How Many Years Did the British Rule in India?

Before the beginning of the formal rule of the Britishers in India, they came to India just to trade as a company.

But due to the political turmoil and instability of the Mughal Empire in India, the trading of the British East India Company started to establish a territorial empire in India.

So, now the question is, how many years did the British rule in India? So, let’s explore this article, know how many years they rule, and see which three methods they apply to govern in India.

Establishment of British rule in India

The British East India Company, which is also referred to as ”John Company”, was Joint- Stock Company, which was established in 1600 as "The Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies”.

During this period of time, many other trading companies, such as Portuguese, Dutch, French, and Danish, arrived in India for trading purposes.

In early phases, all these companies came for trading purposes only, but the British East India Company's vision got changed after the different issues arose in India.

British East India Company First Company

The British East India Company established their first temporary factory at Masulipatnam in 1605 to start trading with India. But later on, in 1913, they set up their permanent factory at Surat after getting permission from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

How did Britishers Establish their rule in India?

In the start of the 50 years, they had no interest in developing any British colonies in India. They only prefer to do trading, as they also follow the same pattern as the Portuguese do.

But this pattern was changed after 1650, when the power of the old guard British royalist merchant got changed, and a new class of merchant took over the trading company. 

In the first half of the 18th century, the Mughal Empire started declining, and there was a political vacuum, as many regions in India becoming regional states, like Bengal, Hyderabad, Awadh,

Punjab and Maratha kingdoms.

These regional powers could not provide the stability of governance in India, so the British had the chance to grow and establish their rule in India.

1. Firstly, they break the centralisation power of Mughal Empire

2. As the British started interfering in the regional entity, they had fortified Fort William in Calcutta without the permission of Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula

3. Black Hole Tragedy, 1756: In response to the fortification of Fort William, Siraj-ud-Daula imprisoned many Britishers in a small room measuring 18x14 feet. This incident triggered the Britishers to attack the Nawab of Bengal.

4. Thirdly, after the Battle of Plassey, 1757,  few regional have came under the British

5. Thirdly, at the Battle of Buxar, 1764, after this war, the British established their territory.

Sourc: NIOS

What are the three methods the British adopted to Establish the British Empire?

The three methods which the British adopted to establish territory are the following:

1. Wars and conquests 

2. Subsidiary Alliance System 

3. Annexation of territories through the adaptation of

doctrine of lapse

How Many Years Did the British Rule in India?

So, after the Battle of Buxar, the British East India Company rules till 1857 as a trading company. But after the revolt of 1857, the British Crown took place and ruled over India till 15 August 1947. 

So, British rule in India for about 190 years.