द इण्डियन स्ट्रगल / भारतीय स्वाधीनता संग्राम (नेताजी सुभाष चन्द्र बोस - ऐतिहासिक विश्लेषण)

18 THE INDIAN STRUGGLE After going through the pages of Indian history, chapter by chapter, we can draw the following general conclusions: (1) A period of rise has been followed by a period of decline, to be followed again by a new upheaval. (2) The decline is the result chiefly of physical and intel- lectual fatigue. (3) Progress and fresh consolidation has been brought about by an influx of new ideas and sometimes an infusion of fresh blood. (4) Every new epoch has been heralded by people possess- ing greater intellectual power and superior military skill. (5) Throughout Indian history all foreign elements have always been slowly absorbed by Indian society. The British are the first and the only exception to this. (6) In spite of changes in the Central Government, the people have all along been accustomed to a large measure of real liberty. § II. LANDMARKS IN BRITISH RULE IN INDIA England first obtained her foothold in India through the East India Company. This company received a Royal Charter which conferred large powers in the matter of trade mono- poly, acquisition of territory, etc. The East India Company succeeded in establishing itself in India towards the begin- ning of the seventeenth century as a trading concern. Gra- dually friction arose between the Company and the local Indian rulers of the day. And this led in some places, as Bengal, to armed conflict. During the course of one of these conflicts the then ruler of Bengal, Nawab Sirajudowla, was defeated by the combined forces of the Company and the Indian renegades who conspired against him. This was practically the beginning of the political conquest of India. A few years later in 1765, the Emperor Shah Alam of Delhi, who was then the nominal ruler of India, granted the Dewani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the East India Company.