Imperialism in India

East India Company Britain gave the power to control India to the British East India Company – Bring on the TEA! How did the British exploit Indian diversity? Many people, many cultures, and many languages As the Mughal power declined, the British pitted the rival princes against one another

East India Company Continued… 2. What were the British policies? * Main goal = make money (did improve some roads, preserve peace, and reduce banditry) * Introduced western education and legal procedures * Missionaries tried to covert Indians to Christianity * Pressed for social change (end slavery and the caste system and to improve the position of women)

East India Company and the Sepoy Rebellion Causes of Discontent Sepoys = Indian soldiers Required Sepoys to serve anywhere Passed a law to allow Hindu widows to remarry (Many believed this to be a Christian conspiracy to undermine their beliefs) The Final Straw: Animal fat on rifle cartridges (cows = sacred to Hindus and pork = forbidden to Muslims)

The Sepoy Rebellion Rebellion swept across northern and central India. The sepoys brutally massacred British men, women, and children. The British rallied and crushed the revolt --- then, they took terrible revenge by torching villages and slaughtering thousands

The Sepoy Rebellion Results The rebellion left a bitter legacy of fear, hatred, and mistrust on both sides Ultimate end – In 1858 the East India Company was out, and the British would rule India directly under the crown. This move would slow some resistance, but Britain continued to develop India for its own benefit.

British Colonial Rule What did the viceroy do? Why was India considered the “brightest jewel” in the crown of their empire?

An Unequal Partnership India was seen as a market and as a source of raw materials Built railroads, roads, and the telegraph They were flooded with inexpensive, machine-made textiles, ruining India’s once-prosperous hand-weaving industry Transformed agriculture – nomadic herders cash crop farmers (cotton) Massive deforestation

Population Growth and Famine Medical improvements + new farming methods = population boom Traditional farming lost out to cash crops, and the food supply couldn’t keep up with the population growth In the late 1800s, over 30 million Indians starved to death (massive famine)

Benefits of British Rule Peace and order to the countryside Revised legal system Railroads, telegraph, and postal system (transportation and communication increased) Greater contact helped to bridge the regional differences and opened the way for a sense of nationalism Upper class Indians benefitted from the British policies  $ $ $

Indian Attitudes Some Indians (mostly upper-class) saw the benefits and were impressed by British power and technology They urged India to follow the western model of progress – learned English and adopted western ways Others believed that the way to change was through their own Hindu or Muslim cultures Ram Mohun Roy – combined the best of both worlds (The founder of Indian nationalism)

Western Attitudes The British felt differently about the Indians Some admired Indian theology and philosophy They respected their ancient heritage Some writers/philosophers borrowed from the teachings of Hinduism/Buddhism However, most were ignorant of Indian achievements and dismissed Indian culture with contempt

Indian Nationalism The western education of democracy and equality taught many educated Indians to dream big and plan They dreamed of ending imperial rule

Indian Nationalism Indian National Congress 1885 – members were mostly professionals and business leaders who believed in peaceful protest to gain their ends They called for greater democracy (more power to the Indians) Looked forward to eventual self-rule but supported western-style modernization

Indian Nationalism cont’d. Muslim League 1906 – formed to pursue the goals of the Muslims in India At first, Hindus and Muslims worked together, BUT Hindus outnumbered Muslims, and the Muslims feared that a Hindu-run government would oppress Muslims Their major goal was to create a separate Muslim state

Looking Ahead By the early 1900s, protests and resistance to British rule increased Some pushed to restore Indian languages and cultures Many started to push for Indian independence 1915 – Gandhi returns from South Africa and helps the Indian Independence Movement India will finally get independence in 1947 – After WWII

Looking Ahead Cont’d. Indian independence is not as beautiful as it may seem… With the Indian Independence Act of 1947 came a division of India into India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim) This division would cause tension and wars over land disputes and January 30, 1948 Gandhi was assassinated