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Over 6000 years, perhaps more, military capability of ethnic groups entering the subcontinent
have crucially influenced the micro-ethnically diverse society there. The last of the groups were
the British (more motivated by commercial gains than settlement, unlike most of the others). A more disciplined
approach to life was brought into the subcontinental culture as a result. Local traders started using the
superior enforcement capability of the Company to enormous advantage by way of rented permits. Such was the
military influence of the Company and its ignorance of local culture that the rented permits (dastaks) were misused to cause severe social stress. Strains in various sections of the society, especially related to the agrarian
sphere are evident in that period. Widespread famine in those times which has been recorded is attributed to culturally ill-informed taken steps by the East India Company. The Company got embroiled much more deeply into local
politics than its commercial ambitions would demand. This was greatly assisted by the superior military capability
it had. Soon the Company was body a sought after for governance. However, the discipline which gave it the reliability, was rejected as it clashed with culture (upsetting tradition like widow burning,
thugee and encouraging the culturally offensive idea of accountability ). A long ensuing and culturally deep social backlash resulted in several small hostilities and uprisings culminating in the Mutiny of 1857.
The Company was better organized and focussed in its objective which cannot be expected of the rebels who
wanted the Company out for diverse reasons ranging from personal and cultural to economic and political. However,
given the scale of the mutiny (or uprising) it is generally agreed that a superior military discipline and weaponry helped the East India Company quell the mutiny successfully.
