Section 25.4

 In 16OO’s the British East India Company obtained trading rights from the Mughal Empire.  As Mughal Power declined the Company expanded its influence.  India was home to many diverse cultures.  As Mughal Power crumbled India fragmented.  Indians were not able to unite against newcomers.  The British took advantage of this ferment by playing off rival princes against each other.  The British with superior weapons over powered local rulers  The main goal of the East India company was to make money, and leading officials often got rich

 British kept Indians from engaging in large scale manufacturing witch hurt the business class.  East India Company required Sepoy’s to serve in India or overseas, and a new law was created allowing Hindu widows to re-marry.  The Sepoy rebellion swept across northern and central India.  The British crushed the rebellion and brought it to an end.

 Brittan saw India both as a market and as source of raw material.  The British built railroads to trade with India  The British got better farm equipment making more food and a huge population increase causing famine.  British rule brought Peace and order to the countryside

 During the age of imperialism, Indians and British did not appreciate each other.  But most British people did not know all about the Indians  Also Indians did not know much about the British

 When the western-educated Indians emerged the wanted a democracy, equality, and the end of imperial rule.  In 1885 nationalist leaders organized the Indian national congress.  At first, Muslims and Hindus worked together for self-rule  More Indians demanded self-rule  Their goal was achieved in 1947 when they gained independence