1. British Imperialism in India

2. Brit. East India Co. est. trading posts in Bombay, Madras, & Calcutta
1757: Robert Clive led E. India Co. troops Indian forces allied w/Fr. (Battle of Plassey)
East India Co. = leading power in India (1858)

3. I. Expansion of Brit. Authority
E. India Co. = governed huge realm
Strained co’s. resources
Some officials = corrupt
Brit. govt. = regulate activities
late 1700s = Brit. govt. appointed the governor-general
Company = ruled India w/little interference from govt.

4. Company had own army led by Brit. Officers
Sepoys = Indian soldiers
India = treasured for potential
Raw materials
Large market (300 mill.)
“jewel in the crown”
Brit. undermined Indian economy
India had to produce raw materials & buy Brit. Goods
Local producers driven out of business

5. Raw materials = plantation crops
Brit. built RRs
Transported raw materials & finished products
Raw materials = plantation crops
Tea, indigo, coffee, jute, cotton, opium
International events sparked demand

6. Pros & Cons of Brit. Colonialism
1. Brits. had all political & economic power
2. Brits. undermined Indian industries
3. loss of self-sufficiency b/c of cash crops
4. focus on cash crops = food shortage, famines
5. Euro customs spread

7. PROS: 1. RRs united India 2. other infrastructure projects = MODERNITY
3. sanitation improved
4. education (literacy improved)

8. II. The Indian Revolt By 1850 = Brits controlled most of India
Discontent was widespread
1857: sepoys discovered rifle cartridges were greased w/beef & pork fat
Sepoys refused cartridges (jailed)
May 10, 1857: Sepoys rebelled
Sepoys captured Delhi (Sepoy Mutiny)
Brit. govt. sent troops to put down revolt

9. Indians could not unite (split w/Hindus & Muslims)
Hindus & Sikhs: did not want Muslim Mughal rule restored
Brit. took over direct command of India (1858)
The Raj = Brit. rule over India ( )
Sepoy Mutiny fueled racist attitudes
It is this consciousness of the inherent superiority of the European which has won for us India. However well educated and clever a native may be, and however brave he may prove himself, I believe that no rank we can bestow on him would cause him to be considered an equal of the British officer.

10. III. Nationalism Surfaces
Indians hated Brit. rulers (made them second-class citizens)
Indian National Congress (1885)
Muslim League (1906)
WANTED INDEPENDENCE