India

A non-violent revolution for independence

A Quiz on Modern India

• What type of government does India have?• What is the capital?• What is the total population? (approximate)• What percentage of people live in urban areas?• What is the life expectancy?• What are the major religions? Which is biggest?• What is the literacy rate?• What is the official language?• Who gets to vote, if anyone, in India?

• Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6-2hIImXok

Where Should We Start?

Background

• Mughal Empire ruled most of northern part

• Muslim empire• Akbar, the ruler, tolerant of Hindus -

puts them in important gov’t positions

• Official rulers until 1857

Rich Mughal Culture

Empire Disintegrates

• Last Expansionist Emperor Aurangzeb

• Muslim historians see him as + because he increased Muslim law

• Hindu historians see him as - ; they see him as a Muslim fanatic

• He dies, his vassals create own sovereign states - less unified

Enter British East India Company

• Started in the 1600’s as a trading company – traded spices, silks, indigo, saltpetre, & cotton

• so competitive w/ other countriies’ trade that it created its own military

British Gov’t Takes Over

• Gradual – took away company monopoly (one seller) 1813

• 1834 Company becomes a Gov’t Agency

• 1857 Indian Mutiny – Colonial office takes full control

The Sepoy Revolt

The Sepoy Revolt 1857

• British ask Sepoys (army soldiers) to bite the end off of Endfiled Rifle cartridge

• Oiled w/ pig fat• Culturally insensitive – Muslims don’t

eat pork

British Squelch Rebellion – Fierce paybacks

Sepoy Results

• Not a unified revolt - Unsuccessful• Considered the first Independence

Movement• Won’t see organized attempts at

revolting against British until WWI

Consequences of the Mutiny among British

• British Gov’t takes over via Government of India Act of 1858 – now Viceroy of India

• 3 Presidencies – Bengal, Madras, Bombay Presidency – Plus Princely States

• India now in 2 parts: British India is directly governed and Indian States are ruled by Indian Princes

• Divide & rule policy – aim to create rifts between members of different religions

• British Interests become (more) paramount

Viceroy of India • Directly in charge

of every section of admin

• His approval necessary for every law or regulation – both central & provincial

• Councils w/ Indian members were created to but had no authority

Increased British Suppression

• Vernacular Press Act 1878: restricted vernacular press

• India Councils Act of 1892 & 1909– Allow for Indian natives to be members of

these gov’t bodies, but little power– Can’t propose laws– Can’t call for a vote– Can’t debate on many subjects– Recognize need for members from both

Muslim and Hindu Communities

India 1895 – A Unified Nation?• Indian National

Congress formed 1885

• INC originally pushed for increase council power and for greater economic justice for common people – NOT originally for independence

• New middle class slowly developing

Other Nationalist Parties Form

• INC– multi-ethnic, but fairly moderate - Extreme faction splits

• The Muslim League formed in N. India – fear of Hindu domination in INC

• Increasing membership in both parties• The Unionist Party represent a

coalition of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh in Punjab (regional)

• The Sikh Party: regional, small

“Divide and Rule”• Indian Census of

1871: categorized Indians by religion

• Created idea of large communities related by religions as opposed to regions, professions, etc.

• Contributed to idea of electorates based on religion

• 1907 Partition of Bengal (NE India) -partitioned along communal lines

Indian National Congress Gets a New Leader

• Leads the INC early in his career, but not official leader later

• Works through Satyagraha to move India toward independence

New Laws by British

INC has more to fight against

• Economic Imperialism – destruction of cottage industries

• Defense of India Act 1915– The act gave the Governor General in Council the power to

make rules“...for the purpose of securing the public safety and the defence of British India and as to the powers and duties of public servants and other persons in furtherance of that purpose...”

• Rowlatt Act 1919 : Gave British ability to hold w/o trial anyone thought to be agitating against gov’t (includes revolutionaries)

British Lighten Up (a bit)

• 1917 British state publically: India will be independent some day

• Government of India Act 1919: increased Indian male voting– Certain % of voting based on

community: Anglo-Indian, Christians, Sikhs, Muslims,

– ***Represents interest groups, not general will of people

But… British StrengthAmritsar Massacre 1919

Indian Non-Violent Actions

• Boycotts of British goods• demostrations• Protests• Salt March 1930

Gandhi – hunger strikes

Salt March 1930

• A group of people walk 200+ miles to the sea to collect salt on their own

• Protest of the tax on salt

Gov’t of India Act 1935

• Gives Provinces & Princely States autonomy: the independence to run their internal affairs

• Foreign affairs still under the British• Would set up a federation

• Some don’t like – what would you think?

WWII & Decline of the British

• WWII puts Britian in a difficult spot• Colonies are expensive• British fight for freedom against

Hitler, while denying it in colonies• Increased nationalism on part of

Indians• See need for letting go – but how?

Cabinet Mission

• Group of British sent to help negotiate the end of the British Colony in India

• What will Independent India look like? Gov’t type? Voting process? Federation?

Gandhi & INC vs. Jinnah & ML

• Muslim League worried about Hindus having full control

• Don’t want to be minority