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British India
IndiaColonization occurs long before Africa, therefore
decolonization begins earlier
¾ Hindu¼ Muslim
From Trading Post to Colony• British East India Company had trading
rights during Mughal Empire• Mughal Empire collapsed in 1757, BEIC took
control with Sepoy force• Sepoy Mutiny (Great Rebellion) in 1857 -
warning to British government• Queen Victoria’s government took direct
control of the Raj in 1857
Sepoy Mutiny1857
British India
• Upper class Indian bureaucracy given some local power – indirect rule (but British made decisions and passed laws, not Indians)• Began to become a louder voice for self-rule• Indian National Congress established in 1885 began to
push the issue with surging Indian nationalism• New identity in some ways created by British presence
1st Indian National Congress 1885
Mohandas Gandhi• Indian middle class background• Appealed to Western-educated and the masses• Sollicitor trained in London• Head of National Indian Party from 1920• Non-violent protest based on civil
disobedience• Boycotts elections• Boycotts British products, schools, courts• Refuses to pay taxes• Organizes strikes• Organizes mass demonstrations• Supports Satyagraha or
truth force/soul force
Video: Gandhi’s Non-Violent Speech
British India• Upper class Indian bureaucracy given some local power –
indirect rule (but British made decisions and passed laws, not Indians)• Began to become a louder voice for self-rule• Indian National Congress Party• Formed in 1885 with British blessing• Forum through which views of educated Indians could be made
aware to the British government• Members become alarmed at growing racism of Brits to
Indians, realization of shared grievances, and growth of common Indian identity.
• New identity in some ways created by British presence
Gandhi and Salt March 1930protesting British monopoly of salt
Video: Gandhi and the Salt March scene
Steps to India’s Independence pre WWII• London signs the India Act 1935• Gives form of political autonomy
• 1942 Congress Party launches “Quit India” campaign• Leaders arrested• Massive violence erupts
On the Road to Independence• Postwar period, negotiations resume• UK accepts principle of independence• Wants guarantees that country will remain unified and minority
(Muslims) rights protected
• Bloodbath between Hindus and Muslims• 1946 Great Killing of Calcutta
Victory at Last but with a bitter taste
• British grant full independence 1947 with partition• Territory divided into 2 nations: India and Pakistan• Extreme violence between communities (300 – 500 thousand deaths, 10-15
million people migrate
• Gandhi assasinated by Hindu extremist in 1948
Great partition of India and Pakistan 1947
Jawharlal Nehru• 1929 becomes president of Congress Party• Fights for total Indian independence• Becomes Prime Minister of India until his death in
1964
Video: Partition of India 15’