1. From Empire to Colony to the world’s largest Free Democracy
History of India
From Empire to Colony to the world’s largest Free Democracy

2. Mughal Empire
Descended from the Mongol Khans, Mughals took power in India in 1526.

3. East India Company
British E.I.C. arrived in India in early 17th century
Portugal already had trading colonies in Indian cities; content to “trade & raid”. No desires for territory.
Other European countries like France, Sweden, and the Netherlands were already actively trading with India.
By 1639 the East India Company had attained governmental rights in the Eastern port city of Madras (now Chennai). Thirty years later, in 1669, they came into possession of Bombay (now Mumbai), another important port on the West coast.
EIC founded the city of Calcutta (eastern India)
East India Company developed armies, naval fleets, administrators, & tax collectors.
Started producing their own currency and imposing their own laws in their trading outposts & cities.

4. E.I.C. takes Power
During the 1600’s, the authority of the Mughal rulers had weakened
B.E.I.C. became much more involved in the Bengali (N. India) economy and politics.
The Company's intent was trade, however their Power threatened Mughal rulers.
Insecurity of the Mughal rulers provoked an attack on the EIC in The governor of Bengal attacked the British;
Defeated by Robert Clive of the East India Company.
After defeating the Mughals, the EIC was granted the title of "diwan" (collector of revenue) in Bengal and nearby provinces, making the Company the de facto ruler of Bengal.
The company later extended its rule throughout India.

5. Sepoy Mutiny dethrones the EIC
Poor management damaged the EIC’s ability to govern India
1857 “Sepoy Mutiny” spread through part of the Army, included some peasants and Indian Nobles.
British Royal army intervened and crushed the rebellion.
British EIC was disbanded, Mughal ruler was replaced permanently with British governor ("Viceroy"); he reported to the Secretary of state for India, a member of Prime Minister's cabinet

6. On rebellion . . .
"We could subdue the mutiny of 1857, formidable as it was, because it spread through only a part of the army, because people did not actively sympathize with it, and because it was possible to find native Indian races who would fight on our side. But the moment a mutiny is but threatened, which shall be no mere mutiny, but the expression of a universal feeling of nationality, at that moment all hope is at an end, as all desire should be at an end, of our preserving our Empire." — Sir John Seeley (quoted by Tarling)

7. Rule of the British Crown
Gave Hindu Zamindars the status of landlords, even in Muslim dominant territories.
Zamindars were given the rights to collect tax revenue whether or not they had any knowledge of, or connections to, the countryside. Absentee landlords became commonplace and agriculture was designed to benefit the British and the landlords, not the peasants.
British favored Hindus over Muslims. A common complaint from Muslims might sound like this:
“The landlord is Hindu, the peasant Muslim. The money
lender is Hindu, the client is Muslim. The jailer is Hindu, the
Prisoner is Muslim. The magistrate is Hindu, the accused is
Muslim"

8. Rule of the British Crown
Britain saw its colonies as suppliers of raw materials for British industry and as consumers of British manufactured goods.
India became a source of cheap cotton for British textile mills
Britain then dumped its machine made cloth back into India, destroying India's domestic textile industries.
Eastern Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) was especially hard hit as cloth was one of its chief exports and the industry was ruined by British machine made cloth.

9. Rule of the British Crown
Third, Britain introduced Western religious and philosophical ideas, adopted a British legal code, and instituted a British secular education system with the intent of creating an educated Indian group imbued with British cultural values. This destroyed native religious education and was perceived as an attack on the Bengali religion and way of life.

10. Gandhi Indian, born a Hindu Educated & worked as a lawyer in England
Began protesting treatment of Indians in British South Africa in 19??
Led Indian Independence Movement
Famous for non-violent, non-cooperation; civil disobedience

11. World War I
British promised Indian’s increased self-rule if they fought alongside the British.
Indian soldiers fought alongside allied powers (British, French)
Led to the creation of the Indian National Congress in India

12. Indian National Congress
Intended to give Indians more “self rule”
Given very little power/control
Frustrated many Indians

13. Gandhi leads Rallies millions of Indians behind him Leads by example
Emphasizes non-violent, non-cooperation
Encourages Indians to weave their own cloth
Leads Salt March

14. WWII Indian soldiers again fought alongside British.
British economy & military was seriously damaged by WWII.
Unable to effectively govern colonies after War.
Contributed to Indian independence.

15. Gandhi’s followers are victorious
British agree to leave India in 1947
Plan a gradual turnover of power to Indian leaders
Gandhi
Jawaharlal Nehru
Muhammad Jinnah
Others

16. Jawarhal Nehru
Gandhi chooses Nehru (not himself) as the 1st Prime Minister of India
His daughter, Indira Gandhi later becomes Prime Minister; assassinated
Indira Gandhi’s son, Rajiv, became Prime Minister; assassinated

17. India vs. Pakistan = Hindu vs. Muslim
Muhammad Jinnah led the Muslim Indians
Muslim minority feared mistreatment from Hindu majority after British left
Against Gandhi’s wishes, Jinnah pushed to create Pakistan; a separate independent country for Muslims.
Caused rioting & violence between Hindus & Muslims in India