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