The British Empire in India AP World History Unit 4

India in the 18th and early 19th Century

East India Company East India Company activity limited to coastal trading cities when the Mughal Empire was strong. In the mid-1700s, the Mughal Empire broke apart. East India Company leaders saw chance to take over Indian lands.

Keeping India in Chaos Manipulated rulers of Indian states. Suggested each needed British support to keep throne. Played rulers against each other. Chaos, chaos, chaos. Company’s army took over much of India. Claiming it had to restore order.

Changes in India East India Company made changes to Indian society Introduced new education system. English language. British also invited Christian missionaries to spread beliefs. Some began to believe the British were trying to destroy their society.

Changes in India Banning customs. Straining relations. Introduced British laws banning certain customs, such as sati. Practice of Hindu widows throwing selves on husbands’ funeral fires. Straining relations. Thought British wanted to eliminate Indian customs, especially Hinduism completely This created an increasing strain on relations between Indians and British.

The Sepoy Mutiny In 1857, strained relations exploded into rebellion. Sepoys were Indian soldiers who fought in the British army.

The Sepoy Mutiny Introduction of new type British rifle set off rebellion To load the rifle, soldier had to bite off the end of an ammunition cartridge greased with pork and beef fat. This offended Muslim and Hindu sepoys Muslims did not eat pork. Hindus did not eat beef.

Protest and Punishment during the Sepoy Mutiny Sepoys in Meerut refused to use cartridges. Thought that it was a plot to make them abandon Hinduism and Islam. Sepoys punished for protesting. In response, northern Indian sepoys rose up against British. Eventually gained control of Delhi.

Violence of the Sepoy Mutiny Violence of rebellion horrific. Both sides committed atrocities. Sepoys killed British officers, as well as women and children. Captured mutineers were strapped to cannons and shot. Villages were burned. Fighting continued two years.

Results of the Sepoy Mutiny British ended the rule of East India Company in 1858. British government ruled India directly. British moved away from some social regulations that angered many Indians. Distrust still continued between British and Indians.

India as a British Colony Considered the “jewel in the crown” of the British Empire. Created political and financial rewards, as well as British national pride. For Indians, British rule was a source of frustration and humiliation. Frustration gave rise to powerful feelings of nationalism. Westernization. Many British thought they were superior. Segregated neighborhoods and exclusive clubs. Westernized Indians. Prejudiced. Thought Indians incapable of governing themselves.

The Raj and the ICS Era of British rule in India often called British Raj. Hindi word meaning “rule”. Administration carried out by government agency. Indian Civil Service (ICS). Though ruling India, most ICS officials were British. ICS employed very few Indians. Many educated Indians frustrated at having no say in its own government.

Life under the British Raj Building Projects Built railroads, roads, and canals. By 1910, India had the fourth largest railroad network in the world. British invested in transportation to move troops. Helped sell British products.

Life under the British Raj Commerce India was a very important market for British manufactured goods. India was a source of raw materials. Especially cotton, tea, indigo, and jute. Taxes from Indian landowners paid for administration of India and the Indian army.

Life under the British Raj Impact of British Commerce British manufactured goods devastated India’s pre-existing textile industry. Had been major exporter. British closed factories to prevent competition. By the mid-1800s, India primary exported raw materials, not manufactured goods.

The Rise of Indian Nationalism Groups in India found British rule deeply disturbing. Indian elites and middle classes lacked opportunities. Indians had little power to influence decisions at higher levels of government.

India’s Nationalist Movement Nationalist movement did not take off until Indians saw themselves as having same rights as Europeans Idea first expressed by reformer Ram Mohun Roy in the 1820s Felt British violating Indian’s rights. Including free speech and religion

India’s Nationalist Movement Roy wrote texts and opened schools to spread nationalist ideas. Despite his efforts it took several decades for movement to activate. In 1885, the Indian National Congress was formed. This was the first nationalist group. Founded by English-speaking Indians. Initial requests from the Congress to the British were modest. Example was a request for more positions for Indians in the ICS and better representation on government councils.

India as a British Colony Bengal Nationalism turned radical when British announced plans to partition Bengal. Officials claimed breaking it into two provinces would make it easier to govern. Nationalists thought partition attempt was being done in order to break up Bengal’s Hindu population.

India as a British Colony Radicals in Congress Called for boycotting British goods. Lasted three years. Participants vowed to wear only Indian made clothing. Burned British clothing. Some militants attacked British officials. Were severely punished.

India as a British Colony Consequences British convinced to make concessions to Indian people. In the 1906, the Muslim League was formed to protect the interests of Indian Muslims. Indian National Congress and Muslim League begin to led the fight for independence.