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12.4. Britain and India. Early Colonial Rule. East India Company controls much of India w/little interference from British gvt. Use sepoys (Indian soldiers) as private army India = Britain’s “jewel in the crown” (most valuable colony)
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12.4 Britain and India
Early Colonial Rule • East India Company controls much of India w/little interference from British gvt. • Use sepoys (Indian soldiers) as private army • India = Britain’s “jewel in the crown” (most valuable colony) • Laws req. India to buy British goods, produce raw materials for England, prevented competition from Indian industries
Sepoy Mutiny • Indians experience economic problems & racism – leads to anger & feelings of nationalism • Rumor spread that rifle cartridges were greased with beef & pork fat – must bite off end of cartridge to use • Hindus consider cows sacred • Muslims don’t eat pork • Many sepoys = Hindu & Muslim
Sepoy Mutiny • 85-90% of sepoys refuse to use new cartridges • Disobedient sepoys were jailed • Next day, sepoys march to Delhi • Riots break out all over India • English retaliate • Thoughts of restoring Mughal Empire fail • British gvt. take control over India – called Raj • Example of English attitude & response - Amristar Massacre 1919
Nationalism in India • Calls for reform • Indians were second-class citizens in their own country • Hindus and Muslims have rivalry – cannot unite; keeps English in power • Indian National Congress & Muslim League = groups calling for self-government • Eventually India = independent ; Muslims concerned about Hindu majority • Muslims declare independence & form country of Pakistan