British Imperialism in India

Jewel in the Crown

Causes of Asian Imperialism: 1600’s: British East India Company set up in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. 1757: East Indian Co. Troops defeat Indian & French. The East India Co. becomes the leading power in India until 1858. Domination of East Indian Company: British gov’t. regulates Company’s in London and India. Company had an army led by British & staffed by sepoys (Indian soldiers) Served as a large market with a population of 300 million “Jewel in the crown”

Restrictions place on Indian Economy: Forced to buy British goods No competition allowed Cheap clothes from England drove out local producers Indian Importance Increases: Railroad network=fast transport of plantation crops—tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, jute and opium. The Opium was shipped to China in exchange for tea Tea was then sold in England.

Sepoy Mutiny Indian discontent with: Christian missionaries Racism Declining economic conditions Greasing rifle cartridges with beef & pork Result of discontent: 85-90 sepoys refuse to accept the cartridges Soldiers jailed May 10, 1857 sepoys rebelled Marched to Delhi and spread rebellion to N. & Central India The Sepoy Mutiny had begun! FIERCE FIGHTING It took more than a year for E.I. Co. to regain control (British troops were needed to help) Weak leadership and the split between Muslim and Hindus thwarted sepoy success. Hindu preferred British to Muslim rule.

Mutiny=Turning Point British gov’t now had direct command of India The part of India under direct British Rule was called the Raj—lasted from 1858-1947 Cabinet minister in London controlled policy while a British governor-general (viceroy after 1877) in India carried out out his wishes. British promised to respect all treaties made w/ E.I. Co. Indian states that were still free would be allowed to be independent Racism increased

Nationalism ****All the above fosters a growing feeling of nationalism Demand for more modernization Greater Indian role in gov’t Movement away from tradition to more modern Call for adoption of Western Ways Fed up with second class standing in their own country Indians barred from top posts in the Indian Civil Service and were paid significantly—sometimes 20x less than a European ****All the above fosters a growing feeling of nationalism

Indian National Congress (1885) & Muslim League (1906) These groups were formed as a result of growing nationalism Early on they called for specific reforms By 1900’s they called for self-government Conflict over control would continue for many years to come!

Impact of Colonialism Negative Positive Britain held most of the political & economic power Railroad system allowed India to develop a modern economy & unified and connected regions Restriction on Indian owned industry (textiles) Modern roads, telephone lines, dams, bridges and irrigation canals=modernization Emphasis on cash crops caused: Loss of self-sufficiency for villagers Reduced food production--famines Sanitation & Public Health improved Increased missionaries and racism threatened traditional Indian life. Literacy increased due to the expansion of schools and colleges. British troops put an end to local warfare and cleared out bandits Impact of Colonialism