Lord Amherst (1773-1857) was Governor-General of India from 1823 to 1828. He was born in the month of January 1773. His appointment was approved by the Board of Directors because he was already well-known for his mission to China in 1816 and was widely regarded as a man of peace. On August 1, 1823, he arrived in Calcutta. In this article, we will discuss the significant events under Lord Amherst which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Lord Amherst

Lord Amherst – Background

• From 1758 to 1763, he was the British commander in America.
• In 1816, he was sent as an extraordinary ambassador to the court of China's Qing dynasty in order to establish more satisfactory commercial relations between China and the United Kingdom.
• When he arrived at Pei Ho, he was told that he could only be admitted to the Jiaqing Emperor's presence if he performed the kowtow.
• Following the advice of Sir George Thomas Staunton, who accompanied him as the second commissioner, Amherst refused to consent, as Macartney had done in 1793 unless his sovereign was entitled to the same show of reverence from a man of his rank.
• As a result, he was denied entry into Peking (Beijing), and the goal of his mission was thwarted.
• Prior to taking office, he was given the impression that there would be no need for wars in India and that a period of peace would reign.
• However, trouble soon erupted along East Bengal's borders, and this issue dominated his presidency.

Significant Events under Lord Amherst

First Anglo Burmese War (1824-26)

• Burma was a large independent country to the east of British India. Burmese rulers pursued an expansionist policy, attempting to annex Siam in 1765-69.
• Siam approached China for assistance, and as a result, Burmese rulers were unable to expand that side. As a result, they concentrated on the western side.
• Arakan was Bengal's eastern boundary at the time. Burmese forces invaded Arakan in 1813, capturing areas around modern Manipur, and Assam in 1817-19.
• The British attempted to avoid conflict by sending some peaceful proposals, but when nothing was accomplished, Lord Amherst declared war on Burma.
• Burma was attacked both on land and at sea. The war dragged on, but the British won decisively. The war ended in 1826 with the Treaty of Yandaboo.
• According to the treaty,
  • Assam, Manipur, Arakan, and Taninthai were ceded to the British.
  • The Burmese had to stop meddling in the Chachar Kingdom and the Jaintia Hills.
  • Burma agreed to pay a one million pound sterling indemnity to the British.
  • The Burmese government agreed to allow British diplomatic representatives.
  • Burmese officials also agreed to sign a commercial treaty in the near future.
• Assam was annexed to British territories through the above-mentioned treaty.
• The Cachar Kingdom was later annexed in 1832, and Upper Assam came under British protection in 1833.
• The British had annexed the entirety of today's Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram by 1838-39.
• As a result of the British annexation of Assam, tea manufacturing flourished.

Barrackpore Mutiny of 1824

• The Barrackpore mutiny of 1824 was also caused by British interference with Indian social taboos.
• During the first Anglo-Burmese war, some battalions of Bengal Army native infantry were ordered to march to Chittagong and board ships bound for Rangoon.
• Traveling by sea, however, was a social taboo for Hindus, who referred to it as Kaala Pani. Furthermore, they lacked bullocks to transport their belongings to Chittagong. The complaints of Indian sepoys were ignored.
• As a result, the soldiers refused to leave in March unless their pay was increased and they were given the means to transport their luggage.
• In Barrackpore cantonment, the British refused to give in to these demands, and the sepoys revolted. They drove away from the British officers under the leadership of Binda.
• The British attempted to persuade the Sepoys to surrender if their reasonable demands were considered later.
• When they refused, British troops launched a full-scale assault on Indian Sepoys, killing approximately 200 Indian Sepoys.
• Binda, the leader, was apprehended and executed, and his body was hung from a Peepal tree. This sent a terrifying message to Indian troops, telling them not to rebel against their British overlords.
• Binda was a hero, but few people are aware of his martyrdom.
• Binda Baba Temple is located in Barrackpore on the site where his body was hung. Lord Hanuman is the deity of this temple.

Legacy of Lord Amherst

• In 1824, the Sanskrit College was founded in Calcutta during his reign.
• He was the first governor-general to visit Shimla during the summer of 1827.
• In March 1828, he retired and was made an earl.

Conclusion

Lord Amherst left India in 1828, and his place was temporarily filled by acting Governor-General William Butterworth Bayley. Lord William Bentinck, who served from 1828 to 1835, succeeded him. Amherst died on March 13, 1857.

FAQs 

Q1: Who was Lord Amherst?

Q2: What were the major achievements of Lord Amherst?

Q3: What were the challenges faced by Lord Amherst during his rule?

