Question

Give the meaning of absentee sovereignty. Why was it resented by the Indians?

Answer 1

Hint: It was a method of ruling followed by the British while being present in person in Britain. This allowed mismanagement in allotment of funds between Indians and diverting money to the colonizers.

Complete answer:
- What must be noted that this is not just limited to economic drawbacks but also extends to the political sphere. For instance, when the Queen was the sovereign and the East India Company ruled on her behalf, a lot of discrepancies were seen in the decision-making.
- Even rulers before them like the Mughals eventually shifted base over time and used funds for the welfare of the common folk.
- This process began back in 1600 when a charter was signed with Queen Elizabeth I for having a monopoly on trade in India, for which they also put in over 70,000 pounds. This later expanded to political hegemony as well.
- They adopted a ‘factory system’, under which they left ‘factors’, who were like officers who pitched their demands here. They gained the right to fight under the garb of protecting their merchants.
- The draining of wealth was both in monetary terms and kind. Unending access to local labour, cheap raw materials in exchange for meagre compensation and unfair restrictions on indigenous practices like grazing and timbering was imposed.

Note: Individuals protested this type of ruling as it did not voice their concerns and garner prompt responses.