Question
Discuss the reasons for the increasing dominance of the British East India Company in India during the period between 1750 and 1857.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the increasing dominance of the British East India Company in India. Candidates may refer to a range of political, economic and military reasons. Points discussed may include the strength and status of the British East India Company and the growing power of the British in this region. This growing power could be attributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire and/or the defeat of the French. Candidates may also discuss the nature of Company rule and the role of the Governor-Generals in helping to achieve British dominance. To support this argument, candidates may discuss the actions of individual Governor-Generals which may include Hastings peace with the Marathas and/or Dalhousie’s annexation policies.
Question
Discuss the reasons for, and the consequences of, the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for, and consequences of, the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Both reasons and consequences must be discussed but there does not need to be an equal focus on each. Reasons for the Second Anglo-Afghan War may include a discussion of “The Great Game” between Britain and Russia. Both countries felt that control of Afghanistan would protect their interests in this region. Russia was fearful that British trade interests would make inroads into Central Asia and Britain was fearful that Russia may be a threat to India. For consequences, candidates may refer to the fact that the British did manage to install a new friendly Amir who was acceptable to British interests. The British were also able to establish a mission in Kabul and gain jurisdiction over territories, such as the Khyber Pass.
Question
Evaluate the social impact of the policies of Dalhousie and Bentinck on Indian society.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will appraise the social impact of the policies of Dalhousie and Bentinck on various aspects of Indian society. Candidates may adopt a chronological approach that outlines the policies of Bentinck followed by those of Dalhousie and that identifies their impact on Indian society at the time. Alternatively, candidates may choose a thematic or a comparative approach and address the impact of their policies in areas such as the legal system, education, marriage customs, religious observance and inheritance patterns. Some candidates may mention that Dalhousie was an “Orientalist” while others may consider the extent to which Indian society became anglicized. The inclusion of economic and political changes must be within the context of the social impact.
Question
To what extent did Russo-British rivalry contribute to the outbreak of the First and Second Anglo-Afghan Wars?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the assumption in the question that Russo- British rivalry might have contributed to the outbreak of each war. They may fully agree, partially agree or disagree with this assumption. Candidates may adopt a chronological approach that contextualises the wars and that addresses the role of Russo-British rivalry in each. Alternatively, candidates may choose a comparative approach or a thematic one and balance Russo-British rivalry against a range of other factors such as regional ethnic tensions, the struggle for power between Afghan rulers, the expansionist ambitions of individual Afghan rulers, the control of trade routes, and the issue of diplomatic relations with European powers. Whichever method is used both wars will be addressed.