British Rule in India Chapter 6 Section 3

Objectives: By the end of the lesson, you should be able to: 1) Describe the reasons for conflict between British and Indian people 2) Explain the causes of the Sepoy Mutiny 3) Describe the Benefits and the Costs of British rule in India

A. The Sepoy Mutiny or 1 st War for Independence In the 1700s, India was ruled by the British East India Co. Company was actively involved in all Indian affairs Had its own soldiers and forts Also hired Indian soldiers called Sepoys 1857, a revolt broke out against the British

Sepoys were both Hindu and Muslim British greased their bullets with cow and pig fat The sepoys refused to use the bullets and were arrested They then went on a rampage killing 50 European men, women, and children Revolt spread across India At Kanpur, Indians armed w/ swords and knives murdered 200 women and children Revolt was defeated Queen Victoria of Britain placed India directly under British control Queen Victoria called herself the Empress of India

B. Colonial Rule British gov’t ruled India through a British Viceroy  Governor that was a representative of the Queen 3500 British officials worked for the viceroy British ruled about 300 million Indians 1. Benefits of British Rule 1) Brought order and stability to India 2) New school systems set up, though it only served the elite

3) Railroads, telegraph, and postal service brought to India 2. Costs of British Rule 1) British entrepreneurs ran Indians out of business 2) Zamindars, or local tax collectors overcharged citizens 3) British encouraged farmers to grow cotton instead of food  Led to food shortages in India 4) British rule was degrading  British had no respect for Indian culture

C. The Indian Nationalist Movement Eventually, Indians begin to want independence 1885, they form the Indian National Congress  They wanted a share in governing India  INC was divided btwn Hindu interests and Muslim interests Mohandas Ghandi  Became an active leader in the Indian Independence movement  Ghandi used non-violent forms of protest  Ultimatley, Ghandi’s movement would win Indian independence