THREE STAGES OF BRITISH RULE IN INDIA

Many foreign powers arrived in India in the ancient and the medieval periods, but the nature of the English was entirely different from that of others. Other powers came to India either for a shorter period and left the country immediately after plundering it or they became an integral part of Indian society. But the English, during their long stay in the country, adopted the policy of exploitation. They established not only colonial rule but also colonial economy. The entire economic relations between the ruler and the ruled underwent drastic changes after the establishment of the colonial economy. Agriculture was commercialised, faulty revenue systems were introduced, transportation facilities were developed to serve the British purpose, irrational free trade policy was adopted, taxation became burdensome, industrial progress was halted, and the com­mon people were made the greatest victim of economic exploitation.

The British rule in India may be said to have started in 1757, after the East India company defeated the Nawab of Bengal at the Battle of Plassey. The 200-year British rule passed through the following three stages.