Imperialism in India

World History: Libertyville HS

Native IndiaMughal Empire (1526-1857)

Empire founded by Mongols Ruled most of northern and

central India

Fell into decline in early 1700s

Southern Indians were getting stronger

European forces getting stronger

European Imperialism BackgroundBritish East India Company (EIC) exploited weakness of Mughals

Founded in 1598 by British merchants

Competed against Dutch, French trading companies in India

Became favorites of Mughals during 1600s

Eventually turned on Mughals, defeated them

Became leading European power in India after 1757

British East India CompanyOfficially, British government regulated the EIC

Actually, EIC ruled India after 1720

Gov’t needed money to fight wars

EIC loaned money to British government in exchange for free hand in India

EIC maintained a private army, staffed by former British officers and sepoys (native troops)

“Jewel in the Crown”Most valuable of Britain’s colonies

New market of 300 million for British goods

Ind. Rev created surplus of mfg’d goods in Britain

Laws restricted sale of Indian goods, forcing them to buy British

Indian Raw Materials & Cash Crops

Tea

Coffee

Cotton

Opium

Effects of Indian ColonialismPositive effects

Major railroad network built, making India the world’s most connected country

Infrastructure built up, strengthening country (roads, canals, telephone lines, irrigation, dams)

British built schools & college, increasing (English) literacy

British cleared India of bandits, ending local tribal warfare

Effects of Indian Colonialism

Negative effects British held all political &

economic power and kept industrialization low

Emphasis on cash crops hurt native villages

Racism threatened traditional Indian way of life

Social division Upper class Indians

becoming “British” Lower class Indians clung to

their traditions

Sepoy Mutiny (1857)

Rumors spread that cartridges for guns of sepoy were sealed with pig or cow fat

Sepoy had to bite cartridge to break seal

Muslims don’t eat pork Hindus considered cow sacred

Both religious groups were outraged and refused the cartridges

British handled it badly, imprisoning sepoy who refused cartridges

Sepoy Mutiny

Sepoy rebelled, slaughtering their white officers and other British citizens

Uprising spread throughout India

Brutal fighting occurred, as both sides tried to kill the other side completely

EIC needed British gov’t help Indians failed to coordinate their

attacks against the EIC, British Result was that British Army

crushed mutiny

The Raj (1857-1947)British cabinet minister put in charge of India

British governor carried out orders of Home Government

Increased racism Led to birth of Indian

Nationalism Indians resented 2nd class

status in own countryDenied good jobs

Paid less than whites Nationalist groups formed,

gained popularity

Mohandas GandhiLawyer and leader of Indian independence movement

Pioneered resistance to British domination

Mass civil disobedience Total non-violence

Inspired civil rights movements around world

Assassinated by another Indian nationalist in 1948 b/c of his tolerance of Muslims