Q4: What were the consequences of the First Burmese War during Lord Amherst's tenure?

Q5: How did Lord Amherst impact British policies in India?

MCQs

1. Which of the following territories was annexed during Lord Amherst’s tenure?

A) Sindh

B) Assam

C) Punjab

D) Bengal

2. What was the main result of the First Burmese War under Lord Amherst’s leadership?

A) Loss of British territories in Burma

B) Annexation of territories like Arakan and Tenasserim

C) Establishment of Burma as a British protectorate

D) Establishment of direct British control over Rangoon

3. Lord Amherst’s tenure as Governor-General is associated with which major military conflict?

A) The Anglo-Maratha Wars

B) The First Burmese War

C) The Second Anglo-Sikh War

D) The First War of Indian Independence

4. What was a major criticism faced by Lord Amherst during his rule?

A) His failure to manage the Sepoy Mutiny

B) The costly First Burmese War

C) His inability to annex southern India

D) His neglect of social reforms

5. Which region did Lord Amherst’s policies help expand British control over?

A) Southern India

B) Bengal

C) The northeastern frontier

D) The Deccan Plateau

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the significance of Lord Amherst’s tenure as the Governor-General of India, focusing on territorial expansion and military strategies.

Answer: Lord Amherst’s tenure was marked by territorial expansion, especially in the northeastern regions of India and Burma. The annexation of Assam, Manipur, and the territories acquired during the First Burmese War were significant steps in consolidating British power. The military strategies employed during these campaigns, although successful in securing new territories, were criticized for being costly and inefficient, as the First Burmese War stretched British resources. However, the territorial gains significantly expanded the British Empire’s frontiers and opened new avenues for trade and political influence. Lord Amherst’s policies, while expanding the empire, did not significantly contribute to internal reforms or socio-economic development within British India.

Q2: Evaluate the challenges faced by Lord Amherst during his tenure as the Governor-General and the impact of these challenges on British colonial policy.

Answer: Lord Amherst faced several challenges, including military resistance, the costs of the First Burmese War, and internal unrest in newly annexed regions like Assam. The First Burmese War, while expanding British territory, led to widespread criticism due to its high costs and human losses. Additionally, the annexation of new territories brought logistical and administrative challenges that strained British resources. These challenges influenced British colonial policy, leading to a more cautious approach in subsequent years regarding military engagements. The legacy of Lord Amherst’s rule is thus marked by territorial expansion but also by the financial and human costs of empire-building.

Q3: Discuss the implications of the First Burmese War for British imperial strategy in India.

Answer: The First Burmese War had significant implications for British imperial strategy in India. The war resulted in the annexation of key Burmese territories, such as Arakan and Tenasserim, which bolstered British strategic interests in Southeast Asia. However, the war also highlighted the limitations of British military strategy, with heavy financial and human costs. These costs prompted British authorities to reconsider the scope of military campaigns and to focus more on consolidating and administrating the territories they already controlled. The war, thus, not only expanded British territory but also forced a reevaluation of British imperial priorities and resources in the region.

Previous Year Questions on  Lord Amherst

1. UPSC 2019 Mains

Question: Discuss the significance of the annexation of Assam during Lord Amherst’s rule.

Answer: The annexation of Assam during Lord Amherst’s rule was a crucial event in the expansion of British territorial control in India. Assam, rich in resources like tea and silk, became an important part of the British colonial framework. The annexation was a direct result of the Treaty of Yandabo (1826), which concluded the First Burmese War. The British sought to prevent further Burmese incursions into the northeastern regions, thus asserting their dominance over Assam. The annexation not only expanded British territories but also allowed for increased trade and resource exploitation. This strategic move was in line with the British policy of consolidating their empire, as it provided them access to resources and a stronger foothold in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the incorporation of Assam into British India opened new frontiers for British governance, administration, and trade routes, marking a significant expansion of British influence in the northeastern region.

2. UPSC 2020 Prelims

Question: What were the long-term consequences of the First Burmese War for British India?

Answer: The long-term consequences of the First Burmese War were far-reaching for British India. The war resulted in the annexation of key Burmese territories, like Arakan and Tenasserim, which allowed the British to strengthen their influence in Southeast Asia. These territorial gains were vital for the expansion of British trade routes and military strategy. However, the war also highlighted the challenges of maintaining and administering such far-flung territories. The financial strain and high human costs of the war led the British to adopt more cautious military and colonial strategies in the future. Ultimately, the First Burmese War paved the way for further imperial expansion but also forced the British to reconsider the resources required to manage and defend their empire effectively.