Understanding the Question: Chronological Arrangement of Indian Treaties

The question asks us to arrange four important treaties in the history of India under British rule in chronological order, starting from the earliest. To answer this question, we need to know the dates when each of these treaties was signed.

Identifying the Treaties and Their Dates

Let's look at the treaties provided and find their respective dates:

• (A) The Treaty of Srirangpattanam
• (B) The Treaty of Lahore
• (C) The Treaty of Bassien (Vasai)
• (D) The Treaty of Allahabad and Kara

Here are the dates for each treaty:

• The Treaty of Allahabad and Kara: Signed in 1765, after the Battle of Buxar. This treaty is significant as it granted the British East India Company the Diwani (right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
• The Treaty of Srirangpattanam: Signed in 1792, marking the end of the Third Anglo-Mysore War between the British East India Company and Tipu Sultan.
• The Treaty of Bassien (Vasai): Signed in 1802, between the British East India Company and the Peshwa Baji Rao II of the Maratha Empire. This treaty was a major step towards the dissolution of the Maratha Empire and the implementation of the Subsidiary Alliance system.
• The Treaty of Lahore: Signed in 1846, concluding the First Anglo-Sikh War. This treaty led to the cession of significant territories by the Sikhs and the installation of a British Resident in Lahore.

Arranging the Treaties Chronologically

Now, let's arrange these treaties based on their signing dates, from the earliest to the latest:

1. Treaty of Allahabad and Kara (1765)
2. Treaty of Srirangpattanam (1792)
3. Treaty of Bassien (Vasai) (1802)
4. Treaty of Lahore (1846)

Comparing this chronological order with the options provided, the correct sequence is (D), (A), (C), (B).

Summary Table of Treaties

Conclusion

Based on the dates, the chronological order of the treaties is The Treaty of Allahabad and Kara (1765), The Treaty of Srirangpattanam (1792), The Treaty of Bassien (Vasai) (1802), and The Treaty of Lahore (1846). This corresponds to the sequence (D), (A), (C), (B).

Revision Table: Key Treaties of British India

Additional Information: Historical Treaties and Their Impact

Treaties played a crucial role in the expansion of British power in India. They were often used to legitimize territorial gains, establish alliances, or impose control over Indian states. Understanding the key treaties helps in tracing the trajectory of British dominance.

• The Treaty of Allahabad (1765): Signed after the British victory at Buxar, it was a turning point. Gaining Diwani rights provided the Company with vast resources from Bengal's revenues, which funded their military expansion.
• The Treaty of Srirangpattanam (1792): Weakened Mysore considerably, paving the way for its final defeat in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799) and the death of Tipu Sultan.
• The Treaty of Bassien (1802): This treaty effectively brought the Maratha Peshwa under British paramountcy and was a major cause for the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805), which further consolidated British control over central India.
• The Treaty of Lahore (1846): Significantly weakened the Sikh Empire, which was the last major Indian power opposing British expansion. It led to the gradual annexation of Punjab after the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-1849).

These treaties illustrate the strategic steps taken by the British East India Company to expand its political and economic control across the Indian subcontinent.