British Rule in India State Standard W.20 Explain the transfer in 1858 of government to Great Britain on the Indian Subcontinent following the Sepoy Rebellion. D. What was the source of conflict between the British and Indian people? E. What were the results of British rule in India? F. Who was responsible for leading the independence movement in India?

Sepoy Rebellion (Mutiny)/First War of Independence: D. What was the source of conflict between the British and Indian people? Sepoy: Indian soldiers hired by the British to protect British interests in India. Sepoy Rebellion (Mutiny)/First War of Independence: Immediate cause: it was rumored that the sepoy troop’s new rifle cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat. Cows are sacred to Hindus Pigs are taboo to Muslims

D. What was the source of conflict between the British and Indian people? Some sepoy soldiers refused to touch the cartridges with their mouths, leading the British to charge them with mutiny and place them in prison. In response, other sepoy soldiers went on a rampage, killing 50 British men, women, and children.

D. What was the source of conflict between the British and Indian people? In the following year, the British (outnumbered 230,000 to 45,000) were able to put down the rebellion. Indians were poorly organized and there was conflict between Hindus and Muslims.

D. What was the source of conflict between the British and Indian people? As a result, the British parliament decided to take direct control of India to the British government. Queen Victoria was labeled empress of India The period of British control from 1858 – 1948 is known as raj. This turmoil created a strong sense of nationalism among the Indian population.

Daily Assignment Who were the sepoys? What caused the sepoy rebellion? What was the result of the sepoy rebellion?

E. What were the results of British rule in India? Viceroy: British governors that ruled as a representative of the Queen. Pros: offered a stable, often fair government to a country that was often divided and ruled by many different local governments. Universities, roads, canals, hospitals, post offices and over 25,000 miles of railroad were built during raj. Health and Sanitation conditions improved.

E. What were the results of British rule in India? Cons: The language of choice in schools was English, which meant school was limited to the elite. 90% of Indians remained illiterate. British business and industries put local Indian industries out of business, causing the unemployment rate to increase. Tax collectors raised taxes on their own accord, increasing poverty, and forcing many to lose their land. Farmers were encouraged to switch from food growth to cotton growth. Food shortages followed. Over 30 million died between 1800 – 1900. The British were sometimes degrading and racist. The best jobs, land, and homes were reserved for Britons.

F. Who was responsible for leading the independence movement in India? 1885 – The Indian National Congress (INC) was formed. Due to religious differences between Hindus and Muslims, the league was not successful. 1914 – Mohandas Gandhi returned from South Africa and began his movement of nonviolent resistance. 1947 – British passed the Indian Independence Act, granting independence to India and creating a separate Muslim country (Pakistan).