IndiaIndiaThe British Are ComingThe British Are Coming

Basic BackgroundBasic Background

Home to many religions

Hinduism Buddhism Islam Sikh Jainism

Mughals 1500’s ruled by Mongol

descendants called Mughals– Babur (1526)– Akbar– Shah Jahan

Claimed to be descendent of Genghis Khan

Synonymous with wealth and luxury

Taj MahalTaj Mahal

Europeans Europeans ArriveArrive

1498 Vasco de Gama– set up bases– set up trading posts

Portuguese control some ports

Traders spread the Indian culture to Europe

Vasco de Gama

Mughal rule begins to breaks down Europeans fight each other for control

Robert Clive

Worked for the British East India co.

Led British forces over the French in India

Makes deals with local Mughal princes

One by one, forced local rulers to sign trading deals with the company

Robert Clive meets with a Mughal Prince

A Company Rules India

East India Company sets up:– system of tax collection– Set up law codes– Court System– Private Army

• Sepoys - natives who work as soldiers for the company

Company Flag

Sepoy Rebellion

1857 - issues of the bullets (meat) Captured the city of Delhi British troops sent in, takes a year to regain

control Britain supported by the Sikhs

Britain in Charge (1858)

Ruled by a governor - general (Viceroy)

Area called the “Raj”– divided into 10

provinces– built bridges, roads,

dams, canals, railway– agriculture flourished

British India Flag

“Jewel of the Crown”

Queen Victoria calls India the “Jewel of the Crown”

The best of all their colonies.

– Intelligent People– Sheltered Market– Exotic – Great Raw Materials

Impact of Colonialism

India benefits– 3rd largest railroad network– Modernized economy– Sanitation, schools, literacy

India Suffers– No political and economic power– Restriction on Indian industry– Famines– Threat to Indian culture