Have you ever heard of the phrase:?

“Jewel in the Crown.”

Since the 1500’s, Great Britain (England) worked to expand their empire.

The more lands under Britain’s control meant more materials it had and more products it could sell.

Great Britain had lands all over the world. A popular phrase that British people would say was, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.”

But the crown jewel of the empire, the place that brought the most profit and wealth, was India.

With its raw materials and 300 million people to sell to it was not surprising

In the 1600’s, the British East India Company set up trading posts in a few major Indian cities.

By the 1700’s the East India Company basically took over India with its own private army, staffed by Indian soldiers called Sepoys.

In the 1800’s, the British government got more involved in security, government and regulating trade in India.

India provided huge amounts of raw materials that could be sent to Britain.

Britain’s factories could then manufacture goods from it.

India’s 300 million people were also a large market for British goods.

Unfortunately, there were less benefits for the native Indians.

Britain did not allow Indians to manufacture for themselves. They had to buy British goods only.

The British did set up a railroad network, but it only transported British goods.

Grown in India Refined in England

In 1857, Sepoys, which were Indian soldiers in the British army, rebelled.

already resented the British for their control and their poor treatment of the natives.

The rebellion broke out over the lubricant on a rifle.

The British Rifle.

Rumors spread that the cartridges for the Enfield rifle were lubricated with beef and pork fat.

Soldiers had to bite the seal off of the cartridges before loading.

Hindu Indians were offended because cows are sacred to their faith.

Muslim Indians were offended because pork was considered a pollutant.

Sepoys that refused to use the cartridges were jailed.

The next day, the Sepoys rebelled. Fighting lasted for over a year. Finally,

the East India Company regained control.

After that, the British government was much more involved in controlling India.

The Fate of rebellious Indians

The British now felt more disgust with the Indians.

Their racist attitudes dominated Indian social life.

“It is the consciousness of the inherent superiority of the European which has won for us India. However well-educated and clever a native may be, and however brave he may prove himself, I believe that no rank we can bestow on him would cause him to be considered an equal of the British officer.”

- LORD KITCHENER, British Commander of the army in India

Not until 1947 would India find independence and equality.

China had become an increasingly important member of the global community

Western economic pressure forced China to open to foreign trade and influence

Out of pride in their culture, the Chinese looked down on all foreigners