British Imperialism in India

British Expands Control of India

British interests date back to 1600’s in India when trading posts set up

India acts as major supplier of raw materials during I.R. Known as “jewel in the crown” (most valuable of all British colonies)

British East India company kept control of India through use of “sepoys” (or Indian soldiers) led by British officers

Restrictions

Indians produced raw materials, but had to purchase British finished goods

Indian competition with British goods was prohibited (cheap cloth and ready made clothing from England dominated the market)

Raw materials including tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, and jute were transported on rail networks

Sepoy Rebellion

As economic problems increase, so did feelings of resentment

Rumor spread that British supplied rifles were sealed with beef and pork (two foods that hindus and muslims did not eat)

A majority of sepoys refused to accept the cartridges for the rifles

British respond by jailing soldiers who disobeyed

Sepoy Rebellion (cont’d)

On May 10, 1857 sepoys rebel by marching on New Dehli; Rebellion spreads countrywide (100,000 die)

Many slaughtered in the sepoy mutiny; British East India Co. Takes more than a year to regain control of the country.

In 1858, British gov’t takes direct command of India

Results from Sepoy Mutiny

Area under direct British control called the “Raj” (1858-1947)

India divided into 11 provinces; 250 districts which give greater control to Britain

Each district ruled by a British viceroy (governor-general)

Indians made 2nd class citizens in their own country

Discrimination

Barred from top posts in Indian Civil Service

Paid less than Europeans in similar jobs (eg. British engineer made 20 times more than Indian engineer)

Indian “caste system” determined Indian occupations; aspect of Hindu religion (4 levels in caste system; plus “untouchables”)

1st- Teaching; Scriptural2nd-Public Service3rd- Business/Merchant Class4th- Unskilled Labor(Servant Class)