Great Britain takes over India
1763-1815
Who,What,When
British involvement in India during the 18th century can be divided into two phases, one ending and the other beginning at mid-century. The rule of Britain Crown from 1858 to 1947 over the Indian Subcontinent For the previous rule of East India Company which existed from 1757 to 1858,see company rule India.
Where,Why,How
In 1813, the Marquis of Hastings (the Earl of Moira) was appointed Governor-General in 1813 and continued Wellesley's work of extending British power. He completed the destruction of the Mahrattas in the third Mahratta War (1817-19), annexed Poona and forced the Hindu chiefs to submit. Nepal was more troublesome. It took an 18-month campaign (1814-16) in the Nepal mountains to force the Gurkhas to abandon their claims to British territory. Most of Nepal was left as an independent state and the Gurkhas have remained friendly to Britain ever since. By 1823 all India was directly or indirectly under British control although the attitude of the British towards the country and people today appears to be questionable.