British Imperialism in IndiaBritish Imperialism in India

““The sun never sets on the The sun never sets on the British Empire”British Empire”

http://www.friesian.com/british.htm

John Bull as Octopus of Imperialism John Bull as Octopus of Imperialism (1888)(1888)

India: 18c-early 19cIndia: 18c-early 19c India: 18c-early 19cIndia: 18c-early 19c

Mughal Empire was Mughal Empire was collapsing…collapsing…

Who led the British East India Co. in a Who led the British East India Co. in a victory to become the leading power victory to become the leading power in India?in India?

1757 – Robert Clive led 1757 – Robert Clive led British victory British victory at the Battle of Plasseyat the Battle of Plassey

The British Come to IndiaThe British Come to India• How did the East India Co. rule India?How did the East India Co. rule India?

Little interference from British gov’t – had Little interference from British gov’t – had own armyown army

• British people came to India for British people came to India for excitement, money, and to improve their excitement, money, and to improve their statusstatus

• Ran businesses, became officials, served Ran businesses, became officials, served as missionaries, etc.as missionaries, etc.

““It was exciting going to India, a new It was exciting going to India, a new life. There wasn't much doing in life. There wasn't much doing in England then. We were going from a England then. We were going from a rather dull career in England to rather dull career in England to something exciting in India.”something exciting in India.”

~ Colonel C.A.K. Innes-Wilson, Royal Engineers officer ~ Colonel C.A.K. Innes-Wilson, Royal Engineers officer who joined the Survey of India (which mapped the who joined the Survey of India (which mapped the subcontinent); later first Surveyor General of Pakistansubcontinent); later first Surveyor General of Pakistan

Who were sepoys?Who were sepoys?

Indian soldiers in the army of the East Indian soldiers in the army of the East India Co.India Co.

Led by British army officersLed by British army officers

The sepoy army was “ a delicate and The sepoy army was “ a delicate and dangerous machine, which a little dangerous machine, which a little

mismanagement may easily turn against us” mismanagement may easily turn against us” ~governor of Bombay ~governor of Bombay

British Soldiers in India, British Soldiers in India, 1830s 1830s

Governing IndiaGoverning India• Indian Civil Service (ICS) provided Indian Civil Service (ICS) provided

men to govern Indiamen to govern India– Graduates of British universities who Graduates of British universities who

passed exams & interviews worked as passed exams & interviews worked as district officersdistrict officers

• Forest Service, Forest Service, Education Education Service, Survey Service, Survey of India, of India, Political ServiPolitical Servicece

““The Sun Never Sets on the The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”British Empire”

Why was India the “jewel in the crown”?Why was India the “jewel in the crown”?

Supplied raw materialsSupplied raw materials

Large potential market for goodsLarge potential market for goods

How did the British prevent the Indian How did the British prevent the Indian economy from operating on its own?economy from operating on its own?

Had to produce materials for Britain & Had to produce materials for Britain & buy British goodsbuy British goods

Prohibited Indian competition w/British Prohibited Indian competition w/British goodsgoods

What types of goods, crops, and materials What types of goods, crops, and materials came from India?came from India?

Tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, jute, opiumTea, indigo, coffee, cotton, jute, opium

Railroads were essential Railroads were essential

Trade of Indian goods Trade of Indian goods related to international related to international events events

British Opium Warehouse in British Opium Warehouse in

Patna, India Patna, India

Selling Patna Selling Patna Opium in ChinaOpium in China

What were the negatives of British What were the negatives of British colonialism for India?colonialism for India?Restrictions on Indian-owned Restrictions on Indian-owned industriesindustriesReduced food production due to cash-Reduced food production due to cash-

crop plantationscrop plantationsMissionaries & British officials Missionaries & British officials threatened Indian traditions and threatened Indian traditions and cultureculture

What were the positives of British What were the positives of British colonialism for India?colonialism for India?World’s 3World’s 3rdrd largest railroad network – largest railroad network – enabled modern economy & unityenabled modern economy & unityModernized India Modernized India Sanitation & public health improvedSanitation & public health improvedSchools founded, literacy increasedSchools founded, literacy increasedPut end to local warfarePut end to local warfare

Darjeeling Railroad, Darjeeling Railroad, 1880s1880s

What caused the Sepoy Mutiny?What caused the Sepoy Mutiny?Rifle cartridges greased w/beef & pork Rifle cartridges greased w/beef & pork – – against Hindu religious beliefsagainst Hindu religious beliefsSepoys who refused to accept Sepoys who refused to accept cartridges cartridges were jailedwere jailedSepoys rebelled by marching to Delhi Sepoys rebelled by marching to Delhi & & capturing the citycapturing the cityRebellion Rebellion

spreadspread

Areas of the Sepoy Areas of the Sepoy Mutiny, Mutiny,

18571857

Why were the Indians not able to defeat Why were the Indians not able to defeat the British?the British?

Weak leadershipWeak leadership

Splits between Hindus & MuslimsSplits between Hindus & Muslims

Sikhs still loyal to BritishSikhs still loyal to British

What happened as a result of the What happened as a result of the mutiny?mutiny?

