2-1: Indian Society and the Making of the British Empire | Christopher Alan Bayly (1988) | Volume II: Indian states and the transition to colonialism | The New Cambridge History of India

Indian Society and the Making of the British Empire | Christopher Alan Bayly (1988)

Overview

Released in 1988, Indian Society and the Making of the British Empire represents a significant contribution to the New Cambridge History of India series. Written by the distinguished historian Christopher Alan Bayly, this work examines how India's internal social, economic, and political transformations influenced and facilitated British colonial expansion from the mid-18th to the early 19th centuries.
In contrast to conventional histories that concentrate solely on British military victories or conquest, Bayly redirects the focus toward Indian society itself. He posits that colonialism was not merely an external imposition but rather was fostered by substantial structural shifts within Indian states and communities, particularly those motivated by regional politics, urban development, trade connections, and collaboration among elites.

Historical Context

Bayly's account centers on the timeframe from the decline of the Mughal Empire in the early 1700s to the entrenchment of British authority following the Marathas' defeat in 1818. Throughout this period:

• Numerous regional states, including the Marathas, Mysore, Bengal, and Awadh, emerged as significant powers.
• These states encountered internal challenges due to increasing commercialization, pressures on revenue, and competition among elites.
• The British East India Company took advantage of these changes, forming pacts with Indian leaders and incorporating their institutions.

Bayly’s central argument asserts that the colonial state was shaped by Indian precedents and relied significantly on local collaborators, bureaucracies, and systems.

Key Themes of the Book

Internal Indian Dynamics
Bayly highlights that India was not merely an unwilling subject of British colonization. The internal developments — including:

• the growth of urban merchant classes,
• the commercialization of agriculture,
• the decline in centralized Mughal authority, and
• the fragmentation of local power

all established the foundation for the East India Company’s triumph.
Collaboration and Continuity

The establishment of British rule was enabled through partnerships with Indian elites, such as zamindars, bankers, soldiers, and bureaucrats.
Bayly illustrates how British institutions frequently drew upon pre-existing Mughal and regional frameworks (such as land revenue systems and administrative structures).

Global and Local Intersections

Bayly relates the Indian phenomenon to global trade and imperial systems:

• Indian merchants and bankers maintained connections across Central Asia, Arabia, and Europe.
• British prosperity hinged on their access to Indian resources to fund military efforts in other regions (notably during the Napoleonic Wars).

Decline of Traditional Polities

• The gradual decline of Mughal credibility and military overextension by regional entities like the Marathas and Mysore created an opening for the Company to occupy the political void.

Reinterpretation of Colonialism

• Rather than characterizing colonialism as a sudden break, Bayly perceives it as a multifaceted and nuanced evolution, intertwining local continuities with imperial innovation.

About the Author: Christopher Alan Bayly

C. A. Bayly (1945–2015) was a highly influential historian specializing in South Asia and global history.

• He held esteemed positions at Cambridge University.
• His notable works include Empire and Information and The Birth of the Modern World.
• He was a trailblazer in the field of global and interconnected histories, highlighting non-Western influences in crafting the contemporary world.

Why This Book Is Essential

• It presents a nuanced viewpoint: merges Indian agency with colonial tactics.
• Valuable for comprehending the social foundations of imperialism.
• It questions older accounts that overly simplify the British takeover.
• An outstanding resource for history students, UPSC/CSS candidates, and scholars.