British in India

East India Company Joint-stock company Cotton, tea, opium, silk, indigo dye Controlled large parts of India 1757 – 1858 Special relationship with British government Gave it a monopoly Fought with other countries – wanted permanent ports in India

Treaty with Jahangir 1615 – arranged with Emperor Jahangir (Akbar’s son) for permanent trading posts Sarat, Madras, Calcutta However, things were not always so peaceful…

Sir Robert Clive Born in Shropshire, England Expelled from 3 schools However, excellent soldier Largely credited with having established British supremacy in India

Clive goes to India… India had become divided after Aurangzeb’s death Black Hole of Calcutta Alleged 123 out of 146 died Battle of Plassey Clive defeats Mughal-led army

To the victor goes the spoils East India Company receives 2.5 million pounds and the power to tax Clive becomes Governor of Bengal Clive given 30,000 pounds Clive tries to steal as much local wealth as possible – eventually gets put on trial: “"A great prince was dependent on my pleasure, an opulent city lay at my mercy; its richest bankers bid against each other for my smiles; I walked through vaults which were thrown open to me alone, piled on either hand with gold and jewels! Mr. Chairman, at this moment I stand astonished at my own moderation”- Clive at his impeachment trial

Bengal Famine 1770 1772 – Company established capital in Calcutta and becomes directly involved in governance Famine estimated to have killed 1/3 of the population – about 10-15 million people Increased taxes by 3-4 times Food brought out of the country Also enacted policies to prevent reserve supplies

Not all bad… Railroads Universities Cities Democracy English Language

Aftermath 1858 – Company rule handed over to Britain – India becomes part of British empire 1916 – Gandhi leads struggle for independence 1947 – independence granted Partition (divided) India and Pakistan 250,000 – 500,00 deaths