Colonization in India

Why did the British colonize India and how did it effect the people already living there?

• What is India like prior to the arrival of the Europeans?

• Why were the British interested in India?

• The British became interested in India for two (2) reasons:

1. Raw materials

2. Consumers (300 million population)

Originally India was operated by a corporation (The East India Company)

Later taken over by the British government

• How did the people of India react to the • colonization? • Indians benefited from colonial rule: ◦ Modern goods ◦ Modern transportation ◦ Education increases ◦ Health care increases ◦ Protection • On the negative side: ◦ The British controlled the government / economy ◦ Indians were seen as “half” citizens

• Indians groups try to force out the British

• The Sepoy Rebellion (1857)

◦ Sepoy = an Indian soldier in the British army

• Offended by British military practices, Indian soldiers

revolted

◦ Cause = seals on gun cartridges

• The rebellion was eventually put down

◦ Divisions between Hindu & Muslims

• How did the Indian independence movement begin?

• The movement starts with the creation of two (2) groups:

◦ Indian National Congress (1885)

◦ Muslim League (1905)

Both wished to see India become an independent state

Negative Impact for India

• British held most of the political and economic power,

• Profitable industries such as cotton, salt, construction, tea, etc. were firmly controlled by the British.

• conversion to cash crops reduced food production, causing famines in the late 1800s,

• Loss of cultural practices and language,

• Divisions between “Anglicized” elites and traditional Indians,

• Humiliation of being “inferior” in one’s own home.

Positive Effects of Colonial Rule

• Railroads (the third-largest network in the world at the time) enabled India to develop a modern economy and connected regions,

• A modern road network, telephone and telegraph lines, dams, bridges, and irrigation canals were created,

• Sanitation and public health improved.

• Schools and colleges were founded, and literacy increased.

• British troops cleared central India of bandits

• End to local warfare among competing local rulers.

Colonial Indian Architecture

• The Dutch, Portuguese and the French made their presence felt through their buildings but it was the English who had a lasting impact on architecture.

• In the beginning of the colonial rule there were attempts at creating authority through classical prototypes.

• http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-architecture/colonial-architecture.html

Indo-Saracenic

• Combined the features of Hindu, Islamic and western elements

• Exhibited itself through institutional, civic and utilitarian buildings such as post offices, railway stations, rest houses and government buildings

• Also took inspiration from existing architecture in India

• Norm for the Anglo-Indian church builders to follow the model set by the revivers

• Imperialism was the sole guiding force rather than practicality

• Heavier styles than Gothic were employed

Mutiny Memorial Church at Kanpur

• Italian Gothic was seen to be well adapted to conditions in India

• Great public building campaign launched in Bombay

• Sir Gilbert Scott's buildings were significant products

William Emerson's Crawford Market

Bombay high court

Victoria terminus (now Shivaji terminus)