The British in India

•United Kingdom uses British East India Company to control India's government & military

•UK -Attitude superiority

British East India British East India Company AgentsCompany Agents

Sepoys, 1850sSepoys, 1850s•Hired Indian soldiers

•Rebel against UK: B/c rumor bullets are greased with cow & pig fat(Cows- sacred to Hindis/Pigs- taboo for Muslims)

•Those who refuse to load rifles- arrested

•Sepoys rebel killing 50 European men women and children

The Sepoy Mutiny: The Sepoy Mutiny: 18571857

First War for IndependenceFirst War for Independence

Areas of the Sepoy Mutiny, 1857Areas of the Sepoy Mutiny, 1857

Execution of Execution of Sepoys:Sepoys:

“The Devil’s Wind”“The Devil’s Wind”

Result: of Sepoy Rebellion

•UK parliament transfer power of the British East India Co. – to English government

1877: Queen Victoria Becomes 1877: Queen Victoria Becomes

“Empress of India” “Empress of India”India becomes formal UK India becomes formal UK

colony colony

•Largest Largest colony 300 colony 300 mil. peoplemil. people

““jewel in the crown”jewel in the crown”

Queen Victoria in Queen Victoria in India India

Benefits Benefits • Stable efficient government• New school system (only

serves upper-class) 99% pop. Are peasants

• Railroads, telegraph, postal service

Theosophical Library – Theosophical Library – Madras, 1913Madras, 1913

Darjeeling Railroad, Darjeeling Railroad, 1880s1880s

CostsCosts• Local economies destroyed by British

Manufacturing• British Textiles put 1,000’s out of work

(mostly women)• Tax collectors abuse peasants• Indians forced to grow cotton-not food

led to FAMINE• British Rule is degrading – take best

jobs & houses• Arrogant racist attitudes lead to

nationalist movement

A LifeA Lifeofof

LeisureLeisure

Living Like a MaharajahLiving Like a Maharajah

Simla: Little England in Simla: Little England in the the

mountains of India mountains of India

the Indian National Congressthe Indian National Congress

1885 1885 formed in response to British formed in response to British dominationdomination

swarajswaraj “independence.” “independence.” ** the goal of the movement. the goal of the movement.

Made up of English- educated upper classMade up of English- educated upper class

Mostly HinduMostly Hindu

the Muslim League the Muslim League 19061906

Formed due to rivalries between Formed due to rivalries between Hindus & Muslims.Hindus & Muslims.

Mohandas K. Gandhi,1876Mohandas K. Gandhi,1876

•English educated lawyer emerges as leader

•Sees racial exploitation while working in South Africa

•Promotes nonviolent resistance against unjust laws

Gandhi as a Young Gandhi as a Young Barrister in NatalBarrister in Natal

Gandhi as a Lawyer in Gandhi as a Lawyer in Johannesburg, So. AfricaJohannesburg, So. Africa

Mohandas GandhiMohandas Gandhi

Independence Independence MovementMovement

•Goal: force British to improve the lot of the poor & grant independence

•Called “Mahatma” (great soul) resisting unjust laws was moral path (peaceful protests & marches)

•Movement leads to an Indian cultural revival in literature, poetry, social reform & spirituality

Salt March, 1930Salt March, 1930

MakingMakingSaltSalt

Hunger StrikeHunger Strike

Salt March, 1930Salt March, 1930

MakingMakingSaltSalt

Pre-PartitionPre-Partition

PartitionPartition