1. British India

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

3. 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 warning to British government
Queen Victoria’s government took direct control of the Raj in 1857

4. Sepoy Mutiny 1857

5. 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

6. 1st Indian National Congress 1885

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. Great partition of India and Pakistan 1947

15. Map of India Partition and religions of region

16. Video: Partition of India 0-13’20

17. Tragic Ending
Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremists in 1948

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