A2 Historical enquiry: India and the British Empire,

The origins of the British empire in India Commerce, Control, ‘Civilisation’

India: the land and people The Indian subcontinent covers a landmass equivalent to Europe (excluding Russia) or about half the USA Distinct geographical areas, diverse languages and religious sensitivities and tensions Regional rulers of India known as the Princes (e.g. Hindu Nawabs). Collaboration with these local rulers and elites was important for British trade in India

India: the land and people 3 main religions: Hinduism – basis of sub continental society and one of the oldest religions in the world. Polytheistic and highly tolerant. Caste membership defined by birth, oppression of the lowest group, the Untouchables, encouraged some to convert to Islam. Important to note the cow is a sacred animal to Hindus Islam – Mughal dynasty in north- western India established Islam firmly in the subcontinent. One of the most brilliant civilisations in history. From early 1700s, Mughal power began to decline Sikhism – Fusion of Hinduism and Islam. Amritsar declared as the Sikh holy city after the building of the Golden Temple. Later Sikh leaders developed distinctive identity with a militant attitude and military discipline

In Asia, empire started with competition for trade - commerce

Britain looks east … 1600 – East India Company was formed – privately funded but crown granted monopoly of trade in East Indies Wanted to trade directly with the Spice Islands (now Indonesia) cutting out middlemen Although the BEIC won concessions from the Portuguese EIC, allowing it to set up factories i.e. trading posts in India, the Dutch in the East Indies proved more obstinate … So the BEIC turned its attention to India instead

A foothold in India India was ruled by the great Mughal emperors They allowed the BEIC to establish trading posts on the western and eastern coasts By , the BEIC exported £155,000 worth of manufactured goods and £410,000 of silver bullion and imported £860,000 worth of Indian goods, mostly textiles The BEIC had fortified factories e.g. Fort St George at Madras, but.... its directors insisted that the BEIC had no territorial or political ambitions =related Ferguson Why Britain 2/5 explains http:// =related

The 18 th century – factors in expansion and control British and Dutch unified under William III’s rule, 1688 Decline of the Mughal empire; opened a power vacuum within India Intense rivalry with French; part of world-wide power struggle with France Ferguson; Why Britain 3/5http:// en Ferguson; Why Britain 4/5 (up to 1min) en British able and willing to invest in expansion Role of Robert Clive as entrepreneur and Warren Hastings as an ‘orientalist’ Schama: The Wrong Empire (start at 11min15) Schama: The Wrong Empire (up to 7mins35)

The British government intervenes jXAUx13M&NR=1 – Ferguson: Why Britain? 5/5 poverty in India, impeachment, government control (49s – 6min25) jXAUx13M&NR=1 Britain were allowed in by the Mughals but when their power declined, rivalry between Britain and France for who will take control next Britain take political control (reluctantly?) in order to protect their trade interests and their profits

Explain the development of British rule in India up to 1785 Desire for direct trade with Spice Islands Dutch rivalry prompts new focus; India Factories especially Fort St George Development of financial systems Rivalry with France Naval expansion Decline of Mughals Defeat of France Control of taxation and other aspects of rule Expansion of Indian Army ‘corruption’ Beginning of crown control Either structure your explanation around key factors/developments OR choose a main factor and compare it with others in your explanation