British Imperialism in India

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British Imperialism in India
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British Influence Grows

• Between the early 1600s and the mid-1800s, the
  British East India Company gained trading rights,
  controlling three fifths of India.
• The British succeeded by exploiting Indias
  diversity and encouraging competition among rival
  princes in the aftermath of the Mughal collapse.

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The Sepoy Rebellion

• Indian soldiers who served the East India Company
  were called sepoys.
• Sepoys were upset British laws that they felt
  disregarded Hinduism.
• Bullets greased with animal fat offended both
  Hindus and Muslims.
• Sepoys across India rebelled in 1857 and often
  massacred British civilians.

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The Sepoy Rebellion, cont.

• The British put down the revolt by torching
  villages and slaughtering thousands of Indians.
• As a result, the British government took
  possession of India from the East India Company.
• India was now a British colony.

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Effects of British Rule

• New roads, railroads and telegraphs were built.
• Healthcare improved considerably.
• Many upper-class Indians benefited from some
  Indian policies.

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Effects of British Rule, cont.

• Inexpensive British cloth ruined Indias
  hand-weaving industry.
• Farmers were made to grow cash crops for the
  British instead of food, leading to famine.
• Massive deforestation resulted from clearing new
  farmlands.

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Opposition Develops

• The Indian National Congress formed in 1885.
• Favored peaceful protest, greater democracy,
  Western-style modernization.
• Would eventually be led by Gandhi.

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Opposition Develops, cont.

• The Muslim League formed in 1906.
• Resented the Hindu domination of the INC.
• Feared that Muslims would be oppressed under a
  Hindu government.
• Considered the possibility of a separate Muslim
  state.