British Imperialism in IndiaBritish Imperialism in India

IndustrialRevolution

Source forRaw

Materials

Markets forFinishedGoods

EuropeanNationalism

MissionaryActivity

Military& NavalBases

EuropeanMotives

For Colonization

Places toDump

Unwanted/Excess Popul.

Soc. & Eco.Opportunities

HumanitarianReasons

EuropeanRacism

“WhiteMan’s

Burden”

SocialDarwinism

AdvancedWeaponry

British East India CompanyBritish East India Company• Intervened in local wars that

pitted Muslims against Hindus.

• Won trade monopolies from Mughal Empire

• Trained Indian soldiers (Sepoy)

• Competed for and won territory from French imperialists.

Robert Clive and the Battle of Plassey: 1757Robert Clive and the Battle of Plassey: 1757

• Pitted Muslim nawabs and French against British and Hindus.

• Gave British important Bengal region of India.

““Company Men” in IndiaCompany Men” in India• Direct Rule

– Three Presidencies Established:

• Madras • Bombay• Calcutta

• Indirect Rule of “Princely States”– British controlled local princes

through agents in their courts

The British Raj 1818-1857The British Raj 1818-1857• Aimed both to introduce administrative and

social reform and to hold the support of Indian allies by respecting Indian social and religious customs.

• These contradictory goals led to many inconsistencies in British policies toward India. – British initially enforced caste while introducing a law

code that emphasized legal equality– Attempted to outlaw sati– Required sepoys to serve overseas

Reasons Why the British were Reasons Why the British were able to Conquer Indiaable to Conquer India

• Industrialization• Mughal disintegration• Lack of Indian identity• Hindu/Muslim conflict

The British Raj 1818-1857The British Raj 1818-1857• British political and economic

influence benefited Indian elites– created jobs in some sectors – Provided education

• Oppressed the poor– Introduction of British

manufactured goods caused the collapse of cottage industries (the traditional textile industry hurt the most).

– New taxes forced peasants to grow cash crops not food

The Sepoy Rebellion 1857The Sepoy Rebellion 1857• Discontent rose among the needy and particularly

among the Indian soldiers. • Sparked by rumor.• The rebellion was suppressed in 1858.• It gave the British a severe shock.

Results of the Sepoy RebellionResults of the Sepoy Rebellion• British eliminated the last traces of Mughal and

Company rule and installed a new government – administered from London; aided by viceroy.– India officially a member of the British Empire.– the Indian Civil Service, now controlled the Indian

masses; in theory opening all offices in colonial government to Indians

– continued to emphasize tradition & reform – maintained Indian princes in luxury – and staged elaborate ceremonial

pageants known as durbars

Economic TransformationEconomic Transformation• Expanded production and export of cash crops.• Improved infrastructure.

– irrigation systems– Railroads– telegraph lines.

• Freer movement of people into the cities caused the spread of cholera.– brought under control with new sewage and filtered

water systems

Indian Reaction to Sepoy RebellionIndian Reaction to Sepoy Rebellion

• Indian intellectuals tended to turn toward Western secular values and western nationalism as a way of developing a Pan-Indian nationalism that would transcend regional and religious differences.

• Ram Mohun Roy tried to reconcile Indian religious traditions with Western values

Indian National CongressIndian National Congress • Indian middle class nationalists convened the

first Indian National Congress in 1885 • The Congress promoted national unity and

argued for greater inclusion of Indians in the Civil Service

• It was an elite organization with little support from the masses