Consolidator of British Rule in India

Born on April 22nd, 1812, upon the dawn of a new era in politics and economics, I, James Andrew Broun Ramsay, fully embraced the stirring winds of change. Indeed, it can even be said that I helped propel these winds to become a roaring tornado for Britain. My election into the British parliament and my appointment as president of the Board of Trade simply foreshadowed my more renown and glorious accomplishments as a governor-general in India. Because of my annexation policy, also known as the Doctrine Lapse policy, the British East India Company, and ultimately Great Britain herself, achieved greater heights of glory and power. Through the Doctrine of Lapse, any princely state or territory under British influence would automatically be annexed if its ruler was “manifestly incompetent or died without a direct heir.” Although I prioritized my country and acted chiefly to further increase Great Britian's wealth, I also sought to better the situation of the Indians. Attempting to modernize and channel English intellectual movements into India, I was slightly perturbed to behold their vehement responses. In the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Sikh troops and sardars rebelled and murdered Vans Agnew and Lieutenant Anderson. Good came out of this rebellion, however, as after the rebels were defeated, Punjab was annexed, and I was rewarded with the title marquis. So gratified was I, that I sought further to bring Great Britain glory. Hence, I embarked on a quest for conquest in the Second Burmese War and succeeded in annexing the province of Pegu in the Burmese empire. In doing so, I limited Burma’s political and economic growth, causing these territories to depend solely on their British overseers. Nevertheless, I should be looked to as a benefactor. They must all remember that it was I who founded the telegraph and postal systems in India. It must also be noted that I also helped modernize their primitive transportation systems by sponsoring railroad and road construction projects. Establishing Anglo Vernacular Schools, I also aided the natives in becoming more educated and in possessing nobler thoughts. In 1856, I bid India farewell with satisfaction, for I had labored strenuously and meticulously, and much had been accomplished under my administration. As I was on my way back to my homeland on board the Tribune, I had the hopes, which were surely not too fanciful for one who had accomplished so much, of being received with praise and warmth. However, in 1857 Indian troops started to revolt against their British officers. This infamous revolt, which makes me writhe and fills me with such unbearable loathing, became known as the Indian mutiny. 

Sepoy Rebellion

This mutiny, regardless of the fact that it erupted after my administration, tainted my reputation, and I was received in Great Britain with derision and stinging criticism. Although British troops were able to crush the revolt, it caused such a great deal of alarm that the British government decided to take control of the administration of India from the East India Company in 1858. India was then ruled by a viceroy who governed as the personal representative of the British monarch. Although understandably upset at this mutiny, the British government, I believe, made a fatal error in removing the East India Company from power. Truly, the East India Company was the key to maintaining British rule in India. Although order has been restored and Britain still retains power over India, the dissolution of the enterprising British East India Company, which labored efficiently and with such zeal, can only lead to a decline in British control over India.