Imperialism in India

The Age of Imperialism: (The British hoped to make India the

“Jewel” of its Imperial Crown)

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The British East India Company (B.E.I.C.) was involved with trading with India as early as the 1600s.

It built trading posts and forts first along the coast, and later throughout the country to secure its business interests.

As the power of the ruling Mughal dynasty declined, the B.E.I.C. expanded its influence and took advantage of India’s fragmentation by playing rival chiefs and rival ethnic groups off each other.

Modern weaponry secured the British East India Company advancement. BEIC Agent Robert Clive almost by accident practically ruled all of India.

As the company sought a profit, so missionaries sought converts.

The British outlawed Sati (the practice whereby widows commit suicide by throwing themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre).

In 1854 the Sepoys (Indian troops that served in the BEIC Army) Rebelled against British Rule.

Why did the Indians resent the British presence??

Indians were kept out of the highest posts in government

The Brits. nipped infant Indian Industry in the bud, to keep India dependent on Brit. goods.

The British colonialists were rich, and the vast majority of Indians were poor.

The Brits forced Indians to serve overseas (which was against Hindu teachings).

Indians were Anti-remarrying

The “Tipping Point”: Bullets were greased in cow and pig fat (cows were sacred to Hindus, and pigs were forbidden to Muslims)

Indian troops in the BEIC Army were told that they had to bite off the tips of cartridges which they refused to do and later revolted.

-The British crushed the Rebellion with overwhelming force

Suppression of the rebellion

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In 1858 the British parliament formally ended the rule of the BEIC and put India directly under the control of the British crown.

A British Viceroy would rule the country

India would be referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire.”

India’s raw materials would be ruthlessly exploited

Farmers could only grow Cash Crops

that the British ordered, so many Indians lacked food.

the British did bring order and uniformity, and developed India’s infrastructure, however, it was at the price of being exploited.

Indian Nationalism loomed on the Horizon.