11.4 Britain and India

Early Colonial Rule East India Company controls much of India w/little interference from British gvt. Use sepoys (Indian soldiers) as private army India = Britain’s “jewel in the crown” (most valuable colony) Laws req. India to buy British goods, produce raw materials for England, prevented competition from Indian industries

Sepoy Mutiny Indians experience economic problems & racism – leads to anger & feelings of nationalism Rumor spread that rifle cartridges were greased with beef & pork fat – must bite off end of cartridge to use Hindus consider cows sacred Muslims don’t eat pork Many sepoys = Hindu & Muslim

Sepoy Mutiny 85-90% of sepoys refuse to use new cartridges Disobedient sepoys were jailed Next day, sepoys march to Delhi Riots break out all over India English retaliate Thoughts of restoring Mughal Empire fail British gvt. take control over India – called Raj Example of English attitude & response - Amristar Massacre 1919

Nationalism in India Calls for reform Indians were second-class citizens in their own country Hindus and Muslims have rivalry – cannot unite; keeps English in power Indian National Congress & Muslim League = groups calling for self-government Eventually India = independent ; Muslims concerned about Hindu majority Muslims declare independence & form country of Pakistan