The British in India (the Age of Imperialism)

Bellwork What is the most valuable object that you own? Why does it mean so much to you? Explain in detail. What is the most valuable object that you own? Why does it mean so much to you? Explain in detail.

“The Jewel in the Crown” India was considered the “jewel in the crown” of the British Empire. What do you think this meant? India was considered the “jewel in the crown” of the British Empire. What do you think this meant?

Before the British came: India had been ruled by the Mughal Empire, which began its conquest of India in 1526 by a descendant of Genghis Khan(“Mughal is the Persian word for “Mongol”) India had been ruled by the Mughal Empire, which began its conquest of India in 1526 by a descendant of Genghis Khan(“Mughal is the Persian word for “Mongol”) The Mughal emperors were Muslims, but rules for 200 years over more than one hundred million subjects, approximately 85% of whom were non-Muslims: principally Hindus, as well Sikhs, Jains and Christians. The Mughal emperors were Muslims, but rules for 200 years over more than one hundred million subjects, approximately 85% of whom were non-Muslims: principally Hindus, as well Sikhs, Jains and Christians. At their height, under Akbar, they were tolerant of other religions. Akbar even married into the families of his rivals: by the time he died, he had more than 300 wives, including many Hindu princesses and even 2 Christian women of Portuguese descent. At their height, under Akbar, they were tolerant of other religions. Akbar even married into the families of his rivals: by the time he died, he had more than 300 wives, including many Hindu princesses and even 2 Christian women of Portuguese descent. Due to his many alliances, Hindus fought for Akbar and his finance minister, military commander and his chief advisor were all Hindu. Due to his many alliances, Hindus fought for Akbar and his finance minister, military commander and his chief advisor were all Hindu. Later, however, Mughal rulers became increasingly oppressive. They reversed earlier policies of religious tolerance. Later, however, Mughal rulers became increasingly oppressive. They reversed earlier policies of religious tolerance.

Before the British came (cont’d) Aurangzeb caused such bitter anger, that Hindu clans banded together and rebelled against him; constant warfare bankrupted the country and hatred and divisions between religious groups made India easy prey for the divide and conquer strategy of the British. Aurangzeb caused such bitter anger, that Hindu clans banded together and rebelled against him; constant warfare bankrupted the country and hatred and divisions between religious groups made India easy prey for the divide and conquer strategy of the British.

The Company Raj Without parallel in world history, the British East India Company became a company that owned a nation. Without parallel in world history, the British East India Company became a company that owned a nation. Company’s encounters with foreign competitors eventually required it to assemble its own military and administrative departments. The company became an imperial power. Company’s encounters with foreign competitors eventually required it to assemble its own military and administrative departments. The company became an imperial power. The Company saw the power vacuum opened up by Mughal collapse. At its peak, the company’s army numbered roughly 320,000 soldiers – only 40,000 were European. The Company saw the power vacuum opened up by Mughal collapse. At its peak, the company’s army numbered roughly 320,000 soldiers – only 40,000 were European.

The Company Raj (cont’d) By mid-19 th century, the East India Company was the greatest power on the Indian subcontinent. They had the largest civil service and wielded the largest army. They governed a population of 200 million. By mid-19 th century, the East India Company was the greatest power on the Indian subcontinent. They had the largest civil service and wielded the largest army. They governed a population of 200 million. They effectively succeeded the Mughals as the next Indian Empire They effectively succeeded the Mughals as the next Indian Empire Company had 2 ways of ruling – direct rule by annexing territory, and indirect rule by making alliances with princely states who agreed to British overloadship, but ruled their own territory Company had 2 ways of ruling – direct rule by annexing territory, and indirect rule by making alliances with princely states who agreed to British overloadship, but ruled their own territory

The Company Raj (cont’d) As time went on, religious powers began to gain influence over Company policy; they sent in missionaries to try to convert the populace; they banned the practice of suttee, which was the first British interference in Hindu religious ritual and provoked broad resentment; they allowed Hindu widows to marry again (against Hindu law) and they extended education to women (which Muslims didn’t like) As time went on, religious powers began to gain influence over Company policy; they sent in missionaries to try to convert the populace; they banned the practice of suttee, which was the first British interference in Hindu religious ritual and provoked broad resentment; they allowed Hindu widows to marry again (against Hindu law) and they extended education to women (which Muslims didn’t like)

The Indian (Sepoy) Mutiny Called the Mutiny by the British, but Indian’s called it the First War of Independence (differing perspectives) Called the Mutiny by the British, but Indian’s called it the First War of Independence (differing perspectives) Sepoy: formal name of Indian military soldier in the service of an European superpower Sepoy: formal name of Indian military soldier in the service of an European superpower The introduction of the Enfield Rifle – soldier had to bite off the tip of the cartridge. Rumors said that the cartridges were greased with a mixture of cow and pig fat (defiled both Hindus and Muslims). They believed it was a plot to destroy their caste and force them to become Christians. The introduction of the Enfield Rifle – soldier had to bite off the tip of the cartridge. Rumors said that the cartridges were greased with a mixture of cow and pig fat (defiled both Hindus and Muslims). They believed it was a plot to destroy their caste and force them to become Christians.

The Indian (Sepoy) Mutiny (cont’d) Significance: First time Hindus and Muslims were able to work together – the British policy of divide and conquer failed.

The British Raj After the Mutiny, the Company was abolished and the British government took over direct control of India. In 1876, Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India. After the Mutiny, the Company was abolished and the British government took over direct control of India. In 1876, Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India. 2 sides of debate raged in England: Conservative Tories glorified hierarchy and believed in white racial superiority. Liberals believed that Indians, due to culture and history, were simply backward, and - with proper education – could someday be just like Englishmen 2 sides of debate raged in England: Conservative Tories glorified hierarchy and believed in white racial superiority. Liberals believed that Indians, due to culture and history, were simply backward, and - with proper education – could someday be just like Englishmen