Turning point – Britain took direct Turning point – Britain took direct command of India – known as the command of India – known as the RajRaj

(1757-1947)(1757-1947)

Fueled racist attitudes of British Fueled racist attitudes of British

Execution of Execution of Sepoys:Sepoys:

“The Devil’s “The Devil’s Wind”Wind”

1877:1877: Queen Victoria Queen Victoria Becomes Becomes “Empress of “Empress of

India”India”

Sikhs – Bengal Sikhs – Bengal Cavalry of the British Cavalry of the British

ArmyArmy

1515thth Ludhiana Sikhs, Ludhiana Sikhs, 18891889

How did Ram Mohun Roy, the How did Ram Mohun Roy, the “Father of Modern India”, “Father of Modern India”, want to modernize India?want to modernize India?

Move away from traditional Move away from traditional ideas & practicesideas & practices

Wanted to end rigid caste Wanted to end rigid caste system & arranged system & arranged marriagesmarriages

Adopt Western waysAdopt Western ways

Why did nationalist feelings Why did nationalist feelings start to surface in India?start to surface in India?

Indians hated being 2Indians hated being 2ndnd class class citizens in own country!citizens in own country!

What two nationalist What two nationalist groups emerged in groups emerged in India?India?

Indian National Indian National Congress (1885)Congress (1885)

Muslim League (1906)Muslim League (1906)

What were their main What were their main ideas and concerns?ideas and concerns?

Called for self-Called for self-governmentgovernment

swarajswaraj = = “independence”“independence”

Movement Towards Movement Towards IndependenceIndependence

• Indians served in armies during WWIIIndians served in armies during WWII– Fight against Nazis deepened desire for Fight against Nazis deepened desire for

independenceindependence– Seeing early Japanese victories over Seeing early Japanese victories over

European powers made them believe European powers made them believe that their colonial rulers could be that their colonial rulers could be defeateddefeated

• Europeans began to doubt morality of Europeans began to doubt morality of having colonieshaving colonies

Divisions Within IndiaDivisions Within India• 1920s – Mohandas Gandhi led 1920s – Mohandas Gandhi led

movementmovement– Indian National Congress or Congress PartyIndian National Congress or Congress Party– Peaceful disobedience (protests, non-Peaceful disobedience (protests, non-

violence)violence)– Hindu membersHindu members

• Muhammad Ali Jinnah led Muslim Muhammad Ali Jinnah led Muslim LeagueLeague– Did not think Congress Party cared for Did not think Congress Party cared for

rights of Muslims in Indiarights of Muslims in India

Divisions Within IndiaDivisions Within India

• WWII – Britain ready to give India WWII – Britain ready to give India independenceindependence– But which group should have power?But which group should have power?– Riots broke out between Hindus & Riots broke out between Hindus &

MuslimsMuslims

• Gandhi tried to end violenceGandhi tried to end violence– Assassinated by Hindu extremist for Assassinated by Hindu extremist for

protecting Muslims!protecting Muslims!

Why did the British divide or partition Why did the British divide or partition Bengal?Bengal?

Province was too large to manageProvince was too large to manage

Divided into Hindu section & Muslim Divided into Hindu section & Muslim sectionsection

Terrorism broke out – had to “re-Terrorism broke out – had to “re-partition” India to keep peacepartition” India to keep peace

Pre-PartitionPre-Partition

PartitionPartition

• British parliament British parliament passed law in July 1947passed law in July 1947– Separate Hindu & Muslim Separate Hindu & Muslim

nations of India (Hindu) & nations of India (Hindu) & Pakistan (Muslim)Pakistan (Muslim)

– However, people only had However, people only had one month to move = one month to move = more violencemore violence

Problems in Modern IndiaProblems in Modern India• Jawaharlal Nehru – first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru – first Prime Minister • India & Pakistan went to war over state of Kashmir India & Pakistan went to war over state of Kashmir

(bordered both countries)(bordered both countries)– Hindu ruler but large Muslim populationHindu ruler but large Muslim population– Conflict still occursConflict still occurs

• Nehru tried to reform societyNehru tried to reform society– Improve status of lower castes, womenImprove status of lower castes, women

• Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1964Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1964– Steps to increase food productionSteps to increase food production– Ordered attack on Sikh rebels in 1984Ordered attack on Sikh rebels in 1984– She is killed by Sikhs soon afterShe is killed by Sikhs soon after

Problems in Modern IndiaProblems in Modern India• Separatist movements continue to disrupt Separatist movements continue to disrupt

Indian societyIndian society• Pakistan had east & west parts separated by Pakistan had east & west parts separated by

IndiaIndia– Eastern part won independence in 1971 to become Eastern part won independence in 1971 to become

BangladeshBangladesh– Leader Ali Bhutto, daughter Benazir BhuttoLeader Ali Bhutto, daughter Benazir Bhutto– Power strugglesPower struggles

• Ceylon becomes independent in 1972 and Ceylon becomes independent in 1972 and became Sri Lankabecame Sri Lanka– Hindu minority Hindu minority