1. Old Delhi and the Origins of ‘Modern’ South Asia

2. In a Vast History, Starting in the Middle Written vedic texts in the first millennium BCE Origins of several of the world’s great religions: Hinduism and Buddhism, not to mention Sikhism Several notable dynastic traditions: Gupta, Cholan, Mughal Also crucial to the understanding of the beginning of a changing global economy (disruption of Indian textiles) European colonial conquest and rule: British East India Company Independence: Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah Religious/political radicalism: India/Pakistan tensions

3. The End of Old Delhi Straddles many historical themes The End of the Mughal Dynasty Shift in British Colonial Rule Rallying cry for Independence Movements Origins of modern Islamic/Hindu/Sikh animosity

4. Setting: A Rising and a Setting Sun The first English endeavor in South Asia: British East India Company From textiles to conquest Mughal Decline from the 17 th century to 19 th century The Last Mughal Emperor: Bahadur Shah II (henceforth “Zafar”)

5. Setting: Islamic and Hindu Relationships under Mughal Rule General Model: Islamic tribute empire with Muslim emperor ruling over Hindu principalities Akbar and the legacy of tolerance Aurangzeb and Islamic orthodoxy Less relevant after the slow decline in the 18 th century Zafar himself-Sufi

6. Setting: Evolving British Attitudes Evolving relationships in the military reflective of generational differences and changing British attitudes First generation British officers and administrators enthusiastic about South Asian Culture: Orientalist Second generation: pragmatists and evangelists

7. Religion Evangelical Christians Hindus Mughal tradition of a flexible, perhaps cosmopolitan, Islam (Zafar himself was a mystic) More orthodox Muslims (outside court)

8. The Military British Military presence British Officers “Sepoys”-High caste Brahman Hindus Successful campaigns initially and mutual trust Later generation British officers held different attitudes The controversy of the Enfield Rifle

9. Rebellion Begins in the military ranks (Mostly) Hindu soldiers march to Delhi Initial days of violence Zafar petitioned for his approval-political legitimacy of the uprising across religious lines The Last Mughal Emperor trapped between two forces of history Faction emerge across and between religions, castes, and political interests

10. British Revenge Violent reprisal visited upon Delhi Zafar imprisoned and the Mughal line broken Great Britain remembers the “Sepoy Rebellion” as a warning: Hardening of the empire Hindus and Muslims remember the uprising ◦1) Evidence of the brutality of British Imperial Rule ◦2) Reason to doubt each other in political struggles against the Empire

11. Legacies Fundamental change in British Colonial Rule in India: The British Raj The Queen would rule directly (through a Governor-General) No more influence by Orientalists Pragmatists take a hard line “The Company” gives way to a more direct form of rule No more Mughal intermediaries Use of the Gurkhas (Nepal) Authoritarianism: Amritsar Massacre of 1919 (More than a 1000 die at Dyer’s orders)

12. Legacies II By the end of the turn of the 20 th century nascent independence movements amongst Hindus and Muslims Initially divided regionally and along religious and cultural lines Indian National Congress begins in the last two decades of the 19 th century-educated elites Gandhi comes from South Africa in 1915-mass appeal and garners Muslims and Hindus work together initially (Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah) Suspicion, negotiation, partition in 1947