British Imperialism in India Chapter 11 Section 4 Keeley Thompson Ansley Dees Elizabeth Neece

Main Idea As the Mughal Empire declined, Britain seized Indian territory and soon controlled almost the whole subcontinent.

Timeline to Set the Stage 1600s- British had economic interest in India, which led to the establishment of the Britain East India Company. It held trading post in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. Mughal Dynasty had control at the time Mughal Empire begins to collapse. Maharaja, rulers, began to break away Robert Clive led the East Indian Company troops to a victory over the Indians at the Battle of Plassey East India Company remained the leading power in India.

British Expands Control Over India ~Governed directly and indirectly covering areas including: modern Bangladesh, most of southern India, and nearly all the territory along the Ganges River. East India Company Dominates ~British government regulated company efforts in London and India, where government was granted interference in the 19 th century. ~East India Company had its own army. Staffed by the sepoys, Indian soldiers.

Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown” ~India was treasured for its potential not the actual profit. ~Britain was the workshop during the Industrial Revolution, and India acted as a major supplier of resources. ~India also had a large population, which meant India had a large market and labor force. ~The name “jewel in the crown” refers to India as being the most valuable colony Britain had conquered.

Britain’s Restrictions ~Indian Company’s could not operate independently. ~They were required to produce raw materials for Britain and buy British goods. Raw materials consisted of tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, jute, and opium, which was shipped to China and traded for tea. ~Competition was also prohibited. For example, India’s handloom textile industry was eliminated and replaced with the innovative British inventions.

British Transport and Trade Goods ~Established a railroad network in India, which ultimately increased the value of the colony. The Process: raw materials (located in interior of India)- ports- manufactured goods- back again ~Trade tied to many international events. -Crimean War 1850s- Cut off supply of Russian and Scottish jute causing a reliance on Indian jute. -Civil War in the United States prevented cotton supplies from coming into Britain, so India had an increase in cotton trade.

Impact of Colonialism Positive Benefits ~Developed the 3 rd largest network bringing in wealth for Britain and a modern economy and unity for India. ~Roads, telephones, telegraph lines, bridges, and irrigation canals all modernized India. ~Sanitation and public health improved. ~Education was funded. ~British troops cleared bandits and ended local warfare among competing rulers. Negative Harms ~Britain held political and economic power, restricting Indian- owned industries like cotton. ~Cash crops emphasis resulted in loss of self- sufficiency of villagers and famine. ~Britain adopted a hands-off policy regarding religious and social customs.

The Sepoy Mutiny *Discontent arose through feelings of racism and controlling of land, and the Indians questioned British rule. Indians Rebel ~As economic problems arose so did resentment and nationalism. ~1857- Gossip spread amongst sepoys that the cartridges of their new Enfield rifles were greased with beef and pork fat. To use the weapons, soldiers had to bite off the ends. Hindus considered the cow a sacred animal, and Muslims do not eat pork. This caused outrage. Out of ninety soldiers 85 refused the usage of the weapon, and they were imprisoned, which was a setback to the British army.

Sepoy (Indian Soldier)

Indians Rebel (continued) ~May 10, The official rebellion of the sepoys. They marched to Delphi, captured the city, and continued the rebellion because the idea diffused to northern India and central India. ~Fierce fighting in a fast moving uprising took the East India Company more than a year to regain control of the country.

Why did the Indians fail at the rebellion? ~Lack of a strong leadership role ~Splits between Muslims and Hindus ~Hindus did not want the Muslim Mughal Empire to gain power again, so they preferred British rule to an extent. ~The Sikhs, a religious group that had been hostile to the Mughals, also remained loyal to Britain during the rebellions.

Turning Point ~The mutiny was the turning point for India. Results of the Mutiny ~In 1858, Britain was the direct command of India. ~Part of India that was under British rule was called the Raj, referring to British rule over India from 1757 until ~1877, the British governor general held the title of viceroy, or a person appointed to rule a country. ~A cabinet minister in London was instructed to direct policy. ~Loyal princes were promised all alliances would be upheld with the East India Company.

Turning Point ~The Indian states were “free,” but unofficially, Britain gained even more control over their colony. ~The Sepoy Mutiny fueled British racist. It also increased distrust. “A delicate and dangerous machine, which a little mismanagement may easily turn against us.” ~Bombay Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone *Quote describing the sepoy

Turning Point: Quote “It is this consciousness of the European which has won for us India. However well educated and clever 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 consisted an equal of the British officer.” ~Lord Kitchener, British Commander in Chief of Army in India

Nationalism Surfaces in India ~Early 1800s demand amongst Indians increased for modernization and a greater role in independent governing. ~Ram Mohun Roy, “Father of Modern India”- began a campaign to move India from traditional practices and ideas. -He recognized arranged child marriages and the rigid caste separation as parts of religious life that needed to be changed. -His writings inspired the adoption of westernization. -He founded a social reform movement that was successful for India.

Ram Mohun Roy

Nationalism ~Indians detested the system making themselves the second-class citizen in their own home land. Nationalism Groups Form: -Indian National Congress in Muslim League in 1906 *Their focus was on specific concerns of Indians and then on self-governing. -In 1905, the partition of Bengal inflamed people to terroristic actions.

Caption of The Sepoy Mutiny