BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN BRITAIN IN INDIA: CHAPTER 14 SECTION 3

In the beginning… 1757 o Robert Clive leads British East India Company in a decisive victory in India gaining power in the area

The British East India Company Who were they? An English company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but ended up trading with India and China Rule in India Ruled India for 100 years Had it’s own army: included SEPOYS (Indian soldiers)

Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown” o Name given to India because it was seen as the most valuable of Britain’s colonies Why valuable? o Major supplier of raw materials o Huge population of people lived there who the British could sell their goods to

Impact of Colonialism Positive o Building of railroad in India enabled the country to modernize o For example: schools founded and literacy increased Negative o Britain held most of the power in India as they put many restrictions on Indian businesses o Traditional Indian life was threatened

Social Class in India

The Sepoy Mutiny By 1850, Indian people were fed up with British rule in their country Indian people felt that: British were trying to convert them to Christianity British were very oppressive So…after the rumor about the bullets oiled up with beef and pork fat, the Sepoys revolted against the British

Video of Sepoy soldier eature=related eature=related

Did it work?? NO o Indians couldn’t unite because… 1. weak leadership 2. Hindus didn’t get along with the Muslims

Turning Point… As a result of Sepoy Mutiny, Britain’s gov’t took direct control of India Racist attitudes of British soldiers increased… “ It is this consciousness of the inherent superiority of the European which has won for us India. However well educated and clever a native may be, and however brave he may prove himself, I believe that no rank we can bestow on him would cause him to be considered an equal of the British officer.” Lord Kitchener, British commander in chief in India o Distrust between British and Indians increased

Ram Mohun Roy Modern thinking, well educated Indian o Indian reformist who called his countrymen to break away from arranged child marriages and the rigid caste system o This would free India from others ruling them

Nationalism in India Nationalist groups formed who fought for self – government Partition of Bengal Britain split province into 2 sections: (Muslim and Hindu) making it hard for Indians to unite for independence against the British…