its considerable political and economic power. It had considerable influence on the Indian rulers and controlled a large number of trade channels. In addition, it had the support of the British government, which provided it with resources and assistance that the Indian rulers lacked.
  • Regular employment and timely payment of salaries to the Indian sepoys made them loyal servants of the company as they could support their families om permanent basis.

CONCLUSION:

Due to a combination of military discipline and training, superior weaponry and technology, naval control and collaboration with local rulers, EIC’s armies were able to consistently defeat the larger armies of the Indian rulers. These factors combined to give the British East India Company a significant advantage over the Indian rulers, which allowed it to conquer much of India.