British Imperialism in India

Brit. East India Co. est. trading posts in Bombay, Madras, & Calcutta 1757: Robert Clive led E. India Co. troops Indian forces allied w/Fr. (Battle of Plassey) East India Co. = leading power in India (1858)

I. Expansion of Brit. Authority E. India Co. = governed huge realm Strained co’s. resources Some officials = corrupt Brit. govt. = regulate activities late 1700s = Brit. govt. appointed the governor-general Company = ruled India w/little interference from govt.

Company had own army led by Brit. Officers Sepoys = Indian soldiers India = treasured for potential Raw materials Large market (300 mill.) “jewel in the crown” Brit. undermined Indian economy India had to produce raw materials & buy Brit. Goods Local producers driven out of business

Raw materials = plantation crops Brit. built RRs Transported raw materials & finished products Raw materials = plantation crops Tea, indigo, coffee, jute, cotton, opium International events sparked demand

Pros & Cons of Brit. Colonialism 1. Brits. had all political & economic power 2. Brits. undermined Indian industries 3. loss of self-sufficiency b/c of cash crops 4. focus on cash crops = food shortage, famines 5. Euro customs spread

PROS: 1. RRs united India 2. other infrastructure projects = MODERNITY 3. sanitation improved 4. education (literacy improved)

II. The Indian Revolt By 1850 = Brits controlled most of India Discontent was widespread 1857: sepoys discovered rifle cartridges were greased w/beef & pork fat Sepoys refused cartridges (jailed) May 10, 1857: Sepoys rebelled Sepoys captured Delhi (Sepoy Mutiny) Brit. govt. sent troops to put down revolt

Indians could not unite (split w/Hindus & Muslims) Hindus & Sikhs: did not want Muslim Mughal rule restored Brit. took over direct command of India (1858) The Raj = Brit. rule over India (1757-1947) Sepoy Mutiny fueled racist attitudes 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.

III. Nationalism Surfaces Indians hated Brit. rulers (made them second-class citizens) Indian National Congress (1885) Muslim League (1906) WANTED INDEPENDENCE