British Imperialism in India The “Jewel in the Crown”

“Isms” of India  Review the basic beliefs of the religions and philosophies of India –Hinduism on Page –Islam on page –The Chart of Comparison of Basic Beliefs on page 714 REMEMBER PEOPLE’S ACTIONS ARE SHAPED BY THEIR BASIC BELIEFS.

Caste System: “Class” System  Brahmins-Priests, scholars, philosophers  Kshatriyas-warriors, rulers, defense & adminstrators  Vaishyas-Merchants, traders, farmers  Shudras-laborers, servants Below the Caste system  Pariahs-”Untouchables” menial laborers, deal with the dead, the latrines, etc.

The British East India Trading Company  CAUSE: Through 1600s BEI set up trading posts at Bombay, Madras, & Calcutta, but the Mughal (Muslim)Dynasty kept European traders under control. –By 1707 Mughal Empire was collapsing. One by one the maharajahs broke away. –In 1757 Robert Clive & the company’s private troops (sepoys) defeated the Indian fortress at the Battle of Plassey.  EFFECT: BEI gains control of India.

Building the Infrastructure  CAUSE: Br build a railroad network throughout India  EFFECT: –RRs transport raw product from the interior to the ports and manufactured goods from the coast to the interior. –India became more profitable for Br the “jewel in their crown.” –India developed a modern economy and becomes geographically united.

Cycle of Poverty  CAUSE: Br restricted Indian owned industries such as cotton textiles and reduced food production in order to plant more cash crops.  EFFECT: Villagers are no longer self- sufficient. Food production declines and famine sets in.

The Indians Rebel: Sepoy Mutiny  CAUSE:By 1850 Br control most of India. In 1857 the sepoys (Indian troops fighting for the Br, both Hindus & Muslims) mutiny and uprisings spread over much of India.  EFFECTS: –Br. Gov’t assumes DIRECT control of India called the RAJ from l857 to –Racism & mutual distrust intensifies.

Indian National Movements  CAUSE: Reformers (Rom Mohun Roy)called for India to modernize and change some cultural and religious practices. Nationalistic feelings grow. Indians began to resent discrimination by the British.  EFFECT: Hindus form the Indian National Congress in 1855 and the Muslims form the Muslim League in Both eventually call for self-government.

The Partition of Bengal  CAUSE: 1905 the Br RAJ partitions Bengal (the province acquired from France in 1763) into Hindu and Muslim sections.  EFFECT: As acts of terrorism broke out, the Br were forced to divide the province in a different way in order to avoid open rebellion.

Why is India the “jewel in the British crown”? Pair share and then report