British Imperialism In India

India • 1700’s Mughal Empire is collapsing. By

1753, Control of India is up for grabs.

• 1764, The British win and they put the British East India Company in control of India.

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• Manipulated rulers of states, suggested each needed British support to keep throne

• Played rulers against each other, kept India in chaos

• Company’s army took over much of India, claiming it had to restore order

Kept India in Chaos

British East India Company

British Policies

• Indirect control

• Economic:– India produces raw materials– India buys British goods– Competition with Britain prohibited

• Economic system benefits Britain

Cotton

• India was already known for its production of cotton and textiles.

• Could be used in factories back in Britain or to produce clothing in India.

• Cheap and Lightweight.

Tea

•Tea

•Major Cash Crop for British

•Tea becomes one of Britain’s major exports around the world.

Opium

• Opium became a major source of income for the British.

• These opium balls are awaiting shipment to China.

• Opium is made from poppies grown in India

“The Jewel in the Crown”

Effects of British Rule on India• Positive

– Built railroad network– Telephones; roads; schools; irrigation; improved

healthcare. – Customs that threaten human rights are ended. The

practice of Sati and child marriage– New laws mean justice for all classes. Class system

begins to fade away.

It was important for the British to have a strong

network of transportation and

communication in India. They designed India’s

railroad system, brought telegraph and telephone

technology, a postal system, news reporting,

and banking.

Multimedia Learning, LLC COPYRIGHT 2006WRITTEN BY HERSCHEL SARNOFF & DANA BAGDASARIAN

Negative effects• Focus on cash crops produced famines. Food

was all going to Britain• Racists attitudes:Indians treated as inferiors. • Top jobs go to British. Especially in gov’t. No

power in their own country.• British try to replace Indian culture with British

culture. Religion and customs.• British made goods replace local goods. Hurts

local economy.

Think About It

• Imagine you were an Indian living in British controlled territory.

• How would you feel?

• Would you be glad they had come, or would you want them gone.

• Write down your thoughts and discuss with a partner

Indian soldiers recruited to fight for the British army, 1902.

In the long run, the British were active rulers in India.

They kept public order and ended many local wars.

The British military also trained local Indians to become soldiers.

Multimedia Learning, LLC COPYRIGHT 2006WRITTEN BY HERSCHEL SARNOFF & DANA BAGDASARIAN

The Sepoy The Sepoy Mutiny: 1857Mutiny: 1857

2-A

A Sepoy was an Indian Soldier employed by

the British to help them control the country?

These men were Muslim and Hindu.

A rumor spreads that the gun cartridges

given to them by the British are greased with

cow and pig fat.

When the British tell them that they must

bite off the tips of these cartridges to load their guns they rebel. Why

Results of Sepoy RebellionBritain eventually takes back control, but…

British ended the rule of East India Company in 1858 as result of mutiny.

• British government ruled India directly– British moved away from some social

regulations that angered many Indians– Distrust still continued between British,

Indians

Resistance to British Rule

• 1885, Indian National Congress: dominated by Hindus

• At 1st did not fight for independence.

• Wanted Indians in charge of local Gov’t.

• Muslim League: 1906, afraid of a Hindu majority. Wanted “Home Rule”; Indian’s ruling India.

Mahatma Gandhi

• Division and disorganization slowed India’s progress toward Independence.

• Gandhi was a lawyer who traveled to South Africa and fought for civil rights.

• Back in India he is a hero. Asked to lead India to Independence. Thinks India isn’t ready

• Becomes Prominent voice in Indian National Congress. Stresses Non-Violence and Civil Disobedience.

Indian Independence• After World War II, Britain’s presence and

power in India are waning.

• Grant India its freedom in 1947.

• Still conflict between Hindus and Muslims which leads to violence and eventually the formation of India and Pakistan.

• Pakistan- Muslim

• India- Hindu