British Imperialism in India

The British in India: background•India was the most important part of the British Empire.•British rule in India was called “The Raj.”•From 1610-1857 India was ruled for Britain by the British East India Company (a private trading company). It was regulated by Britain, but had immense power. For example, it even had its own army and flag)

The British East India Company• By the mid 1800s, the British East India Company

controlled 3/5 of India

Jewel in the crown

• India was at first sought after by Britain for its potential markets (300 million people).

• England considered India its most prized colony and called it the “Jewel in the crown”

• When railroads were introduced in India, raw materials were transported from the interior to the coasts, and manufactured goods from the coasts to the interior.

The “Hands-off” policy

• British didn’t want to change anything culturally or religiously except the “outrageous”.

For example:– Sati—the sacrifice of

the 1st bride at a husband’s funeral

SepoysSepoys - Indians hired by the Raj to be soldiers.•All officers were European.•British respected the caste system ( a class system where people were divided into 4 categories – varnas - ranging from spiritual leaders to manual workers).•Most sepoys were Hindu and from higher varnas. Others were Muslim.•Pockets of discontent existed for two reasons:

– There was a general feeling that the British were trying to convert Indians to Christianity.

– Some officers (and other dignitaries) felt they were superior to the natives Indians (racism)

The Sepoy Rebellion—1857

Sepoy Rebellion.•1857: Sepoys were issued new rifles and cartridges that were kept in paper greased with animal fats—beef and pork fat.•Sepoys were required to bite open the greased paper to access the cartridges.

– This was against Hindu & Muslim religious beliefs.

•The British tried to fix the situation by using vegetable oils.

– However, the damage had already been done.

– Distrust of British grew.

Sepoy Rebellion

• 1857—a group of sepoys refuse to touch cartridges.– Did not believe

cartridges were changed.

– British officers jailed those who disobeyed orders.

– Mutiny next day.

Sepoy Rebellion cont.• British put down mutiny

in one year.

• Sepoy mutiny fails because India cannot unite against British due to religious differences.

• British used Sikhs and Gurkhas (soldiers from Nepal) to stop rebellion.

Outcomes/Consequences• 1858: After the mutiny is put down, the British

government takes control of India.• Muslims did not want this.• Most Hindus would have liked Britain not to

have done so, but preferred British rule to Muslim rule (the previous rulers of India).

• The Sikhs, (the third main religious group in India) remained loyal to the British.

• Tensions began to grow.

Nationalism in India

• Further distrust grew between Britain and India (largely fuelled by racist attitudes of British).

• Two groups were formed: The Indian National Congress in 1885 and the Muslim League in 1906. Both called for self-government.

• Conflict over the control of India continued to develop between the Indians and Britain

• India finally gained independence in 1947.