British India

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

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

Sepoy Mutiny 1857

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

1st Indian National Congress 1885

Mohandas Gandhi Indian middle class background Appealed to both Western-educated elites 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

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

WWI Indian contribution of troops to the British army during WWI increased demands for more autonomy in recognition of their sacrifices Over one million Indian troops served overseas, of whom 62,000 died and another 67,000 were wounded Some concessions made to Indian demands: Government of India Act 1919 expanded participation of Indians in the government of India

Gandhi and Salt March 1930 protesting British monopoly of salt Video: Gandhi Clip on the Salt March

Steps to India’s Independence pre WWII and during WWII London signed the Government of India Act of 1935 Gave larger political autonomy to provinces of British India  introduced direct elections, thus increasing the franchise from 7 million to 35 million people 1942 Congress Party launched “Quit India” campaign Demanded end of British rule in India Gandhi’s Do or Die Quit India speech All-India Congress Committee launched mass protest Demanded orderly British withdrawal Leaders arrested sporadic violence erupted

On the Road to Independence Postwar period, negotiations resumed UK accepted principle of independence Wanted guarantees that country would remain unified and minority (Muslim) rights protected Bloodbath between Hindus and Muslims August 1946 Great Killing of Calcutta 5,000 deaths

Victory at Last but with a bitter taste British granted India full independence in 1947 with partition Territory divided into 2 nations: India and Pakistan (East and West) Nehru (Hindu) argued against partition; Jinnah (Muslim) argued in favor of partition Extreme violence between communities (300,000 to 1 million deaths, 15 million people migrated)

Great partition of India and Pakistan 1947

Map of India Partition and religions of region

Video: Partition of India 0-13’20

Tragic Ending Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremists in 1948

Jawharlal Nehru 1929 became president of Congress Party Fought for total Indian independence Became Prime Minister of India until his death in 1964