The British in India

Natural Resources British are interested in India for economic reasons Opium Tea Indigo Coffee () Cotton Jute

India’s Resources Industrial Revolution has made Britain the “world’s workshop” Interested in India because: 1. Raw Materials 2. 300 million people who can buy the goods Britain makes 3. Built an extensive Railroad network that could transport India’s raw materials to it’s ports. They could also transport the finished products from the ports throughout India. “Britain’s Jewel in the Crown”

British East India Trading Company Set up in 1600’s Governs India with little involvement from Britain Think: this means that India is being run by a company, not by a country Indirect control

British East India Trading Company Sepoys: Indian soldiers employed by the British East India Trading Company

“Pockets of Discontent” Indians are unhappy because: British control their land & resources Thought that the British were trying to convert them to Christianity Constant racism Economic problems due to British control of industry Economic problems due to emphasis on cash crops

Sepoy Mutiny/Rebellion Primary religions in India: Hindu (consider cows sacred) Muslim (do not eat pork) Rumors spread that the cartridges of the rifles used by the Sepoys are greased with cow & pig fat Sepoys refuse to accept cartridges

Sepoy Mutiny/Rebellion British response: Jailed soldiers who disobeyed Angers soldiers May 10, 1857 SEPOY REBELLION Marched to Delhi, joined by other soldiers Rebellion spreads Takes Britain more than a year to regain control

Sepoy Mutiny/Rebellion

After the Rebellion 1858 Raj: British government takes direct control of India Raj: Part of India under direct British control Refers to British rule in India from 1857 – 1947 Cabinet minister in London controls policy British governor in India carries out government orders Viceroy