Chapter Fourteen; Section Three British Rule in India Chapter Fourteen; Section Three

Essential Question What was the cause and effects of British imperialism within India?

Setting the Stage British economic interest in India began in the 1600’s, when the British East India Company set up trading posts throughout India. At first, India’s ruling Mughal Dynasty kept European traders under control. As the dynasty began to falter, Robert Clive led East India Company to a victory over the Indian forces. From that time until 1858, the East India Company was the leading power in India.

British Expand Control over India Until the beginning of the 19th century, the company ruled India with little interference from the British government. The company had its own army, led by British officers and staffed by Sepoys or Indian Soldiers.

Britain’s “Jewel in the Crown” India was a major supplier of raw materials for Britain. India’s 300 million people provided a large market for British made goods. It’s not surprising then, that the British considered India the brightest “jewel in the crown.” The most valuable of all of Britain’s colonies.

British Expand Control over India Britain produced raw materials for British manufacturing and to buy British goods. Indian competition with British goods was prohibited. India’s textile industry was basically put out of business by imported British textiles. Cheap cloth and ready made clothes from England flooded the Indian market and drove out local producers.

The Sepoy Mutiny During the 18th century, British power in India increased. There was a great deal of discontent among the Indians. Resisted Christianization. Resented the constant racism from the British. Economic problems increased

The Sepoy Mutiny Indians revolted against the British. Known as the Sepoy Mutiny or Great Rebellion. It was called the First War of Independence to the Indians

The Sepoy Mutiny In 1857, gossip spread among the Sepoys that cartridges of their new Enfield rifles were greased with beef and pork fat. To use the cartridges, solders had to bite off the ends. Both Hindus, who consider the cow sacred, and Muslims, who do not eat pork, were outraged by the news. The British handled the crisis poorly. Soldiers who disobeyed were jailed. The next day, May 10, 1857, the sepoys rebelled.

The Sepoy Mutiny The revolt spread, but was crushed within a year. British government sent troops to help. The Indians were outnumbered and rivalries between Muslims and Hindus hurt their cooperation. At Kanpur, Indians with swords and knives massacred 200 defenseless women and children. As a result of the Sepoy uprising, the British parliament transferred powers of the company to the British government.

Lasting Effects of the Mutiny In 1858, the British government took direct command of India. The part of India that was under direct British rule was called the Raj. The term Raj referred to British rule over India from 1757 to 1947. A cabinet minister in London directed policy, and a British governor-general in India carried out the government’s orders.

Lasting Effects of the Mutiny The Sepoy Mutiny fueled the racist attitudes of the British. “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)

Colonial Rule The British government ruled India directly through a British official known as a viceroy – a governor who rules as a representative of the monarch.

Colonial Rule: Positives Developed a modern economy. Third largest railroad network. Modern road network, telephone and telegraph lines, dams, bridges, irrigation canals. New school system. Trained children to work in the colonial administrative system and army. Sanitation and public health improved. Schools and colleges were founded and literacy increased.

Colonial Rule: Negatives British manufactured goods destroyed local industries. British persuaded farmers to switch from growing food to cotton. Food supplies could not keep up with the population. Between 1800 and 1900, 30 million Indians starved to death

Colonial Rule: Negatives British rule was degrading to the educated, upper class Indians. Top jobs were reserved for the British. British showed disrespect for Indian culture. They used the Taj Mahal as a place of weddings and parties, even chipping off pieces of it to take as souvenirs.

Indian Nationalist Movement The first Indian nationalists were upper class, English educated people who preferred reform over revolution. Slow pace of reform led to more extreme measures. A small group formed the Indian National Congress. It called to share in the governing process.

Indian Nationalist Movement Indians hated a system that made them second class citizens in their own country. They were banned from top posts in the Indian Civil Service. Those who managed to get middle level jobs were paid less than Europeans. A British engineer made nearly 20 times as much money as an Indian engineer.

An Indian Nationalist Movement A split between Hindu and Muslims plagued the Indian National Congress. Muslims began to call for a separate league to better represent the interests of India’s millions of Muslims. Ram Mohun Roy – “Father of Modern India”

An Indian Nationalist Movement In 1915, a young lawyer gave new life to the movement. Mohandas Ghandi was working at a law firm in South Africa and became aware of racial exploitation.