Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface: Conceptual and Methodological Approach
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Maps
- Introduction: The Early Years and the Evolving Grand Strategic Reality, 1600–1784
- Part I Dealing with the French Menace, 1744–61
- Part II Towards an All-India Grand Strategy, 1762–84
- 5 Bengal, 1757–67: Crossing the Threshold and Becoming a ‘Country’ Power
- 6 Thwarted Imperialism: Madras, 1761–78
- 7 Bengal, 1767–84: The Borders of Power and the Power of Borders
- 8 Bombay Enters the Imperial Game, 1774–82
- 9 Madras versus Haidar Ali – Round 2, 1778–84
- Conclusion
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- Worlds of the East India Company
7 - Bengal, 1767–84: The Borders of Power and the Power of Borders
from Part II - Towards an All-India Grand Strategy, 1762–84
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2013
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface: Conceptual and Methodological Approach
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Maps
- Introduction: The Early Years and the Evolving Grand Strategic Reality, 1600–1784
- Part I Dealing with the French Menace, 1744–61
- Part II Towards an All-India Grand Strategy, 1762–84
- 5 Bengal, 1757–67: Crossing the Threshold and Becoming a ‘Country’ Power
- 6 Thwarted Imperialism: Madras, 1761–78
- 7 Bengal, 1767–84: The Borders of Power and the Power of Borders
- 8 Bombay Enters the Imperial Game, 1774–82
- 9 Madras versus Haidar Ali – Round 2, 1778–84
- Conclusion
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- Worlds of the East India Company
Summary
since the Acquisition of the Dewanni [sic], the Power formerly belonging to the Soubah of these Provinces is Totally, in Fact, vested in the East India Company. Nothing remains to him but the Name and Shadow of Authority. This name, however, this Shadow, it is indispensably necessary we should seem to venerate … Under the Sanction of a Soubah every encroachment that may be attempted by Foreign Powers can effectually be crushed without any apparent Interposition of our own Authority.
Clive to the Fort William Council, 16 January 1767.The [River] Caramnasa [the border between Bihar and Oudh] is our Boundary and nothing but the most Obvious Necessity should carry us beyond it.
Clive, in Britain, to Claude Russell (senior Fort William councillor), 16 October 1767.Our Influence and Interest are become too important in this Empire to suffer us to remain inattentive to the least movement of any of its principal powers. We can no longer act as idle or secondary spectators, but, having so much at stake, must support or lose the whole.
Harry Verelst (Governor of Calcutta, 1767–69) to Colonel Coote, 17 December 1767.By Leniency and Moderation we may gradually reconcile [the wilder inhabitants on the frontiers of Bengal] to our Government, but by unusual Demands and Exertions of our Authority We may entirely extinguish the Small Spark of Allegiance they have yet been possessed of …
Richard Becher (Collector-General of Revenues), Murshidabad, to John Grosse, Supervisor of Rangpur District, 4 August 1770.- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Emergence of British Power in India, 1600-1784A Grand Strategic Interpretation, pp. 221 - 256Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2013