Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/704

 540 General History of Europe Turning first to India, the British rule, in the opening years of the nineteenth century, extended over the Bengal region and far up the Ganges valley beyond Delhi. A narrow strip along the eastern coast, the southern point of the peninsula, and the island of Ceylon had also been brought under England's con- trol, and in the west she held Bombay and a considerable area north of Surat. Besides these regions, which the English ad- ministered directly, there were a number of princes over whom they exercised the right of "protection." The French and Portuguese possessions had de- clined into mere trading posts, and in the heart of India only one power disputed the ad- vance of the English toward complete conquest (see map, P-393)- 974. The Mahratta Con- federacy. This was a union of native princes, known as the Mahratta Confederacy. It oc- cupied the region to the east of the Bombay coast, and the constant fighting that went on between its members continually disturbed the neighboring English possessions. At length England determined to suppress the Mahrattas and succeeded in conquering their territory in a serious war which took place in 1816-1818. A considerable part of their land was annexed, but some of the princes were permitted to continue their rule under English sovereignty a position that they still occupy. 975. Conquest of the Gurkhas and Nepal. At about the same time England conquered the Gurkhas, who lived to the north along the great mountain range of the Himalayas. The Gurkhas were a menace, for they were wont to sweep down from the MAHARAJAH SAHIBA OF BHARATPUR