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The document discusses various historical perspectives on Robert Clive, highlighting his controversial reputation as both a courageous soldier and a reckless, greedy figure. It also addresses the challenges faced by the Indian cotton industry in the 19th century due to British policies that favored British production over Indian goods. Additionally, it touches on the British East India Company's influence in India, the depiction of power dynamics in a painting from 1825, and the cultural tensions arising from British missionary activities.

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2 views

insert questions

The document discusses various historical perspectives on Robert Clive, highlighting his controversial reputation as both a courageous soldier and a reckless, greedy figure. It also addresses the challenges faced by the Indian cotton industry in the 19th century due to British policies that favored British production over Indian goods. Additionally, it touches on the British East India Company's influence in India, the depiction of power dynamics in a painting from 1825, and the cultural tensions arising from British missionary activities.

Uploaded by

realyushay5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Summer 2020

(a) According to Source A what were the personal characteristics of Robert Clive? [3]

SOURCE A There are few figures in history as controversial as Robert Clive. Some people
described him as a soldier of initiative, courage and determination. Other people saw him as
reckless and unprincipled, a rebel expelled from several schools for bad behaviour. They said his
victories at Arcot, Calcutta and Plassey were all the result of lucky gambles that put his men in
unnecessary danger. It was also said that Clive used tactics that were sly and against the
accepted codes of battle. Clive was also described as cruel, lacking in morality and greedy for
personal wealth.

Adapted from an article in a British newspaper published in June 1988

Level 1: Relevant statement(s) identified from the source 1–3 (One mark for each relevant
statement identified from the source, two marks for a developed statement from the source)
e.g. • A brave/courageous soldier; • A man of initiative [1], leadership [1], determined [1]; •
Reckless [1], unprincipled [1]; • Badly behaved; • Gambled/took risks in battle; • Put his men's
life in danger; • Devious [1], sly in battle [1]; • Cruel; • Immoral; • Greedy.

Summer 2017

(a) According to Source A, what difficulties did the Indian cotton industry face during the
nineteenth century?

SOURCE A The Indian cotton industry At first the East India Company and the British Parliament
discouraged Indian production of cotton goods in order to encourage the growing cotton
industry in Great Britain. British policy developed during the nineteenth century to allow Indian
people to grow raw cotton in order to supply material for the cotton factories of Great Britain.
Orders were sent out to force Indian skilled workers to work in the East India Company’s
factories. The East India Company was given legal powers to control production in the villages
and communities of Indian weavers. Very high tariffs excluded Indian silks and cotton goods
from Great Britain but British goods were admitted into India free of duty. From The Economic
History of In

e.g. • Indian production of cotton goods was discouraged – in favour of British industry. • Only
allowed to grow raw cotton to supply British looms. • Skilled workers had to work in East India
Company (EIC) factories. • EIC controlled Indian weaving production. • Very high tariffs
prevented Indian silk and cotton from entering Britain. • No duty on British goods reaching
India. Note: Allow a second mark for a developed statement from the source.
(b) How does Source B help us to understand Indian concerns about the building of railways
in India during the nineteenth century?

Level 3: Valid inference(s) supported by detail from the source and/or contextual knowledge e.g.
• It looks dangerous / unsafe to travel by rail due to the risk of derailment or accident, which
might cause injury and death. • Since railways were not built safely at first, accidents like these
were frequent in India. • Accidents like the one shown in the source made some people fear
that railways were dangerous. • Some people also worried that the British were trying to
change their way of life.

Summer 2015

(c) What does Source B tell us about the British East India Company in 1825? [5]

SOURCE B The British East India Company A painting of a British official of the British East India
Company riding in an Indian procession in 1825.

The painter has made the British officer the largest figure to demonstrate the importance that
they held in India. Similarly the Indians are shown as small people to reflect their lowly status.
Local rulers are on horseback behind the British official. They are shown as smaller, reflecting
their lower status to the British. The horses are shown as large animals, graceful in appearance
and movement, again showing superiority and power. This is reinforced by soldiers on horses
who were carrying weapons. The East India Company is shown as being a wealthy organisation
as seen in the uniforms and the decorations on the horses. The Company were able to achieve
this wealth through trading as can be seen by the boat shown in the picture and through the
gaining of lands through conquest and agreements with local rulers. This is shown by the
weapons displayed and the wealthy appearance of the Indians that the British were also able to
exploit.

Winter 2014

At first the East India Company had a neutral point of view towards religion in India. However,
with the work of missionaries in the sub-continent, the Christian faith of British people living in
India was strengthened. As a result people became more intolerant of Indian traditions and
behaviour and the British began to impose changes on the way Indians lived, which caused
resentment and anxiety.

(a) What was suttee? [4]


Reward each correct statement with 1 mark. 2 marks can be awarded for a developed
statement. Candidates might refer to: A Hindu tradition, ritual burning of widows on funeral
pyre of husbands. British tended to ignore the practice because of the fear of offending
high-caste Hindus serving in the British army and civil service. In 1813 stated it was
voluntary and would only be banned if Hindu religion opposed it, the widow was under 16
or intoxicated or pregnant. Practice outlawed by EIC in Bengal in 1829 and later in rest of
India by Governor General Lord Bentinck. Suttee remained legal in some princely states.
Isolated instances occurred in 20th century.

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