1. British India

2. India
Colonization occurs long before Africa, therefore decolonization begins earlier
¾ Hindu
¼ Muslim

3. From Trading Post to Colony
British East India Company had trading rights during Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire collapsed in 1757, BEIC took control with Sepoy force
Sepoy Mutiny (Great Rebellion) in warning to British government
Queen Victoria’s government took direct control of the Raj in 1857

4. Sepoy Mutiny 1857

5. British India
Upper class Indian bureaucracy given some local power – indirect rule (but British made decisions and passed laws, not Indians)
Began to become a louder voice for self-rule
Indian National Congress established in 1885 began to push the issue with surging Indian nationalism
New identity in some ways created by British presence

6. 1st Indian National Congress 1885

7. Mohandas Gandhi Indian middle class background
Appealed to Western-educated and the masses
Sollicitor trained in London
Head of National Indian Party from 1920
Non-violent protest based on civil disobedience
Boycotts elections
Boycotts British products, schools, courts
Refuses to pay taxes
Organizes strikes
Organizes mass demonstrations
Supports Satyagraha or
truth force/soul force
Video: Gandhi’s Non-Violent Speech

8. British India
Upper class Indian bureaucracy given some local power – indirect rule (but British made decisions and passed laws, not Indians)
Began to become a louder voice for self-rule
Indian National Congress Party
Formed in 1885 with British blessing
Forum through which views of educated Indians could be made aware to the British government
Members become alarmed at growing racism of Brits to Indians, realization of shared grievances, and growth of common Indian identity.
New identity in some ways created by British presence

9. Gandhi and Salt March 1930 protesting British monopoly of salt
Video: Gandhi and the Salt March scene

10. Steps to India’s Independence pre WWII
London signs the India Act 1935
Gives form of political autonomy
1942 Congress Party launches “Quit India” campaign
Leaders arrested
Massive violence erupts

11. On the Road to Independence
Postwar period, negotiations resume
UK accepts principle of independence
Wants guarantees that country will remain unified and minority (Muslims) rights protected
Bloodbath between Hindus and Muslims
1946 Great Killing of Calcutta

12. Victory at Last but with a bitter taste
British grant full independence 1947 with partition
Territory divided into 2 nations: India and Pakistan
Extreme violence between communities (300 – 500 thousand deaths, million people migrate
Gandhi assasinated by Hindu extremist in 1948

13. Great partition of India and Pakistan 1947

14. Jawharlal Nehru 1929 becomes president of Congress Party
Fights for total Indian independence
Becomes Prime Minister of India until his death in 1964

15. Video: Partition of India 15’