The Carnatic Treaty was signed on 26 July 1801.[1] It is a treaty between the Nawab of Arcot and the East India Company. It is one of the treaties by which the British Empire acquired its rule over the Indian subcontinent or later known as British India. The treaty entailed that the Nawab was to cede the districts of North Arcot, South Arcot, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai and Tirunelveli to the company, and transfer all the administrative powers to it.[2]

Nawab Azim-ud-Daula and Major-General Arthur Wellesley sign the Carnatic Treaty at Chepauk Palace.

Background

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The treaty resulted in the liquidation of all the local chieftains of Tamil Nadu and The East India Company assumed direct control over Tamil Nadu. The Palayakkarar system came to an end as they had to demolish all forts and disband their armies. It resulted in the Company having full command over the region.[3][4]

Consequences

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East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1806
Act of Parliament
 
Long titleAn Act for enabling the Commissioners acting in Execution of an Agreement made between the East India Company and the private Creditors of the Nabobs of the Carnatic, the better to carry the same into Effect.
Citation46 Geo. 3. c. cxxxiii
Dates
Royal assent21 July 1806
Other legislation
Repealed byStatute Law (Repeals) Act 2008
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted
East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1810
Act of Parliament
 
Long titleAn Act to continue until the Twenty fifth Day of March One thousand eight hundred and thirteen, the Powers of the Commissioners appointed in pursuance of an Act of the Forty sixth Year of His present Majesty, for enabling the Commissioners acting in pursuance of an Agreement between the East India Company and the private Creditors of the Nabobs of the Carnatic, the better to carry the same into Effect.
Citation50 Geo. 3. c. cciii
Dates
Royal assent15 June 1810
Other legislation
Amends
  • East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1806
Repealed byStatute Law (Repeals) Act 2008
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted
East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1812
Act of Parliament
 
Long titleAn Act for further continuing until the First Day of August One thousand eight hundred and sixteen, and from thence until the End of the then next Session of Parliament, the Powers of the Commissioners appointed in pursuance of an Act of the Forty sixth Year of His present Majesty, for enabling the Commissioners acting in pursuance of an Agreement between the East India Company and the private Creditors of the Nabobs of the Carnatic, to carry the same into Effect.
Citation52 Geo. 3. c. clxxxviii
Dates
Royal assent9 July 1812
Other legislation
Amends
  • East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1806
Repealed byStatute Law (Repeals) Act 2008
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted
East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1817
Act of Parliament
 
Citation57 Geo. 3. c. viii
Dates
Royal assent17 March 1817
Other legislation
Amends
  • East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1806
Repealed byStatute Law (Repeals) Act 2008
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted
East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1819
Act of Parliament
 
Citation59 Geo. 3. c. xxvi
Dates
Royal assent19 May 1819
Other legislation
Amends
  • East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1806
Repealed byStatute Law (Repeals) Act 2008
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted
East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1822
Act of Parliament
 
Citation3 Geo. 4. c. xviii
Dates
Royal assent15 May 1822
Expired31 May 1826
Other legislation
Amends
  • East India Company and the Nabobs of the Carnatic Act 1806
Repealed byStatute Law (Repeals) Act 2008
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

Based on the terms of the treaty, the Nawab of Arcot (sometimes called the Nawab of the Carnatic) ceded all his lands to British rule, including the territory of the polygars. He was retained one-fifth of the revenues of the country, amounting to 12 lakhs p.a in exchange.[citation needed][5]

See also

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Literature

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  • John Malcolm (1826). The Political History of India, from 1784 to 1823, Volume 1.

References

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  1. ^ Rajayyan, K. (1970). "British Annexation of the Carnatic, 1801". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 32: 54–62. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44138505.
  2. ^ John Malcolm (1826). The Political History of India, from 1784 to 1823, Volume 1. p. 1.
  3. ^ Rajayyan, K. (1970). "British Annexation of the Carnatic, 1801". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 32: 54–62. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44138505.
  4. ^ "Importance of the Treaty of 1801 – Social Science". shaalaa.com.
  5. ^ Commons, Great Britain Parliament House of (1861). Parliamentary Papers. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 57.
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