1. India imperialism

2. Learning objective
TRACE IMPERIALISM IN INDIA AND ANALYZE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF IMPERIALISM

3. Let’s discuss
Looking at the photograph to the right, what do you see from the photograph?
What does this tell you about social classes in India?
This reflects the class system in India. Social classes determined the way of life in India. Upper-class men who served as officers were allowed to bring their wives and they attempted to re-create England in the home setting. The Caste System determined Indian occupations. Castes were divided and ever job was strictly regulated. The dominate position of the British afforded them more leisure time than the Indian enjoyed and they were only allowed to socialize with their own kind, which created further division within Indian society

4. CONTROL OVER INDIA Economic Interests – East India Company
Trading Post where power was regulated by Great Britain
Jewel in the Crown – Industrial Revolution turned Britain into world’s workshop
Market Potential: 300M people
Major supplier of raw materials
Most valuable of the British colonies
Restricted economy: G.B. prevented the Indian economy from operating on its own through no competition and policies that support producing raw materials and only buying from East Indian Company
India’s handloom textiles almost was put out of business because of cheap ready –made clothes from England

5. Impact of colonialism positives negatives
Created 3rd largest railroad network enabled India to develop a modern economy
Modern roads, Telephones, telegraphs, dams, bridges
Sanitation & public health improved
Schools/Colleges created
Put an end to local Warfare among competing local rulers
G.B. held much of the political & economic power
Emphasis on cash crops reduced food production resulted in loss of self- sufficiency
Hands off policy on religion & social customer, however Increased presence of missionaries & racial feelings threatened traditional Indian life

6. Sepoys: Indian Soldiers
Left image retrieved from
Right image retrieved from
Sepoys were Indian for soldiers
Sepoy Infantryman, 1819
Madras Cavalry of British India, 1845

7. Seboy Rebellion/Mutiny
Rise of feelings that G.B. were trying to convert them to Christianity
As economic problems increases so did the feeling of resentment & nationalism
Rumors started: Riffles greased with beef and cow oils.
Garrison jailed anyone who disobeyed & sepoys rebelled
One-year conflict – weak leadership & split between Hindus & Muslins kept from uniting
Turning Point: British government took direct command of India (colony) called the Raj
Raj Direct British rule

8. India’s response
Sepoy Rebellion- Put down and Britain takes direct control of India from , called Raj. India was now a colony.
India’s drive for self-rule:
Indian National Congress- This struggle lasts many decades, well into the 1900’s
Mahatma Gandhi used non-violent protest to gain India’s independence from Britain. Pacifist: Non-violence, never strike back. Inspired Dr. Martin Luther King