A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the

course of history. - M. Gandhi

The British in India

I. Beginnings of ImperialismA. British East India Co. controlled large areas of India for the purpose of trade

B. 1857 - Indian soldiers rebel against company rule in parts of “British India”

C. British government takes direct control after rebellion

Yellow = Hindu

Green = Muslim

Red = East India Co./British Control

II. Reasons for ControlA. New markets for British goods

1. Textiles (cloth) exported to India2. Cheap and in supply3. Destroys Indian weaving trade

B. Tea1. Cheaper to produce than in China2. Had direct control over the tea

market

III. British ControlA. Directly controls “British India” and indirectly controls the independent Indian States

B. Uses strategy of “Divide and Conquer”1. Favors to those who cooperate2. Harsh treatment for those who don’t3. Lets division between Muslim and Hindu continue

Indian “Sepoy” Soldier

C. Many British families went to India to live and workEX: Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book and Rikki Tiki Tavi

D. Active Rulers in India1. Built roads, bridges, and railroads2. Established factories, hospitals and

schools3. Improve Indian farming

E. Believed they were superior to Indians

F. Established western ideas of democracy and socialism

Assimilation - Process in which people give up their own culture and adopt another culture.

IV. Indian NationalismA. Movement for Indian self-rule begins in late 1800s

B. Two types of ideas for self-rule:1. Gradual independence with many

western ideas in Indian government2. Break all ties with Great Britain and

return to Hindu rule (scared Muslims in the country)

C. Promised more self-government after providing troops and money during WWI

IV. Gandhi and IndependenceA. Leader of Independence movement – seen as both political and spiritual leader

B. Emphasized non-violent resistance to the accepted order of British India

C. Led boycotts of British goods and refused to pay taxes to force the Britishto give in to their demands

V. IndependenceA. August of 1947 the states of India and Pakistan are created:

1. India – Hindu2. Pakistan – Muslim

B. Celebrations followed by massive violence between Hindus and Muslims

C. Gandhi assassinated in 1948 by a radical Hindu who hated his peaceful stance towards Muslims

VI. Effects of British RuleA. Increase in the modernization of India

B. Racial tensions between British, Hindus and Muslims

C. Eventual independence for India and Pakistan through protest, both peaceful and violent