British Diplomatic History in Indian Princely States: Hyderabad, Kashmir and Tanjavore

Abstract

Although a multitude of philosophers have researched British diplomacy over the years, the element of British colonial diplomacy in India remains unexplored. The research on British policy in princely states in India is also marginal. This paper aims to analyse the historiography of British diplomacy in India during colonial rule, focusing on princely states as the unit of diplomacy. The paper extensively scrutinizes the British diplomacy and administration of three princely states: Hyderabad, Tanjavore, and Kashmir. Hyderabad was one of the most prominent princely states or a Mohammedan state in India, which had a unique semi-autonomous status compared to the rest, providing details of diplomatic relations with the British. In contrast, Tanjavore and Kashmir are two small princely states affected by domestic and international conflicts, leading them to be more constrained under British rule. This study concludes that the British diplomatic strategies varied significantly based on the political importance and internal conditions of each state. The methodology utilized in this research is an archival analysis of alliances, treaties, and interactions between the princely states and the British. Overall, the study provides a more nuanced understanding of colonial governance by highlighting the differentiated and pragmatic nature of British diplomacy in India.