British India : Traders to Rulers The Crown Jewel

East India Company 1600s British entered Mughal India (Islamic Empire) as traders—economic interest Dutch east india company, French east india company, portugees

East India Company (EIC) EIC struggled at first, but after defeating the French and the decline (weakening) of the Mughal Empire allowed the company to become a dominant force in the region. They shipped over British soldiers and hired and trained native soldiers (Sepoys) to protect their interests. As the EIC grew in strength they started taking hundreds of kingdoms Alliances Protectorates Wars Portugees were so terrible they preferred British and the French who were more respectful of the Indian customs.

There was no india before the British… there were countless kingdoms ruled over by Mughal empire

Diversity India was diverse. 100s of languages and traditions Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Farsi (Zoroastrian), Christians, Jews, etc. “Divide and Rule” Encouraged competition and disunity. British pitted one kingdom after another by making alliances and protectorates

Battle of Plassey

Westernization Created roads, created army, police force etc Created the idea of “India” Legal codes Established roads, transportation, and communication Western education and reforms “Sati” – Widow Burning “Thagis” – organized murderers who practiced human sacrifice Infanticide Establishment of Universities There was no unified india. There were kingdoms controlled by empires. Indians today are very proud to say that they never invaded another country. This is true, because there was no india and the kingdoms that were in a place that we would call india today were too busy fighting themselves.

Sati

Thagis

British Rule After the loss of the American colonies, the British took great lengths to respected the native’s culture and traditions of their colonies. However, as they became more powerful they became more intolerant. Respect was replaced with inequality and mistreatment Natives became second class citizens and servants to the British rulers.

What kind of meat is not allowed to be eaten in Hinduism? What kind of meat is not allowed to be eaten in Islam?

Discontent (Unhappy) Remarriage Laws The Indians became servants Taxes Sepoys – Indian soldiers in service of the British They were forced to use rifle cartages that were made from pig and cow fat Forced to travel by sea, which Hindus feared it would jeopardize their caste.

Sepoy Mutiny (Rebellion) Meerut, 85 Sepoys were inprisoned because they refused to use the rifles. Angry Sepoys rose up against the British Officials, marched to Delhi, and hailed the Mughal Emperor as the ruler Incidents of mutinies and atrocities rose up all over India Four British people survived of 400 men, women, and children who were fleeing to Alluahbad British eventually ended the rebellion Executed every soldier and leader Burned, destroyed, and slaughtered villages British India Company is replaced with the Viceroy (highest position held by the british under the queen in india) British become the rulers of India Shah Bahadur reluctantly went along with it. War of India's independence! Heroes rose up from each parts of india Rani of Jansi Mengal Pentady. But sadly they were not organized as the british.

Rani of Jansi Mengel Pendey

What do you see in the picture? Pictures were taken in Lucknow, a stronghold for the rebels

Bahadur Shah II deposed and exiled The shah was exiled, and all of his sons were murdered in their palace by the British. Queen Victoria became the QUEEN OF ALL OF BRITISH INDIA

British become the rulers of India

Painful road to Self-Rule Nationalism in India Painful road to Self-Rule

WWI Indians participated in WWI – hoping it would lead to greater reforms at home No significant reforms were made Indians became increasingly unhappy with their rulers

Amritsar Massacre Large peaceful protesters were shot by the British Killed over 400 Wounded 1100 Women and children It upset the Indians even more

Growing Nationalism Indian National Congress mostly Hindu middle class with western education believed in a peaceful protest to gain more power to the Indians (Self-Rule) Independence of India Muslim League—Represented interest of the Muslims Muslims were afraid of Hindu Majority

Mohandas K. Gandhi Leader of the Indian National Congress Iconic nationalist hero of India He will unite Indians of different religion and classes to defy the British rule.

Mohandas K. Gandhi “Mahatma” (Great Soul) Organized Campaigns Nonviolence Ahimsa – “Non-harming” of all life Civil Disobedience Refusal to obey unjust rule Boycotting (refusal to buy) Equal rights : men, women, and caste Untouchables : lowest class in Hindu society

Civil Disobedience Salt was monopolized by the British Salt March It was illegal to take or sell salt without permission Salt March Gandhi and his followers made 240 mile march to the sea. Where he picked up lump of sea salt Other Indians followed Gandhi was arrested

Consequence Thousands of Indians were imprisoned, beaten, and killed Showed the world the brutality of British Rule Indians were gradually given more power