ABSTRACT
The political history of the British in India begins in the 18th century with the French wars in the Karnatik. In the south, the influence of the French under Lally and Bussy was overshadowing the British at Madras. The Mughal Empire was completely broken up; and the sway had to pass either to the local Muhammadan governors of that Empire, or to the Hindu confederacy represented by the Marathas, or to the British. Lord Marquis Wellesley determined that it should pass to the British. The early English rulers did not dare to violate the religious traditions of the people. Lord Auckland forthwith resolved upon the hazardous plan of placing a more subservient ruler upon the throne of Kabul. Lord Cornwallis, the Governor-General, led the British army in person, with a pomp and a magnificence of supply which recalled the campaigns of Aurangzeb.
