Aim: Trace Early Nationalist Movements in India

The Sepoy Mutiny 1850: The British controlled most of the Indian subcontinent Many pockets of discontent Indian people also resented the constant racism that the British expressed toward them Feelings of resentment & nationalism 1857, gossip spread among the Sepoys that cartridges of their rifles were greased with beef & pork fat To use cartridge, soldiers had to bite off ends Both Hindus & Muslims were outraged Hindus see cow as sacred & Muslims don’t eat pork 85 of 90 Sepoys refused cartridges Soldiers jailed by British May 10, 1857: Sepoys rebelled Captured city of Delhi & uprising spread 2

Turning Point in India’s History The mutiny marked a turning point in Indian history 1858: the British government took direct command of India Term Raj refers to British rule after India came under the British crown during reign of Queen Victoria The Sepoy Mutiny fueled the racist attitudes of the British Mutiny increased distrust between the British & the Indians 3

Nationalism Surfaces in India Early 1800’s: some Indians began demanding more modernization and a greater role in governing themselves Nationalist feelings started to surface in India Indians hated a system that made them second class citizens in their own country Barred from top posts in Indian Civil Service Those who got middle-level jobs were paid less than Europeans Growing nationalism led to the founding of two nationalist groups The Indian National Congress (1885) Muslim League (1906) By 1906, they were calling for self-governing 4