British Imperialism in India

The “Jewel in the Crown”

“Isms” of India

Review the basic beliefs of the religions and philosophies of India– Hinduism on Page 706-707– Islam on page 708-709– The Chart of Comparison of Basic Beliefs on

page 714

REMEMBER PEOPLE’S ACTIONS ARE SHAPED BY THEIR BASIC BELIEFS.

Caste System: “Class” System

Brahmins-Priests, scholars, philosophersKshatriyas-warriors, rulers, defense &

adminstratorsVaishyas-Merchants, traders, farmersShudras-laborers, servants Below the Caste systemPariahs-”Untouchables” menial laborers,

deal with the dead, the latrines, etc.

The British East India Trading Company

CAUSE: Through 1600s BEI set up trading posts at Bombay, Madras, & Calcutta, but the Mughal (Muslim)Dynasty kept European traders under control.– By 1707 Mughal Empire was collapsing. One by one

the maharajahs broke away.

– In 1757 Robert Clive & the company’s private troops (sepoys) defeated the Indian fortress at the Battle of Plassey.

EFFECT: BEI gains control of India.

Building the Infrastructure

CAUSE: Br build a railroad network throughout India

EFFECT: – RRs transport raw product from the interior to the

ports and manufactured goods from the coast to the interior.

– India became more profitable for Br the “jewel in their crown.”

– India developed a modern economy and becomes geographically united.

Cycle of Poverty

CAUSE: Br restricted Indian owned industries such as cotton textiles and reduced food production in order to plant more cash crops.

EFFECT: Villagers are no longer self-sufficient. Food production declines and famine sets in.

The Indians Rebel: Sepoy Mutiny

CAUSE:By 1850 Br control most of India. In 1857 the sepoys (Indian troops fighting for the Br, both Hindus & Muslims) mutiny and uprisings spread over much of India.

EFFECTS:– Br. Gov’t assumes DIRECT control of India called the

RAJ from l857 to 1947.

– Racism & mutual distrust intensifies.

Indian National Movements

CAUSE: Reformers (Rom Mohun Roy)called for India to modernize and change some cultural and religious practices. Nationalistic feelings grow. Indians began to resent discrimination by the British.

EFFECT: Hindus form the Indian National Congress in 1855 and the Muslims form the Muslim League in 1906. Both eventually call for self-government.

The Partition of Bengal

CAUSE: 1905 the Br RAJ partitions Bengal (the province acquired from France in 1763) into Hindu and Muslim sections.

EFFECT: As acts of terrorism broke out, the Br were forced to divide the province in a different way in order to avoid open rebellion.

Why is India the “jewel in the British crown”?

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