The claim to paramountcy
The early nineteenth century marked a pivotal shift in British colonial policy in India, led by the East India Company under Governor-General Lord Hastings (1813-1823). The concept of paramountcy was introduced, signifying that the British claimed supreme authority over Indian states, positioning their power above that of local rulers. This policy justified annexations and interventions across various kingdoms, rationalized as necessary for the protection of British interests.
An example of local resistance to this authority was evident in the state of Kitoor, Karnataka, where Rani Channamma and later, local leader Rayanna, rose in opposition to British expansionism. Both figures led notable anti-British movements, reflecting widespread dissent against colonial rule.
Additionally, the British feared Russian expansion into Central Asia and its potential threat to British India, prompting further territorial consolidation and military engagement, such as in Afghanistan and Punjab. The implementation of the Doctrine of Lapse under Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856) further exemplified this aggressive annexation policy, where states without a male heir would automatically be taken over by the Company.
The culmination of these policies contributed to rising tensions that eventually sparked the Revolt of 1857, as local rulers and common people reacted to the direct threats posed by British policies.