Imperialism in India

The Age of Imperialism: (The British hoped to make India the “ Jewel ” of its Imperial Crown) =

 The British East India Company (B.E.I.C.) was involved with trading with India as early as the 1600s.  It built trading posts and forts first along the coast, and later throughout the country to secure its business interests.

 As the power of the ruling Mughal dynasty declined, the B.E.I.C. expanded its influence and took advantage of India ’ s fragmentation by playing rival chiefs and rival ethnic groups off each other.

 Modern weaponry secured the British East India Company advancement. BEIC Agent Robert Clive almost by accident practically ruled all of India.

 As the company sought a profit, so missionaries sought converts.

 The British outlawed Sati (the practice whereby widows commit suicide by throwing themselves on their husband ’ s funeral pyre).

 In 1854 the Sepoys (Indian troops that served in the BEIC Army) Rebelled against British Rule.

Why did the Indians resent the British presence??  Indians were kept out of the highest posts in government  The Brits. nipped infant Indian Industry in the bud, to keep India dependent on Brit. goods.  The British colonialists were rich, and the vast majority of Indians were poor.  The Brits forced Indians to serve overseas (which was against Hindu teachings).  Indians were Anti-remarrying

 The “Tipping Point ” : Bullets were greased in cow and pig fat (cows were sacred to Hindus, and pigs were forbidden to Muslims)  Indian troops in the BEIC Army were told that they had to bite off the tips of cartridges which they refused to do and later revolted.

 -The British crushed the Rebellion with overwhelming force

Suppression of the rebellion vv

 In 1858 the British parliament formally ended the rule of the BEIC and put India directly under the control of the British crown.

 A British Viceroy would rule the country  India would be referred to as the “ Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire. ”  India ’ s raw materials would be ruthlessly exploited  Farmers could only grow Cash Crops that the British ordered, so many Indians lacked food.  the British did bring order and uniformity, and developed India ’ s infrastructure, however, it was at the price of being exploited.

 Indian Nationalism loomed on the Horizon.