British Rule in India

The Sepoy Mutiny British Colonial India in the early 1800’s was administered not by the government but by the British East India Company. In 1857 Indians in the Sepoy army who were hired to protect the companies interests revolted because of a rumor the they were issued bullets greased with animal fat. That was a violation of their religious believes and they refused to load their rifles. When the men where arrested other soldiers when on a rampage and killed 50 Europeans including men, woman and children. The revolt quickly spread until the British reinforced with fresh troops and loyal Indian soldier finally crushed the rebellion. Conflict between the Muslim and Hindu soldiers made organization difficult for the Indian rebels. Atrocities were horrible on both sides. At Kanpur Indians armed with knives and swords slaughtered 200 defenseless woman and children and the British exacted a terrible revenge brutally executing the Indians including many that probably did not participate in the massacre. Following this rebellion the Crown took direct control of India taking it away from the British East India Company declaring Victoria the “Empress of India”.

Imperial India The British Imperial rule of India was directed by a Viceroy or governor appointed to rule as a representative of the British monarch British officials governed 300 million Indians.

Benefits of British Rule Brought order and stability to a nation that had been badly divided by civil war and conflict. Established relatively honest and efficient government. Established a new school system. Only focused on the elite and over 90% of the population remained illiterate. Railroads, telegraph, telephone and postal service were introduced in India very soon after they were established in England greatly assisting the nation in modernization and industrialization. Established values of democratic rule, freedom etc. in the educated Indian middle and upper classes.

Costs of British Rule Wealth remained almost exclusively in the hands of the Indian elite and the British colonials. The vast majority of Indians remained in poverty. British policies ensured that local industries were destroyed by cheap manufactured goods imported from Britain destroying much of Indians domestic production and opportunities for advancement. Corrupt local officials over taxed the people causing them to loose their land and be left destitute. British policies encouraging the production of cash crops like cotton lead to the under production of food and mass starvation. Finally the colonial system was at it’s heart, racist and degrading to the Indian people. They were relegated to the status of second class citizens in their own nation. Even the middle class elites were only allowed to hold certain job and housing. The British disrespected the Indian culture and heritage.

Indian Nationalism Most leaders of the movement were English educated and upper class. Many were trained in British law and were civil servants. At first they attempted non-violent reform over revolution but many became impatient with the slow progress. INC Indian National Congress was created to push for reform and an increased role for Indians in government. They did not initially seek complete independence. Differences between Muslims and Hindus made progress difficult. Enter young Mohandas Gandhi. He was a British educated lawyer. He became a leader of the independence movement and focused on nonviolent resistance.