Imperialism British in India

Suez Canal

East India Company Early motives = economic Good example of economic imperialism British government was not directly involved Protection of property and trading rights led to political imperialism Company officials ruled in place of Muslim princes (nawabs)

Company encourage Christian missionaries to convert Indian people Social-cultural imperialism kept up pressure for British-style social reforms Indians to serve in the army & Indian princes ruled under the supervision of British overlords

A dual message was sent to Indians: Preserve your cultural heritage but also conform to British customs and beliefs Effects of industrialization Textile production was weakened

Sepoy Rebellion 1857 Result: British government decided only colonial imperialism would work in India New rifle that used animal fat covered cartridges (kept bullets dry) Muslim sepoys = feared from pigs, unclean Hindu sepoys = feared from cows, sacred

Rebellion Sepoys stages mutiny & proclaimed allegiance to Mughals Became widespread (peasants and elites) British government sent forces 1858 – order was restored Direct imperial rule was imposed

Queen Victoria established cabinet position just for India British Imperial Rule Queen Victoria established cabinet position just for India Viceroy sent Indian Civil Service Staffed completely English

Queen Victoria declared: All Indians had equal protection of the law and the freedom to practice their religions and social customs Rights of Indian princes to rule their territories was guaranteed, as long as they served their as her loyal subjects Their power was compromised by the large & efficient bureaucracy set up by the British to establish a strong centralized gov’t for India

Transformation of India Economic Massive British investment in the Indian infrastructure Cities, harbors, canals Railroads - largest system in Asia – 1870 – 5th grandest in the world Growth of cities – easier access Diseased travelled with people Cholera