The British Raj in India

Table of Contents

**Click on slide to go directly to topic**Brief TimelineThe “Great Rebellion”British RuleRoad to IndependencePartitionWorks Cited

Brief TimelineClick here to return to table of contents

Early 1600s: The British East India Company establishes an operation in India1700s: The Mogul Empire collapses, and the British gain dominance as a governing entity in the ensuing battle for power

British establish an army of British citizens and sepoys (Sepoys=Indian citizens fighting for British)

1800s: “Raj” becomes term for British colonization of India“Raj” is derived from the Sanskrit word for king, Raja

1857: Sepoy MutinyUprising of sepoy troops as native resentment towards British builds

1858: Peace is restored, East India Company abolished, British still rule India

British maintain control until India gains independence in 1947

The “Great Rebellion”Click here to return to Table of Contents

Included Sepoy Mutiny and Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858Very bloody and violent series of battles and uprisings against British presence in IndiaBritish forced to call in extra troops from England to quell uprisingsBegan an era of extreme racial distinctions between British and Indians

Social segregation British enjoyed life of opulence and luxuryMixed race British/Indians were not considered racially “pure” and were looked down on

British RuleClick here to return to Table of Contents

Cooperation and conciliation combined with coercion and forceBritish government made many financial and economic gains for India

Economic interests at the forefront of policy making

Pros and Cons to rulePros: contributed to and developed infrastructure, agriculture, and the education systemCons: left Indians poor and prone to famine, using Indian money to pay for British bureaucracy, retained an army larger than India’s needs, and kept economic power securly in British hands.

Road to IndependenceClick here to return to Table of Contents

The formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885

Formalized opposition to RajViolence vs. Non-violence to oppose imperial oppression

Mahatma Ghandi: leader of non-violent camp of party and leader of several national movements in early 1900sBritish Raj collapses relatively quickly in 1940s

Result of long and short term internal factors; World War II; global pressuring for end of imperialism

PartitionClick here to return to Table of Contents

In ensuing power vaccum in wake of Britain’s departure, India split up into three entities by religious affiliation: Hindu, Muslim, and Sihk

Hindu and Sihk sections remain in “India,” Muslim section becomes independent country of Pakistan“Partition” period a period of extreme violence between religions and a massive displacement of people

Works CitedClick here to return to Table of Contents

Click to go directly to websitehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/independence1947_01.shtmlhttp://history1800s.about.com/od/thebritishempire/tp/indiatimeline01.htmhttp://asianhistory.about.com/od/colonialisminasia/p/profbritraj.htm