THE BRITISH TAKE OVER INDIA“The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire!”
East India Company and Rebellion
For 200 years Mughal rulers governed a powerful Indian Empire
The British East India Company gained trading rights on the fringe of the Mughal Empire
As the Empire declined, the company’s influence grew
Controlled 3/5 of India by mid 1800s
Cont
India was home to many different people and cultures British encouraged competition and
disunity British goal was to make money
Did help to modernize: roads, end caste system, slavery and social change
Growing Discontent
Required Sepoys – Indian soldiers to fight Travel was against Hindu religion
Allowed Hindu widows to remarry Christian conspiracy against beliefs
New Rifles required bite the tips off cartridges Greased with animal fat – against religion
Rebellion and Aftermath
Sepoy Rebellion – Rose up against the British and proclaimed last Mughal ruler as leader
British crush the rebellion Left legacy of fear, hatred, and mistrust
British remove East India Company and place directly under the British Crown Taxed Indians for the placement of troops
there
Impact of British Colonial Rule
Controlled by a Viceroy – Ruled in the name of the Queen
British officials held other top positions Became the “Crown Jewel” of the Empire British claimed helping India to
Modernize Forced them to adopt Western
technology and culture
Unequal Partnership
India was a market and source of raw material
Better health care farming methods increased population = strain on food supply
Positives: Peace Revised legal system Transportation Schools Military
Different Views on Culture
Indian Attitudes: Ram Mohun Roy – founder of Indian
Nationalism Valued Western education but wanted to reform
traditional Indian culture Western Attitudes:
Some respected Indian theology, philosophy and culture
Others thought should be eliminated and focus on English and westernization
Indian Nationalism Grows
Western educated Indians led a Nationalist movement
Form the Indian National Congress (INC) Peaceful protest to gain ends Looked to eventual self-rule, but supported Western
Modernization Muslim League
Grew to resent Hindu domination Thought a Hindu government would oppress Muslims Formed Muslim League and began talking of a separate State