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Imperialism in India

Imperialism in India. World History: Libertyville HS. Native India. Mughal 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.

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Imperialism in India

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  1. Imperialism in India World History: Libertyville HS

  2. Native India • Mughal 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

  3. European Imperialism Background • British 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

  4. British East India Company • Officially, British government regulated the EIC • Actually, EIC ruled India after 1720 • Gov’t needed money to fight wars • EIC loaned money in exchange for free hand in India • British officers and sepoys (native troops) • Gurkhas (Nepal troops)

  5. “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

  6. Indian Raw Materials & Cash Crops • Tea • Coffee • Cotton • Opium

  7. Effects of Indian Colonialism • Positive 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 literacy • British cleared India of bandits, ending local tribal warfare

  8. 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

  9. Sepoy Mutiny • 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

  10. 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 • Due to disunity of Indians, they failed to coordinate their attacks • Result was that British Army crushed mutiny

  11. 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 country • Denied good jobs • Paid less than whites • Nationalist groups formed, gained popularity

  12. Mohandas Gandhi • Lawyer 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

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