By the mid-1800s, which European country controlled most of India?

By the mid-1800s, the British Empire controlled most of India. The British East India Company first established a trade presence in India in the early 17th century, but over time, it increasingly assumed administrative and military control over parts of the subcontinent. The Company's rule in India was essentially an extension of British colonial policy. By the mid-19th century, after several military victories and the implementation of subsidiary alliances with Indian rulers, the British East India Company had become the dominant power in India, controlling the majority of the territory.

The process of British domination in India didn't happen overnight. It was a gradual process that began with the trading posts established by the British East India Company, which was originally chartered by Queen Elizabeth I in 1600 to trade with the East Indies but ended up trading primarily with the Indian subcontinent. Over the years, the Company's role in India expanded beyond trade to include governance and military control. Notably, after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and the Battle of Buxar in 1764, the Company gained control over the Bengal region and effectively became the ruler of vast areas of India.

However, it wasn't until after the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (also known as the Sepoy Mutiny) that the British Crown took direct control of India from the British East India Company, establishing the British Raj. The British monarchy ruled India directly through British-appointed viceroys. During this time, the British implemented a series of reforms and infrastructure projects but also faced resistance and calls for independence from various sectors of the Indian population. British rule continued until 1947 when India gained its independence after a long and multifaceted freedom struggle.