WI: British India collapses in the 1780s

The British were in a tough position in the early 1780s, as they had to fight the Marathas and Mysore at the same time.

Now say everything goes wrong for them.

- The Maratha plan to raid Bengal is carried out
- There is a famine and a large revolt in Bengal
- Peace with the French is delayed

So to protect Bengal the English divert forces away from the rest of India. This + continued and large-scale French involvement means the Marathas and Mysore both decisively win. Maybe the English even lose parts of Bengal to the Marathas.

What are the likely circumstances?
 
The British were in a tough position in the early 1780s, as they had to fight the Marathas and Mysore at the same time.

Now say everything goes wrong for them.

- The Maratha plan to raid Bengal is carried out
- There is a famine and a large revolt in Bengal
- Peace with the French is delayed

So to protect Bengal the English divert forces away from the rest of India. This + continued and large-scale French involvement means the Marathas and Mysore both decisively win. Maybe the English even lose parts of Bengal to the Marathas.

What are the likely circumstances?

Are the Maratha's successful in raiding Bengal?

French gains might increase, and it is possible that the Marathas expand more of their empire
 
Are the Maratha's successful in raiding Bengal?

More about the fact that the Marathas can actually reach Bengal, even though they certainly won't oust the British in one go. Such a raid would make the British keep men in Bengal or even draw back their forces from the battlefronts, which means a more likely chance of defeat with the Marathas and with Mysore since the resources of Bengal sustained British positions during the two simultaneous wars.
 
More about the fact that the Marathas can actually reach Bengal, even though they certainly won't oust the British in one go. Such a raid would make the British keep men in Bengal or even draw back their forces from the battlefronts, which means a more likely chance of defeat with the Marathas and with Mysore since the resources of Bengal sustained British positions during the two simultaneous wars.

Interesting, then would it be possible to see them completely driven out?
 
Interesting, then would it be possible to see them completely driven out?

In a sense. The 1780s was obviously a period when British morale was somewhat battered globally. It is conceivably possible that the British Government might pull the plug on the HEIC if it starts running up large war debts without even being able to guarantee existing sources of income.

However the British are entering into or already in by some opinions, in the Industrial Revolution they will still be able to sell Indians an awful lot of stuff they like. Given India as a vast market it may be that the British swing to propping up local regimes in their contests with other European powers, which given the size and strength of the Royal Navy means a lot of propping.

It might be interesting to see how an independent Indian sub-continent might develop if guarded by a British open door policy.
 
In a sense. The 1780s was obviously a period when British morale was somewhat battered globally. It is conceivably possible that the British Government might pull the plug on the HEIC if it starts running up large war debts without even being able to guarantee existing sources of income.

However the British are entering into or already in by some opinions, in the Industrial Revolution they will still be able to sell Indians an awful lot of stuff they like. Given India as a vast market it may be that the British swing to propping up local regimes in their contests with other European powers, which given the size and strength of the Royal Navy means a lot of propping.

It might be interesting to see how an independent Indian sub-continent might develop if guarded by a British open door policy.

That would certainly be very interesting, and would definitely raise issues over how India develops over the centuries, if there is no 1857 rebellion, it is possible no feelings of direct nationalism arise.
 
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