Final answer:
British power transitioned from the British East India Company to direct British government control after the Sepoy Mutiny, marking the beginning of the British Raj.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shift in British power during the 18th and 19th centuries is a transformative period in history. Initially, power moved from the hands of the British East India Company to direct British government control after the dissolution of the company following the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857. This event marked the start of the British Raj in India. Britain's ascension to widespread control and influence came after their victory in the Seven Years' War, gaining dominance over other European powers and acquiring territories globally.
The Industrial Revolution that began in Britain further solidified its status as an economic powerhouse, enabling it to produce goods cheaply and pursue a policy of free trade. However, the shift toward the decline of British dominance occurred with the rise of other powers such as Germany and the United States, along with the crumbling of the Ottoman Empire.