Introduction & Imperialism in India

Country Profile Full name: Republic of India Population: 1.2 billion (UN, 2010) Capital: New Delhi Most-populated city: Mumbai (Bombay) Area: 1.2 million sq miles, excluding Indian-administered Kashmir (38,830 sq miles) Major languages: Hindi, English and at least 16 other official languages Major religions: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 68 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Indian Rupee = .0195 dollar; 1 U.S. dollar = 51.2 Indian Rupees Main exports: Agricultural products, textile goods, gems and jewelry, software services and technology, engineering goods, chemicals, leather products GNI per capita: US $1,340 (World Bank, 2010)

Forms of Imperialism in Asia: Imperialism = the process of one people ruling or controlling the other Colony- a territory governed by a foreign power Protectorate- territory that has its own government but is controlled by a foreign power Sphere of Influence- territory in which a country claims exclusive political and economic control

What was the British East India Company? Created to control trade between Britain, India and East Asia Started in 1600- individual investors created a trading company by putting up money for travel expenses in exchange for profits made from goods bought in India and then sold in Europe. The company negotiated with the Mughal Empire on behalf of the company AND the British Monarchy

From Trading Company to Ruling Power Battle of Plassey (1756-1757)- The British East India Company negotiated with the military leaders fighting in Bengal to gain exclusive rights. British Parliament passed the Regulating Act of 1773- giving military aid to the company in exchange for more control over its actions (& money) Mughal Empire traditionally ruled using landlords. Local authorities sent representatives to Delhi but maintained control back home- BEIC just picked one landlord off at a time

Early 1800’s 1858

To understand the impact that the British had in India you first must understand a little bit about Indian culture before imperialism. The Caste System BBC Clip

Cultural Impact of the British East India Company Introduced New Educational System “Seeking Western Education” Reading and Questions Education in India today Outlawed the ancient practice of Sati YouTube Clip Allowed Christian Missionaries to Settle throughout the country – onset of religious tension

Sepoy Mutiny Sepoy were Indian soldiers who fought for the British In 1857 the British unveiled new rifles that required the Hindu and Muslim Sepoy soldiers to bite off the ammunition cartridge that was greased with fat from cows and pigs. Brutal fighting continued for 2 years. The British crown took over rule of India directly once they crushed the uprising

The Raj = British Rule in India Indian Civil Service (ICS)- mostly comprised of British, leaving educated Indians frustrated. British feelings of superiority Created 3rd largest railroad system in the world To move soldiers To move goods Transitioned the economy from one that exported manufactured goods, such as textiles, to one that only exported raw materials

The Rise of Indian Nationalism Indian National Congress- 1885- founded by well educated, English speaking Hindu Indians who wanted a stronger say in national politics Bengal Partition- Britain proposed that splitting the Bengal province would make it easier to control- INC saw it as a ploy to separate Hindus Swadeshi- Indians refused to buy British products, only purchasing Indian made goods- this form of peaceful protest worked Muslim League- 1906- created out of fear surrounding the Bengal Partition plan and Hindu Indian’s growing political power and unity *Credit and Debt Reading