The British Take over India Chapter 9 Sec 4

East India Company and Rebellion Early 1600, British East India Co won trading rights on the edge of the Mughal empire. As the empire fell, the companies influence grew and by the 1800’s the BEI ruled 3/5th of India. Exploiting Indian Diversity British were able to take control by exploiting the diversity. Because of the Mughal empire, the variety of cultures fragmented the nation. Indians with different traditions and languages were not able to stand up to the BEI co.

Implementing British Policies The BEI’s main goal was to make money. But they also improved roads, preserved peace and reduce banditry (thieves). The government also introduced Western education and legal procedures. Christianity was pushed and so was the end of the caste system and slavery. One law banned Sati, a Hindu tradition of a widow throwing herself on her husbands funeral fire.

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In the 1850’s the BEI made several unpopular decisions. Growing Discontent In the 1850’s the BEI made several unpopular decisions. It required Sepoys (Indian Soldiers)into British military service. Sending them any where throughout the world. Which was against the Hindu religion. In 1857 The British military issued riffles to sepoys, and they were supposed to bite the tips off of cartridges before loading them into the gun. (which was greased in pig and cow fat) This was against Hindu and Muslim religions. When the soldiers refused to load their guns, they were sent home without pay The BEI also passed a law allowing widows to remarry.

Rebellion Aftermath Angry Sepoys rose up against the British, and the rebellion swept across northern and central India. Some Sepoy regiments went to the last Mughal ruler and declared them their leader. In some areas the Sepoys brutally massacred British men, women and children. But eventually the British rallied and crushed the revolt, taking revenge and torching villages and slaughtering thousands of unarmed Indians. After, the British government ended the BEI co rule , sending British Representatives, taxation to pay for the occupation and other reforms.

Impact of British Colonial Rule 1858, Britain set up colonial rule in India, called the British Raj. A viceroy governed India in the name of the queen, and the rest of the positions were held by Indians. India was brought into the British economy and also modernization with western technology and culture. An Unequal Partnership India was a source of market and raw materials.’ Britain build roads, a rail network, and a telegraph system India’s once large hand weaving industry fell with new machine made products. Deforestation occurred when land was needed for the farming of cash crops.

Population Growth and Famine The British introduced medical improvements and new farming methods. Also better healthcare and increased food production led to a population boom. The rising population numbers strained food supply, by the 1800’s a terrible famine swept across India. Benefits of British Rule It did bring increased peace and order. British revised legal system to promote justice for Indians regardless of caste. RR helped people move around the country The wealthy sent son’s to British schools. Indian land owners and royalty still owned land and grew rich from cash cops

Different Views on Culture Some educated Indian’s were impressed by British power and technology. These upper class Indians learned English and adopted Western Ways, and left Hindu and Muslim traditions Indian Attitudes Ram Mohun Roy: was a scholar and knew Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, as well as English, Greek and Latin. He felt that India could learn from the west He was a founder of the Hindu College in Calcutta Although he valued Western Education, he also wanted to reform traditional Indian culture. He condemned the caste system, child marriage, sati and Purdah (isolation of women in separate quarters Some refer to him as the founder of Indian Nationalism

People in Britain disagreed about India Western Attitudes People in Britain disagreed about India Some felt that India was a symbol of Theology and Philosophy and respected their culture. Some dismissed their achievement and dismissed their culture with contempt.